Do you Avoid Temptation or Resist it?

This is the time of year where temptation looms everywhere.  I'm talking mostly about the abundance of fatty foods that aren't very healthy, however, temptations could be lots of things.  Some folks struggle with drugs, alcohol, harmful relationships and even greed.  So is it better to avoid temptation or resist it?  (or maybe even give in)

My personal opinion is that it is far easier to avoid temptation than it is to resist it.  A friend of mine told me an old AA story about a man who walked home using the same path every day for 15 years.

One day, the man was walking home and was unaware that there was construction on the path to his house and they had dug a very big hole right on his path.  Since he didn't see it coming and had no idea he was in danger, he walked too close to the hole and fell in.  (We'll use the hole as an analogy to temptation)

The next day, he knew the hole was there but figured he would be very careful.  This time, he walked carefully around the edge of the hole, but he slipped and fell in anyway.

So the third day, the man decided to find another way home.

The moral of the story is clear.  It is far easier to avoid temptations than it is to resist them.  Now this particular story is told to alcoholics who go to the bar every day and end up getting drunk.  Then they become aware of the problem and try to avoid getting drunk but they don't change their habits and end up at the bar drinking when they meant to avoid the drinks.  So the advice to the alchoholic is to avoid the bar altogether.

I think this kind of advice is good for other temptations as well.  Obviously, you can't totally avoid food like you can alcohol.  You have to eat something.  However, there is no reason you can't plan your meals in advance and portion them correctly while you are in control of your emotions and willpower.  That way, all you have to eat is what you have prepared in advance.

Now, this time of year presents another problem -- what do you do about the huge quantities of food at work, school, home and everywhere you turn?  My advice is to try to ignore it as best you can.  If you have to cave in, grab only a small bite and head back to your desk.  I'd also advise you to not be so hard on yourself early in the day.  Discipline has a limited supply.  That means that if you use up all your discipline in the morning, you won't have much left by the end of the day.

So be careful.  Try to avoid temptation and if you're going to give in, do it in the morning.