It’s New Year’s Resolutions time. Traditionally, I get focused on my weight and waistline and embrace a “New Year, New Me” plan that involves diet and exercise. This has caused me to lose and gain the same 10-15lbs every year for over a decade. As the old saying goes, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and hoping for a different result. I’m done with the insanity. This year I want to exercise something that can make an enduring change for my community and me. I’m going to exercise my faith.
As I draw close to Jesus, I realize my physical weight is not the problem. The problem is the weights of doubt, unbelief, and discouragement that have bogged me down and entangled me. That’s what really needs to go. The physical body will follow when we set our souls and spirits free. And even if it doesn’t, our physical bodies are nothing but temporary tents. Our spiritual health is what truly matters.
It’s been a rough couple of years for all of us. I think most of us are living our lives in response to what we see on the news instead of what we see in the Word of God. I know I’ve been guilty of that. Recently, I wrote in my journal, “Jesus, I want to start a victory log for both big and small moments of wow that happen each day. They need to be recorded to help my perspective. I’ve felt like ‘death by 1000 papercuts’ because I’m better at remembering what the devil does to me than I am at remembering what You’ve done for me.”
Instead of tracking my calories this year, I want to focus on what God says and does. Truthfully, my existence is much more like “life by 1000 miracles” than death by papercuts, but my perspective has been off. I now know I must be intentional about focusing on what Jesus has and is doing and off the negativity.
I read in my Jesus calling devotional today, “I want you to learn a new habit. Try saying, ‘I trust You, Jesus,’ in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time, think about who I am in all my power and glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of my love for you.”
Now that’s the kind of workout I’m talking about! Instead of logging our calorie consumption, let’s log our miracle moments. Instead of reading all the fitness and diet news, let’s pick up the Word of God. And instead of thinking we’ve gotten another papercut each time we receive some bad news, let’s whisper, “I trust You, Jesus,” and meditate on His awesomeness. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling healthier already!
One response
Wow wow!! I just started doing this too! It is something I knew I should do but just haven’t been. God is showing me something every single day and it makes all the difference to keep it in my mind for a bit longer. Think of everything I have been missing. I love it!!! Thank you for sharing. This is going in my journal!