Sometimes we are not ready to give up a sin. We say to the Lord what St. Augustine said to him: "Soon, Lord, but not now." We are afraid that we can't live without the momentary pleasure we get from this particular sin or we don't think we have the strength and will power to do so. We fail to realize that on our own we can't. But in Christ we can do all things.

Paul reminded us of his own struggle and breakthrough. "The desire to do right is there but not the power. I do, not the good I will to do, but the evil I do not intend....There is a law of sin within me. What a wretched man I am! Who can free me from this body under the power of death? All praise to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Jesus has already won the victory through his death and resurrection. I need to learn how to turn to him in dealing with every habitual sin. In surrendering myself to his control, I release to him the very sin I find hard to give up. I choose instead to say and mean: "Jesus, I love you." I love you more than this sin. I offer this desire and weakness to you as a sacrifice of love.