What Character Trait Do You Need to Develop?

Each week in the study, Winning the Battle of the Bulge,It’s Not Just About the Weight, the author, Mary Englund Murphy, suggests we pray and ask the Lord to reveal a character trait that we need to develop.  Well, I’m in the fourth week in the study and each week the Lord reveals the same character quality! It’s sad but funny – One of my character traits that I need to develop is to be CONSISTENT. Well Lord at least I’m CONSISTENT with something!  Alright, I guess being consistent in NOT developing this character does not qualify.

I looked up the definition of CONSISTENT –Possessing firmness or coherence; Marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity: free from variation or contradiction; marked by agreement; showing steady conformity to character.  Constantly adhering to the same principles, course, and form.  

Wow, that just hit the nail on the head?  I tend to find it difficult to stay on course –steady as she goes.  I seem to be more like the hare in a race when I start something.  I’m all gun-ho- full speed ahead until I lose fuel or desire to forge ahead no matter the cost – then I quit! Instead of the hare, I need to be more like the tortoise, keeping myself on a pace that I can continue for the long run.  This battle is a lifelong battle – one that needs consistency – looking ahead and not behind.  There may be others who will reach their goals ahead of me – but I must not lose hope.  If I just keep my focus on my Lord, and the final finish line, I WILL obtain my goals.

At the beginning of any diet, the first 20 lbs. come off extremely fast for me.  It’s my body adjusting to the change in eating habits, but after the first 20 lbs. the rest comes off so slowly that I become overwhelmed when I consider how much weight I still have to lose.   I need to stop focusing on how many pounds I have to lose and just focus on one day at a time – one pound at a time.  Becoming a Healthier ME! 

It’s a daily struggle.  I have a form of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).  My mind wonders in every direction with so many thoughts and ideas.  I had a counselor several years back that would tell me (in his strong India accent), “Michele, you need to focus”.   I would reply, “That’s easier said than done!” It’s so hard to stay focus, especially if what I am doing is slow, tedious and “seemingly” non- productive.    I need to remember that not everything comes along quickly.  This weight did not come on overnight – and it will not come off overnight either!  I must commit every part of my life to the Lord; resist the devil and his tactics that would tempt me to run off course. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

Lord, I know that this battle of the bulge is more than just weight.  Reveal to me every weight that is slowing me down to become a Healthier Me; especially the sin that easily trips me up and entice me to run off course or even quit.  Lord, this battle is a lifelong battle – May I be consistent and run with endurance to the finish line!

What character trait do you need to develop and why do you need to develop this quality? 

Self-Will or God-Will?

“I command you-be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 NLT

As I continue with my journey on becoming a healthier me, I have joined a couple of online support groups along with reading and studying the book by Mary Englund Murphy, Winning the Battle of the Bulge It’s NOT just about the Weight.  It is so important to have people around that you can turn to when you are having a difficult day or just need some advice or encouragement; actually, it’s good to have support from others no matter what you are going through.  But it is especially helpful when one has an illness, addiction, weight issues, or major life change. 

As important as it is to receive help from individuals, it is even more important to know we have the support/help from the One who has all the answers, loves and knows us better than  we  ourselves – the Lord our God. 

There was a question Mary asks in the study guide that hit me like a ton of bricks.  “Enlistment implies commitment.  In the past, you probably committed to a diet plan.  What are you committing to now?”   I sat there a moment a little perplexed, what does she mean?  I have to commit to a diet plan right?  Then the bricks came tumbling down over my head!  It’s not all about the diet – Yes, I must commit to become a healthier me – Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually – But more importantly I must commit to being what and who God wants me to be – What He created me to be – I must commit every aspect of my life into His most capable hands and allow Him to give me the tools I need to become a healthier me. 

So in other words, before when I dieted, I committed to a thing – diet – but now I commit to God to provide the tools I need to win this battle of the bulge. 

We all battle many things throughout our day. When a soldier enlists in the Army he is not immediately sent to battle without the proper gear/tools and training he needs to become all he can be for the Army.  The same is said for us as we battle daily the powers of darkness – the prince of this world.  We must put on the whole armor of God every day in order to fight the many battles that will come our way.  To win the battle of the bulge I must arm myself with God’s armor and it will help me to stand strong, be courageous as obediently follow my Commander in Chief into the battle of the bulge. 

Yes, the battle of the bulge is a lifelong battle and I am writing about my battle on one of my blogs, My Journey to a Healthier Me , but the Word of God says, “Do Not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Isn’t it encouraging to know that wherever we go- whatever we do we have the Lord and all of his wisdom, goodness and strength to bring us through whatever this world brings upon us. 

