SELF CONTROL - IT IS A CHOICE

I choose love.

I choose joy.

I choose peace.

I choose kindness.

I choose gentleness.

I choose patience.

I choose the most appealing pieces of the fruit of the spirit.  

Do you notice what is not on choice list?  Go ahead.  Look it over.  

Did you notice the absence of longsuffering and self-control?

Well, chances are you didn't choose them either.

Perhaps, like myself, you don't want that particular peg on your plate.  It just doesn't appeal to your palette;  it doesn't fit in with your culture; its a bitterness that no taste buds ever acquire an appetite for eating. Yet, I know that we need it.  It is like drinking bitter herbs at the start of fall.  It is horrible to go down but the benefits last for a long time.  

Self control, the act of restraining oneself, mastering emotions and actions, putting oneself in subjection to specific constraints.  Guarding oneself against emotional outbursts and spontaneous actions that can be disastrous and destructive.

My choices have caught up to me over the years.  This is why I am journaling about a diet that gets hijacked weekly because of no self control.  I have refused to police myself and am now eating another fruit I didn't choose - obesity and all the woes it has brought to my life.

It is time to choose again.

It is time to get the glue really of love joy peace and kindness.  It is time to choose self control. 

Father, this has been my struggle for more years than I even remember.  Please help me to delight in this peg of the spirit's fruit.  It is counter culture but so desperately needed in my life.  Father, please help me to curb and restrain myself from actions that will cause me pain in the end.  I need to be self controlled and I know that this power is in YOU.  pour it out in me I pray and help me to choose it every day.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.    

STEPS OF A GOOD MAN

 I read recently that the steps of a good man are ordered by God and that He delights in all his ways. It goes on to say that if this man falls that God will help him up. 

For me, these words bring comfort and encouragement. Why? Well on this up and down journey to lose weight, and feel great I love having a step by step coach. 

I was overwhelmed with the big picture view before me. I constantly resisted planning dinner at breakfast. I've been frustrated with the plans I made for the week going awry with my self appointed job title of "leftover eater". 

Exercise was always in the plan but work and health wrecked every good intention.  Am I complaining? A little. 

However, I realize it's okay to not be perfect. It's okay to get up again even after falling numerous times. It's okay to ask for help - divine help. 

So I am leaning into this verse from Psalm 37. Step by step God orders and establishes a plan of success for me.  One meal at a time. One movement at a time. Good enough for this girl.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your direction. I am unable to do this solo. Obviously, I am not good at leading myself. I praise you for helping me up every time I fall. Into your hands I commit this diet for health Strength and wealth in Jesus name Amen.  

Never give up

 Don't become weary of doing good, for in due season you will reap a harvest of blessing if you don't give up.  Paul wrote these words to the church thousands of years ago. Yet, I find it still as rich and powerful and applicable to my life today. 

How many times have I wanted to just quit? Quit on this diet, this journey that is ever so long towards Health? If I said daily perhaps that would be overly dramatic and an over exaggeration of the truth. Yet, that desire to quit comes more often than I would like. 

Well the evidence is all over the scale and staring at me from the mirror. I am reaping alright, exactly what I have sown.  I have sown to the flesh - Doritos, Rice, Potatoes and lots of sitting down time. In response my harvest is tight clothing, an extra chin and a bulging belly. 

Truth in the house today. 

So yes, quitting has presented itself as an option. However, I am not going to yield to it or accept it's alluring invitation. I want better. I want health. I want a slimmer waist line. I want success. 

So as Paul said don't give up and I won't. I will not get weary or tired. I will get up again so help me God!

Father God help me please to live this out! Help me to not get weary of doing what is needed to be healthier and stronger. I lean into you oh God. In Jesus name Amen