Need Help

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:43 am

Hi Mary:
Decided to share somethings with you about my process of quiting smoking cigs.
I didn't just up and quit one day out of the blue.
I had smoked for years. And for years I'd thought that I didn't want to.
I'd been "trying" to quit for 20 years. During those 20 years I'd gone to countless 'smoking cessation" classes and seminars. Once I paid $300 for a class and didn't quit for a single day.
Also I thew away many packages of cigs and cartons of cigs. Hopeing that would make me stop.
Oh yes, i knew all the dangers of smoking. And relatives didn't want me to smoke in their houses. So it was a very inconvenience to smoke.
I've stood out in the rain and smoked .
None of that made me quit.
Health reasons didn't make me quit.
I really thought that I couldn't. I thought it was too hard. I smoked so much that they tasted horrible after awhile. But I'd still light up. I was nervous and I imagined that it helped to hold that Cig.

SO I kept at it.
I got so I hated to go to church because I knew that my hair and clotes reeked of the smell of them.
I really didn't feel good. And they did cost money.
My curtains in my home reeked of the smell. My lamp shades did. Everything did.
And I'd caugh taking my trash out. I'd caugh at night.

One day I went somewhere. I came home and opened the door to my home to go in. The smell of stale tobacco smoke rushed out to meet me.
I was turned off by it. Really turned off.
I realized that I was very disgusted with it all.
At last I really wanted to be shed of that.
Not for my health. Not for my kids. But I wanted a fresh home to walk into . I really wanted to be free more than I wanted to smoke.

So I got back in the car and went for some of those patches. I threw the cigs away and this time it stuck.
Because I wanted to be free.
I remembered all those tips I'd heard in those stop smoking classes and I put them to use.

And I was so surprised to find out that although it was hard , it wasn't near as hard as I'd imagined it was going to be. Within 12 weeks I was feeling much better.
It has been over 12 years now.

I think that the material that Keithjoy was telling you about would probably be very helpful.
When you are trying to quit for your health it gets kind of scary. You are afraid you'll fail.

I think that it became easier for me when I finally just didn't want to do it anymore.
I tried for 20 years.
But when that day came that I couldn't stand being a slave to them anymore, then I had some success.

However, if I ever smoked another cig. I'd probably be hooked again.
And I don't think that I would last long either.
But I don't want to do it.

Anyway, I wish you success someday. Don't hate yourself when you slip up. Just pick yourself up and try again. It is worth it.
MJ

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 13, 2009 10:06 am

Cornflower, Thanks for sharing your story with me. It did help to know that someone else struggled with the quitting process. I have decided not to beat myself up about it anymore when I fail. I will just get back up and try it again. I have smoked for a little over 40 years and it is hard to break the patterns, but with God on my side I will overcome!
Thanks again and you be blessed

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 13, 2009 10:13 am

Keithjoy, Thanks for your words of wisdom. I do know that God can and will heal anything we give Him and I know that He will deliver me from smoking and heal my lungs.
God really speaks through you kj, so keep up that close walk with Him and you will suceed at all you do.(All things are possible)
I will check out Lifeway and see what they have available.
You are such a good listener, and I hope someday I will be able to help you out some.
Blessings my friend..........

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:10 am

oh, thank you Mary... that was help just hearing how i've helped you... so thanks for telling me that... something i would love for you to pray about with me... my husband is being considered for another interim pastorate which means if this is really what God wants, we will relocate to wyoming for 4 out of 7 days... that scares me a little... but i do want to follow our LORD's leadership and support my husband... it could be lots of fun... we've been living in utah for 13 years now and the mormon influence sometimes gets me down... this would be a wonderful opportunity to have neighbors that are not necessarily mormons... then again, they might be... my husband said during an interview where the question was,"how hard is it for a Southern Baptist preacher to work in utah"... his reply was that "they are just lost people needing a Savior like every other lost person"... that perspective has helped me live here ... they are the cleanest, nicest lost folks you will ever live around... and many good things about their values and work ethic... just wish they would know and accept the Truth... you can also pray that their prophet Monson would see the real Truth and lead the people in the right direction... that would be a miracle ... wonder of wonders.... miracle of miracles.... anyway when you said you wanted to be of help to me sometime... well this could just be that time to pray for God's clear answer about wyoming and prophet Monson... thanks for all you do for kingdom growth... much LOVE<
kj

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 15, 2009 4:42 am

Keithjoy, It is always a pleasure to pray for someone, so here goes....
Lord Jesus I just come before you right now, lifting up my friend kj. Father God you know it is in her heart to serve you and she wants to do what is right in your eyes. God I ask that you give peace and clarity to kj and her husband about this interim pastorship. Then Father God I also lift up prophet Monson of the Morman faith. Lord, I ask that you show him truth in Jesus, help him to lead and teach his people about faith in Jesus Christ. We are all your children God, and sometimes we need help on the way. Please send help for these requests
in Jesus name......Amen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 15, 2009 1:22 pm

oh thank you, Mary... remember in Proverbs where it says that when you seek much counsel, your plans will succeed?... (can't remember chapter and verse) ... well i feel like this is what i've just done with you and Jesus... thanks for bringing us to the Father seeking His good and pleasing and perfect will to be done... you are an inspiration to me and and gift from God...
much LOVE,
kj

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 16, 2009 7:48 am

kj, It's always a pleasure to help and pray for those seeking God's will. And I really think that you are the one who is the inspiration here, I just did what I have always tried to do.
You be blessed, and much love back to you,
Mary

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 16, 2009 8:00 am

Ms.T Bones, You are right and I am under alot of stress right now. I did try a nicotine patch this morning but my heart rate increased alot so I finally took it off, but am still doing well. I go over my stress list everyday and give it to God (at least the ones I know I can't handle) I guess I just let things pile up on me. Of course my old way of thinking was to give it to God and walk away and that is not necessarily the case. Sometimes we have to walk thru the situations, not away from them.
Hoping all is well for you and thanking you for your imput once again,
Mary

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 18, 2009 5:11 am

hi Mary,... just wanted to bring you up to date on the answer God has given to your prayer... we went to WY Saturday night to meet some of the folks on the Pastor Search committee and can i just tell you that when we crossed the WY state line i had an incredible peace like God was letting me know this is where HE wants us... then when we met the folks, it was confirmed even more... the church will lots of prayer ... they expressed needing unity, leadership, direction and programs/activities for mission-minded projects to help the community and share Christ with the lost there... it was such a wonderful time spent with them... we go back this coming Sunday to preach "in view of a call"... so i would appreciate more prayer for this day....

"Dear LORD, thank you soooooooooo much for Mary L. Smith and her love for YOU!... she has been such a blessing to me in this time of adjustment and seeking YOUR will... thank you for her faithfulness to YOU and the opportunities you give her to pray and help others... i LOVE YOU soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much and am thankful for the opportunity to serve YOU and tell others about all you have done for me.... and please, LORD, continue to heal and help Mary with the smoking situation in her life... LORD, YOU are in control ... all we need to do is submit to YOUR good, pleasing and perfect will...YOU'RE AWESOME!!!... in Jesus' Holy Name i pray, amen."

... may you have a wonderful blessed day Mary and thanks again!
much LOVE,
kj

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 18, 2009 5:46 am

Kj, So glad to hear things went so well for you. I just had the feeling you would end up in Wyoming! May God continue to fill you both with peace and joy and enthusiasim.
Love, lrayers and blessings,
Mary