Sugarcoated: Finding Sweet Release From CravingsSample

Struggles related to sexual needs and temptation are mentioned in the Bible 187 times. Even King David, a man after God’s own heart, was not immune.

Smitten by her beauty, King David summoned Bathsheba to his chambers, knowing full well she was the wife of Uriah, one of his elite soldiers. Bathsheba later discovered she was pregnant and informed David, who was determined to cover up the sin. Calling her husband in from the battlefield, David hoped Uriah would sleep with Bathsheba, making it look as if the child was his. But instead of obeying David’s orders, Uriah slept in the quarters of the palace servants, refusing to enjoy a respite with his wife while his men were still on the battlefield. Then David concocted a more sinister plan: he commanded his military leader, Joab, to place Uriah on the front lines of battle and then to purposefully fall back from him. Uriah was exposed to enemy attack and killed in battle.

David and Bathsheba got married, but their infant son died, and calamities were cast upon David’s family for generations.

Like David, our lives are filled with a range of human emotions. We celebrate on mountaintops and mourn in the valleys. But also like this shepherd boy who became king of Israel, we must lift our eyes up to our maker and give Him praise. David humbly begged God for forgiveness and celebrated in knowing he was forgiven. David authored much of the book of Psalms; more importantly, he is part of the lineage of Jesus. Knowing all the wise and disastrous decisions David would make, God still chose him to be part of the royal blood line.

Oh, friend, I’m hoping you see a trend. God chose you. Many of the people in the Bible whom He chose to lead and uplift are the ones who struggled, who were bewildered, and who felt they had nowhere to turn. Those stories are included to serve as a reminder that God has an incredible plan for each of us! He will bring peace out of your pieces. Knowing we are sinners in one way or another, Jesus takes our sins upon Himself and says, “I love you anyway.”

That, my sister, is the most perfect ending to any love story. Netflix will never top it. Pure love within the confines outlined by God is a very beautiful thing.