At first, because I did not sleep more than, say, three or four hours last night, I thought today's devotional would be very difficult to write. Thought I'd be forcing the three brain cells that have some charge to them through some serious hoops to get a coherent thought down. Interestingly enough, that's just not the case. I've got something to share.
Last night, someone did something that upset me very, very, very much. I felt wounded to the core, taken advantage of, tossed aside and also very heartbroken that they would hurt themselves by the action that they took because I care so much about what happens to them and I have invested so much of myself in helping them through hard times.
I desperately wish that I could record here that I responded in a godly fashion. Oh how I wish I could tell you that I prayed fervent, heart-felt prayers on their behalf, that I lifted their name to heaven and fell to my knees in a worshipful prayer stance. That I read the Bible until I felt peace, then got in bed and tucked the covers in in blissful peace. I did none of the above.
No. I paced the floor, called someone to vent and cried and used the kind of language that I would be desperate for my pastor NOT to hear me use. I mean I would literally die if any of YOU heard me use it, much less the ladies in my biblestudy or the leadership in my church. Talk about inauthentic.
I guess my reaction (I was just stunned by the other person's actions, shaken to the core) revealed to me my heart. Where my treasure is. My treasure is still firmly rooted in what others think of me, what I can accomplish for myself, my status on earth, my fit in society, The Bible makes it plain, utterly plain, that none of that is where we should be focused.
"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:21-26, NIV)
When I face uncertainty and loss, my spiritual temperature is taken on the spot. If it really is true that earth has nothing I desire, that God is my all, I can't be shaken. Not to the extent that I lose my sense of appropriateness and become filled with the kind of rage that shocks even me!
How does this relate to our quest to take better care of our bodies? Pretty well, actually. It is nearly impossible for a woman who is approaching fifty years of age to stay motivated to be glamorously thin so that the latest fashions cling to her aging frame. It ain't happenin' in the face of a really good cheesecake. But if I believe that God wants me to be a good steward of all that He has given me to use to the praise of His glory and to fulfill my job on earth, I will approach my health differently. I need energy and health to be obedient to Him. If I invest my treasure in the things that last (the heavenly kingdom), then I will invest my earthly body in God's call on my life. I can't be effective if I am exhausted and broken down.
I hope this little chat has put some wind in your sails today. When you invest in your health, you invest in God's call on your life. We all know He wants us to be good stewards of everything He has blessed us with. Let's get started today!
Last night, someone did something that upset me very, very, very much. I felt wounded to the core, taken advantage of, tossed aside and also very heartbroken that they would hurt themselves by the action that they took because I care so much about what happens to them and I have invested so much of myself in helping them through hard times.
I desperately wish that I could record here that I responded in a godly fashion. Oh how I wish I could tell you that I prayed fervent, heart-felt prayers on their behalf, that I lifted their name to heaven and fell to my knees in a worshipful prayer stance. That I read the Bible until I felt peace, then got in bed and tucked the covers in in blissful peace. I did none of the above.
No. I paced the floor, called someone to vent and cried and used the kind of language that I would be desperate for my pastor NOT to hear me use. I mean I would literally die if any of YOU heard me use it, much less the ladies in my biblestudy or the leadership in my church. Talk about inauthentic.
I guess my reaction (I was just stunned by the other person's actions, shaken to the core) revealed to me my heart. Where my treasure is. My treasure is still firmly rooted in what others think of me, what I can accomplish for myself, my status on earth, my fit in society, The Bible makes it plain, utterly plain, that none of that is where we should be focused.
"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:21-26, NIV)
When I face uncertainty and loss, my spiritual temperature is taken on the spot. If it really is true that earth has nothing I desire, that God is my all, I can't be shaken. Not to the extent that I lose my sense of appropriateness and become filled with the kind of rage that shocks even me!
How does this relate to our quest to take better care of our bodies? Pretty well, actually. It is nearly impossible for a woman who is approaching fifty years of age to stay motivated to be glamorously thin so that the latest fashions cling to her aging frame. It ain't happenin' in the face of a really good cheesecake. But if I believe that God wants me to be a good steward of all that He has given me to use to the praise of His glory and to fulfill my job on earth, I will approach my health differently. I need energy and health to be obedient to Him. If I invest my treasure in the things that last (the heavenly kingdom), then I will invest my earthly body in God's call on my life. I can't be effective if I am exhausted and broken down.
I hope this little chat has put some wind in your sails today. When you invest in your health, you invest in God's call on your life. We all know He wants us to be good stewards of everything He has blessed us with. Let's get started today!
As a friend once said to me: what someone says to you that is hurtful is only hurtful if you allow it to be by dwelling on it and turning it into a bigger hurt. That being said I also feel if I have strong faith that God has made me in his image, I should be able to see myself as such. No matter what hurtful things others may say to me should lessen my self image. Of course you could probably say all that much eloquently, but I hope you know what I mean. Well off I go to make this a fulfilling day lol with out all my crutch foods,
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