I freely confess that I have not done well with the challenge to give up TV for lent.  I have many excuses, at least one of them is pretty solid. Nevertheless, the root of the issue is that I don’t think I can do it. I believe the lie that I need the distraction of television to give me rest and peace.  The fact that I have had nothing to share for almost a week is evidence of the need I have to eliminate, or at least reduce this distraction from my life.  Less time in God’s presence results in less worthwhile input, thus, no output–no blog!

My past experiences of dieting, which is merely a self-centered version of fasting, has rarely been successful. Did you ever see the “I Love Lucy” episode where she tries to go on a diet and she hides bologna in the family Bible, to sneak and eat in secret?  That is me.  I gain more weight in one week of dieting that I do in a month of normal eating. Fasting from food creates an affliction from hunger, but not much free time.  I have been guilty of filling meal time with some work or activity that distracts from the affliction, instead of using it to pray, praise, or read my Bible. This pretty much defeats the purpose. 

I took my own advice and watched the Wisdom Island video on renewing the mind again.  I have formulated statements to practice repeating. “Television does not give me rest or peace.  Television exposes me to violence and sins that trouble my spirit and disturb my dreams. It influences my thoughts and behavior adversely. Television wastes my time and robs me of time with God, family and friends.” 

To replace my fear of failure, I need affirmations, especially words from the Bible: “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).   By prayer and petition… the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable—if anything is excellent or worthy of praise, watch, listen to, read, or do such things (Philippians 4:8).   It helps to personalize the verses and modify to reflect the change I am trying to make.

Giving up TV frees a lot of time for me.  I am trying to be intentional about how I fill the time.  If you are fasting media, ask the Lord what to fill that time with and schedule it. Prayer, worship, and Bible study are all good ways. Visiting the sick, taking a meal to someone who is homebound, or taking a widowed friend to lunch are forms of worship.  Make a list of people you haven’t connected with recently and plan to call someone each day.  

Watching or listening to media is a sedentary activity. Spend an hour at the gym; take a walk alone to enjoy nature and talk with God.  Or invite someone you haven’t spent time with recently to walk with you. Clean up a mess or do a chore that you have been avoiding.  If you are a caretaker, overworked, or stressed, just take some time to care for yourself.   

I hope to make lent count.  Perhaps just wringing my hands and feeling afflicted for two or three hours a day while my family watches TV is what the pastor intended.  But I think not.  God is continually about transforming us so that we don’t go back to former poor choices and habits.  After Easter, we can all be “newer” creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).