Buttonholes and Pretzel Clusters

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. 

Instead, I do what I hate. Romans 7:15 (NLT)

“This is trifficult!” he exclaimed in frustration while struggling to wrangle that small button through the equally small buttonhole. 

Immediately, I knew that not only was he finding it difficult to do, but he also realized that buttoning his own shirt was tricky because of the skill needed to work his little fingers and mind in unison.  

Out of the mouths of babes, as the saying goes.  

My then 5-year-old grandson, in his overwhelm and getting his words jumbled a bit, had just coined a term that succinctly describes a task that is both difficult and tricky - “trifficult”!

Want to know what I find trifficult?

Wanting a desired outcome but doing the opposite of what will bring me that desired outcome.

For instance, I want to lose weight for health reasons but I do ZERO things that will lead to that weight loss.  As a matter of fact, as I’m writing this I am currently eating pretzels covered in caramel and chocolate. And I mean COVERED.

In what universe do pretzel clusters lead to weight loss and better health? (Because I want to go to there. Any Liz Lemon or 30 Rock fans?)

Not only are my sugar-ladened pretzels not conducive to weight loss, they are actually harmful because of the inflammation sugar creates. This inflammation is what causes those of us with an autoimmune disease to see a flare in or even a progression of our disease. 

The fact that I can tell you this means I'm not ignorant of these facts.  I can't say, "But I didn't know" as the reason I continue to want one thing but do another. 

Turns out Apostle Paul also knew a thing or two about trifficult situations.

In His letter to the Romans, he admits to doing what he hates instead of doing what is right (Romans 7:15).

Paul wasn't talking about eating pretzel clusters though. He was in fact referring to continuing to sin even after having a personal, life-changing encounter with the Messiah. 

Here's where "trifficult" comes into play.

Paul, in Romans 7:16, says that the mere fact that he knows what he is doing is wrong proves he is aware of God's laws and agrees that they are right and good.

Even when we know that God's laws are right and good, it is still difficult for us to walk in them every day because of our sinful nature. 

Romans 7:17 is where things get tricky.  Here we read, "So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it."

Well, what's a pudgy, pretzel-cluster-eating gal supposed to do with this good news? 

Is there no way to ever overcome this internal struggle of wanting to do one thing but always doing the opposite?

Alone, we will always struggle with our sin nature but we're not alone, are we?

We have the Holy Spirit – the life-giving spirit that frees us from the power of sin (Romans 8:2). 

This life-giving spirit doesn't just free us from the power of sin, it frees us from the power of self.

Self-doubt. 

Self-sabotage. 

Self-destruction.

When we listen to the Holy Spirit - that quiet, internal voice that is God living in us - we unleash the power of our Creator in our life and in our situation.

If I would listen to the Holy Spirit, not only would I be able to loosen my hold on the pretzel cluster but also its hold on me. 

Dearly loved, God sent the Holy Spirit to help us. 

We are not left alone to try to do what only the Holy Spirit can. 

God, in His sovereignty, has provided a way for us to do what is right by dwelling within us. 

Our sin nature is only overpowered by God Himself.

Will you listen more closely to the Holy Spirit– your helper– so that you can let go of what is keeping you from doing those right things you know and want to do?  

With God, it’s not trifficult. 

Just ask my grandson.  

He finally had victory over that button he first struggled with. 

It just takes time and accepting the help available to us.