“Dear gracious Heavenly Father, I will place all my needs – including becoming a healthier me – into Your most cable hands.  I will no longer rely on “self-control” or “self-willed” to become healthy, I will instead become “God willed” – “God controlled”.  For I know You can do considerably better with my life than I have been doing!”

Journal Entry - 1/25/13

Another week has past and we are all entering the last weekend of January.  This week we have had  frigid  temperatures ending the week with an expected few inches of snow.  Sounds like a good day for homemade vegetable soup.

I have not been out of the house this week, but again it's been a good week to stay indoors.  I continue with my reading and studying  God's Word along with Mary Englund's book, Winning the Battle of the Bulge.  Both of these activities along with the encouragement and prayers from several online support groups continue to keep me on track with my Journey to Become a Healthier Me.

It has been a difficult week in regards to my chronic health issues, but God continues to be faithful and helps me through the rough pain filled days.  I truly appreciate the prayers from my faithful prayer warriors.  No matter how I feel, I always get up out of bed and get dressed everyday.  I may not do much of anything else that day, but I know I must get up and try to do something positive towards Becoming a Healthier Me.

I look forward to spending another quiet weekend with my very supportive hubby.  I continue to ask for prayers for Jim as he has been suffering with chronic back/sciatica pain since mid August.  

I pray you all have a blessed weekend with your loved ones.  I look forward to another blessed week as we all become healthier through our journey of life. 

Becoming a Healthier Me – Journal Entry 1/22/13

“So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”  1 Corinthians 9:26-27

Wow, those scriptures hit me on the head like a ton of bricks!  How can I be an example to others if I am not discipline enough in my own life?

As I begin my journey to a Healthier Me, I have been undertaking a great amount of soul searching- introspection - and I have to be honest with myself, “I have a lot of splainin to do!” (To coin a phrase from Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy). 

I have restarted – jumped started – my battle of the bulge.  I am reading the book Winning the Battle of the Bulge It’s NOT About the Weight, along with the study guide, by Mary Englund Murphy.  She compares the battle of dieting or the battle of bulge to that of being a soldier in the Army.  Actually she says that “Losing weight is not just a battle; it’s a war – a lifelong war made up of daily battles.  Battles fought not at the refrigerator, the dinner table, or the cookie jar, but in our minds and spirits.  Battles fought against an enemy we seldom recognize and with weapons we are disinclined to use.  You may feel ready to surrender, but don’t give up yet.  Together we will enlist in God’s army, work our way through boot camp and special training, recognize our true enemy, and allow God to arm us with weapons to win the war.” 

One of the questions she asks is: “List attitude adjustments you need to make.”  You mean I need an attitude adjustment?  Not me?  I can just see my husband and sister rolling their eyes right now!  Of course I need an attitude adjustment.  So here I go – I am opening myself up to everyone to help me become more accountable. 

1.       I need to commit to the battle as a life-long battle.  Losing weight is not about dieting and reaching your goal.  It is a life-long commitment to be and stay healthy.  Healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. 

2.       Be honest.  When I record in my food diary I must be honest and record every bite.  I must be honest with myself and most of all with my Lord – the Commander in Chief of His army. 

3.       Be positive.  I cannot tell you how many times I look into the mirror and say, “You are ugly, You are fat, You are worthless, You are pathetic, You are….”  Well you get the idea.  I say and think a lot of negatives when it comes to how I see myself – inside and out. 

4.       Food is not my enemy – but my thoughts and feelings towards food are my enemy.

5.       When I reach a plateau or even not lose as fast I think I should lose, I am not to get discouraged and give up as I usually do.  I didn’t get this way overnight and I cannot expect it to come off overnight either.  There are lessons to learn at every step forward and every plateau.  Instead of giving up – seek guidance – from the Lord and nutritionist. 

6.       The life long battle will get difficult, challenging, and road blocks from the deceiver himself but I must remember that the Lord is in the battle with me; He will and can help me through and around each battle – each challenge the enemy sets out for me. 

Yes, I am in a lifelong battle, but I must remember that I am on the Winner’s side – God – The Battle is already won – the prize is there at the finish line just waiting for me to run my course and cross that finish line to claim my prize!    

I hope that one day I can say as the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

Dear Heavenly Father, You have armed me with strength for the battle of bulge.  Everything I need to fight this battle you have already provided.  It’s mine for the taking – I must use the weapons you provide to fight the battles that will come my way.  "In Your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall." Psalm 18:29.  And all God’s people say, “Amen!”