Hello brothers and sisters, I am so very glad as always to see that the Lord has guided your steps and that His protective hand has been on you. I don’t know what the Lord is allowing in your life but I know it is meant for good. Even the really bad things are used for the glory of God if we allow them to be used.

So as all of you know by now I have been trying to quit smoking. The idea behind it is that the Lord would not want me to misuse this temple anymore than I already have. Research over the past 25 years has shown that, out of 100 people trying to quit smoking cold turkey, only about three to five of them will succeed. That seems like great odds to me. This brings to mind Gideon, a leader of the Israelites, he won a decisive victory over a Midianite army despite a vast numerical disadvantage, leading only 300 “valiant” men into battle. Judges 7:7

Going cold turkey…

Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Joel 2:21 KJV

How long does withdrawal last cold turkey? Everyone’s quit journey is different. For some, nicotine withdrawal symptoms last up to two weeks, but for most, the discomfort usually peaks within 1-3 days of quitting and can last 1 to 2 weeks.

This is more my style but not the tsunami of emotions and all the other stuff that goes with it. Already today I have had a range of symptoms of withdrawal and it’s only day one… not really even. I have had two over the course of the day and I STILL have the withdrawal stuff!

Without going cold turkey…

Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.
Deuteronomy 3:22 KJV

Studies have found that the most common negative feelings associated with quitting are feelings of anger, frustration, and irritability. These negative feelings peak within 5 to 7 days of quitting and may last 2 to 4 weeks.

This seems like a horrible way… Today I failed and the days before today, I gave up. Tomorrow one of two things is going to happen… I will either quit smoking or die for real. I am sick of this chain. Sick of the way it makes me feel and how I feel inside for doing it. I know this is something the Lord wants me to give up… (I can hear it now… just stop. Oh how I would if it were that easy.) Sometimes the words that come out are easy to say, hard to put into practice and yet.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33 KJV

The Stages of Change

1. Contemplation –
   • This is something I have been doing since the Lord took this away from me the first time. At the time I was smoking my life away and just one night… threw it all away and didn’t look back until a year or so went by. This time, I know why I want to quit but somehow it is harder this time.
     • For me, I have read all the papers and listened to all the doctors. I have tried all the ways to quit that they have and all the steps to it and I have tried to stay on target with it but it always fails. This time I am just going to be as Biblical about it as possible… Jesus said to die… and that is exactly what it feels like!
2. Preparation –
   • This is what I did last time without thought. So I am going to do it again… with thought I suppose.
     • Vitamin C – double dose
     • A gallon of water daily – only made it half away today…
     • Broth with wasabi
     • Plenty of rest
     • “sick” for three days. – Yes, I still have to do my responsibilities but I am going to take it easy if at all possible. thankfully my entire family wants to see this happen so I have lots of help!
     • Keep myself busy!
3. Action – This is the one that is scary… I know what it is going to be like to quit and the lie of the devil is always in the back of my mind… just one more wont make or break you… Yeah, okay…be gone with you Satan!
4. Maintenance – Just say no! The idea here is to just not do it again once free from its grip… the Bible teaches us to flee sin and to have no part in it. So I plan on running away like a mad woman…

The Symptoms

1. Having urges or cravings to smoke. Double Check
2. Feeling irritated, grouchy, or upset. Double Check
3. Feeling jumpy and restless. N/A
4. Having a hard time concentrating. Check
5. Having trouble sleeping. N/A
6. Feeling hungrier or gaining weight. N/A
7. Feeling anxious, sad, or depressed. and Check…

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Hebrews 12:4 KJV

Day One

And here we are… super random thoughts and all at the end of day one and weak in the flesh is not even the word for it. My nic fits have manifested themselves in the form of past regrets, insecurities, and a whole lot of trash thoughts. Yeah, who knew. If I kept myself in constant prayer, I would not smoke – I cried when they hit hard. So glad I drank all that water.

What it really comes down to is self-discipline, which I apparently have none of when it comes to cigarettes. However, with all of it I am glad to be one down…ish. At this point in the night I have smoked two more and it’s 2:30 in the morning. Tomorrow is a new day and I pray the Lord gives me grace and mercy to start again once I am awake. If I am blessed I will be able to get a few hours of sleep and the Lord will hold me tight and I will cling to Jesus with an iron death grip.