You know you want it. You have got to have it. The surge of adrenaline heightens your senses and you can almost taste the fulfillment of your wish. You rationalize all the reasons that you will die without it. You need it, this minute. Life will never be the same again. So you get it. And for a brief moment, you live the thrill.

Then it hits you. The intense excitement turns to a horrible disbelief. As the pleasure fades, you realize what you did. You cannot take it back. You have created your own misery.

You can tear down in one moment what it takes a lifetime to build: trust in a marriage, confidence in a friendship, respect in your family, recognition in your profession, and love for yourself.

Were you trying to prove a point, get revenge, or defy someone with your action? Did you hope to get noticed, get attention, to do something shocking and finally be seen? Did you just want to feel alive? Were you trying to do what others least expect, to impress someone, or to take risks out of anger? Did a savvy sales associate notice your insecurities as you made a purchase beyond your means? Were you just bored, lonely, or acting out your sadness by doing something you promised to avoid?

When you react to life in this way, you allow circumstances to control you. If you choose to allow pressures to drive your decisions, then you do not act from your heart. You deny your true self, and sabotage your success. There are other ways to feel alive, other ways to feel good about life and satisfy the emptiness with true fulfillment. Self-sabotage is not the answer. Stop living under the control of your impulses, and determine to respond to life with strength and character.

Sometimes a person has a chemical imbalance that needs medical attention to aid in impulse control, or a severe addiction surrounds every decision made. If this is you, get to a doctor, get medicine, or break free from the addiction. Only you can decide to get better.

In most cases, however, the difficult task of delayed gratification is surprisingly simple to accomplish: commitment to your principles with every bit of your energy. When you feel the urgency to do something impulsive, determine to stop and give yourself some time. Think, pray, and listen. Why is it so important? What will happen if you wait, or if you never do it? What will happen if you do? Is it worth it? No excuses. Others may have influenced your past, but only you determine your tomorrow.  Help others by sharing your stories in the comments: tell us what helps you respond to the desire for immediate gratification when you know the impulse will force your life train off track.  I have added links in the comments section below to some posts where I share what helps me.

To live without regret is to be happy. To be happy is to fulfill your God-given purpose in life. To fulfill your purpose, you need a purpose-driven life. What is driving you? Be the person you want to be, who God calls you to be, with every choice you make. Have you hurt yourself or others with your choices in the past? Get forgiveness and make it right. Then start over today. You can do it!

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