A young man who had graduated from a drug treatment program visited with a preacher friend and told him about the HALT! principle. He had been warned that he was most vulnerable to acting out of his addictive habits when he was "H"ungry, "A"ngry, "L"onely or "T"ired. In those times, he was told to HALT and assess his actions and avoid his weaknesses.

We should HALT, KNEEL, and PRAY!

Whether dealing with recognized addictive sin or not, many people make foolish, impulsive decisions that they regret later because they are emotionally on fire. We often react rather than respond to a difficult situation. This is especially true when we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. We, too, need to HALT! and seek the wisdom of God and the leading of His Spirit.

Rather than automatically giving in to our emotions and "casting caution to the wind," we should HALT, KNEEL, and PRAY. In that moment, we can ask the Lord for wisdom, direction, and self control.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32 NKJ). Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ... But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:13-18). My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:2-5).

See the Morning by Chris Tomlin Award-winning artist Tomlin offers a whole new set of soul-inspiring easy-to-sing songs about God's faithfulness.

Mike is a pastor and writer for a number of online publications.

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