Smoking
I have always assumed that if ever presented with the opportunity to try a cigarette it would be easy to say no, I know the dangers of smoking, I believe that it is a stupid thing to do, and I always assumed that this knowledge would keep me from trying one. However, it was surprisingly difficult yesterday when I found a pack of cigarettes and a lighter on the job site where I was working, I have always wondered what it would be like to smoke, there is obviously something there because so many people do it. I think it would have been way easier if someone had offered me one, because then I would have had someone to say no to, but it was just me and I knew that I could try one and no one would ever know. Well at first I decided not to so I put the pack aside and went on with my work, but the fact that the pack was still there still tempted me. So one after another I destroyed the cigarettes so that the temptation would be gone, but I was surprised at my own compulsion to try it. I don’t know why I felt so eager to try one despite my knowledge of the ill effects. it gave me something to think about that is for sure.
Posted under Uncategorized
it’s the only true way to get rid of temptation…you have to destroy it.
but there are always temptations that one cannot destroy and in order to not give in one must practice not to give in on the smaller temptations.
You’re right. It is amazing how dificult it is to say no when you are saying no to yourself. I also find it amazing how many people smoke even though they know it’s bad for them.
This is coming from a former smoker. I’ll see if I can try to shed some light on it. This is my story. Other people start and quit smoking for their own reasons, these are mine.
There are two guys that I hung out with from about age 12 to approximately age 17. For most of that entire time we were together doing something. Most of the time what we were up to was not good. I can’t remember if it was John or Hector that started smoking first, but withing two weeks the other and I had also tried them out. I was 14 when this happened. It took about six months but I fairly quickly turned into a pack-a-day smoker. The biggest reason behind my starting was because my best friends that I had ever had were doing it and I wanted to fit in. I needed to feel like I was a part of a something cool.
It was while hanging out with these two that I got into most of the trouble I got into. There are a lot of stories that I can’t tell on such a public forum as this.
It was about ten years later before I quit for good. By that time it had a pretty good hold on my, not just physically, but psycologically as well. It was more than just a physical addiction. There were ten years of habit patterns built into it by then. It was very hard to quit, but it can be done. I was in Taekwondo at that time, and I was seeing how hard it was to breath when I went to work out. At that point I saw how much it was just not worth it. It was hurting me and I could feel the differance.
The first cigarette you try does not affect you the same as when you’ve smoked for a while. Your body isn’t used to the toxins in the smoke so you have a very strong reaction to it. When you inhale the first time your body instantly tries to get rid of the smoke. Your body fights it. It burns your throut and lungs, and you get really light headed. Sometimes it can make you feel sick to the stomach, vomit, or cough really bad for a long time. You feel your lungs actually physically hurt for about thirty minutes or so, and your breating feels noticably restricted. All of this is for your first cigarette.
Once you smoke for a while you build a tollerance for the smoke, but it’s still harming your body. It’s just not worth it. The only reason people smoke is to fit in with the crowd. They think it’s the in thing.
You’re surprised??? This is what we christians call temptation
Oh, by the way, sorry about writing a book on your site. It just happened to be something I have experience with and feel strongly about.
I’ll try to keep my ranting on my own site.
the important thing is you said “No” the first time…once the answer “OK” has been given once, no matter what the temptation is, changing the answer is like trying to push a car in the opposite direction it is rolling.
I’m thinking…you need to update. I’m also thinking it’s november and your last post was in october…..??????
Good point, a new post would be nice.
What’s happening in the life of Zay?
There is another reason people smoke…the stress relief. Of course, there is a definite and scientifically proven relief that comes from the chemicals/smoke combination, but the true relief is that moment that one takes to stop the whole world for as long as it takes to light up the little roll of compost and chemicals, and then to just do nothing but inhale… in a world where “I’m in a hurry and don’t know why” could be a theme song for a country, it’s that break from problems and people that is so addicting to some. There are others with other reasons, of course, but this one is common. One of my closest friends went through this recently.
ha. wrote all that and forgot to include the point…this is the reason finding our peace in God is so important. One of the simplest truths in the world is that God is a God of peace. Not hiding in a closet peace, but you can have confidence in what He thinks of you and what you’re doing peace. If you don’t find out how to rest in that peace, you will soon be addicted to a “peace counterfeit” from the enemy that will not heal – only dullen – your turmoil. As long as you do it again. and again. and again. And for as many years as you use a peace counterfeit, you will mature not one bit in the area of receiving peace from God.
Add A Comment