Winds of Change

 

Hi to all of you in this Faith and Fitness Community!

How was Christmas and the start of this New Year so far?  This last month has been incredibly beautiful and I sincerely hope this is finding you having had some sunshine, rest and rejuvenation for the fall and another season ahead.  I know it has been good for me as I felt so "off" just before a much needed vacation time!  As I write this I'll ask for a prayer for my first road race coming up this weekend!

As a kid I don't know about you but I always got a little bit of a sense of dread at all of the Back-to-school commercials  on TV and all the signs that popped up everywhere in the stores that just said "change" was about to happen. The very thought of it can just simply elicit  some anxious feelings.  Can anyone relate?

I am incredibly thankful everyday for the journey I have been on for the past couple of years, the closeness and growth it has brought me with the Lord and with many of you! It is because of that that "changing seasons" don't quite affect me in the same way and if they do I have a different way to handle the feelings that can come and that ultimately the change most often is good for me!

CHANGE requires correction.  The Lord is always stirring us if we are sensitive to His Spirit for our good and His best for us!  However, if we do not know how much we are loved we do have a harder time receiving that correction.

     Hebrews 12: 6; For the Lord disciplines and corrects those He           loves, and he punishes every Son (or daughter) He receives. 

Wait a minute! This isn't  good news here!?  "Punish" as a word alone can carry  negative connotations in our culture today to the point that we may be led to think it should not even apply to us!

I heard it once said that we would not question a gift if we did not question the giver.  God is the Giver of life and wants it for us along with a close relationship with you and me.  

Together let's reframe our thoughts regarding the word "punish" stay with me for what I felt I had downloaded for me and maybe you too for this upcoming changing season.

Punish could be equated to "train" or a more modern term like "constructive criticism".  No matter how soft or hard it is worded it still means that change is required!  Our pride doesn't like that nor do our "comfort zones"!!

Diet culture and fitness trends are always talking about changing us because something must be wrong with how we are and when is  that change complete exactly and what does it look like?

God is not wanting to change us for the sake of it or because he made an error in His original design that He created in Love rather He is in the business of TRANSFORMATION.  This is very different from just "change".  This is also not only for a select few but for each and every one of us uniquely! Wow! Thank you God that you think of each of us so intimately!  Now, you may be thinking this sounds like a lot of "faith" talk but what would it have to do with my fitness and wellness?  I mean where is the exercise advice or nutrition information?  Let's not get ahead of ourselves.  We got excited about transformation but let's just slow right down and get back to the word "punish" first and how we may be thinking about that word or acting it out unknowingly on ourselves.

Is there an area of your physical life where you are unknowingly punishing yourself?

example:s might be

I never get to the gym enough

I can't control my snacking

I have pain in my knee, it must be something I did or didn't do

I cannot control my schedule to fit exercise or bible reading in

comparison and on an on

WE HAVE AN ENEMY and he would have us dwell on ourselves and these particular issues and get lost in them leading to burying the shame, minimizing it, driving a wedge between us and Him subtly and maybe others through defensiveness and putting us in a never ending cycle of plans and programs.  Is this ever depressing!  No, actually it isn't, it is called awareness and what we become aware of we can deal with.  That is good news!  But God rich in mercy in His kindness leads us in practical ways.  The kicker is it requires "rewiring", not change but renewed.

He sees us friends and knows us better than we know ourselves.

Galatians 5: 7&8 - (Paul asks) - You were running a good race, Who cut in and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the One who calls you.  A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.

Hebrews 12:11 - For a time no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been "trained" by it afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness and a lifestyle that seeks conformity to God's will and purpose.  (Knowing His love, that is exciting and just consider that Jesus then can really be our Personal Trainer!?)

Therefore, "punish" is not hard as we know it to be hard but given in His kindness toward us like the ultimate loving for His child.  What does this mean for our wellness and our bodies?

Practical advice following in Hebrews 12:12&13

So then, strengthen hands that are weak and knees that tremble (Isaiah 35:3 - Encourage the exhausted and make staggering knees firm!)

Cut through and make smooth paths for your feet (proper alignment), so the leg which is lame may not be put out of joint; but rather may be healed!

I encourage you to study this whole chapter circling back to verses 7&8 where it says none of us is exempt from this type of correction.  Hear me that although this could appear to be "heavy" that it is not in the way we are accustomed to putting heavy weights on ourselves.  That is not God's way.  He is a burden lifter but the grace (strength and mercy) he gives is not opposed to effort.  This effort is not driven to strive but work partnered with Him for our good.  Our treatment of ourselves and others is all done in this light.  It's not everyday that we get it right but we have this hope to work from to move forward!  While putting some sweat into whatever you are doing just consider the benefits; increased peace, bone density, muscle elasticity, improved sleep and on and on.  Let's be excited to get stronger and be able to use our hands and feet for purpose!

We all need encouragement and when we come together in this whole process perfectly imperfect just as we are "showing up" we bring life to our mortal bodies and we get stronger in a "whole" kind of way that leads to transformation that's lasting not just a behavior change.

Here is an exercise to try briefly --

STOP where you are and take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out fully through pursed lips and just ask Him what practical area of your life He is leading you toward change to increase "life" to your body?  He has answers for you friend.....

This write up has come as a result of a lot of heart work and began with my journey through the Wellness Revelation that is now on the YouVersion App as a 40-day plan.  When we find something good we need to give it away and pass it on! You can follow on your own or in community you can be invited to it by me in conjunction with the space being made for community and to move and have fun and integrate wholeness

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