During my devotion this morning, I was reading about staying healthy and treating our bodies well. This excerpt from "Loving My Actual Life" spoke wonders:
"When I shifted my focus from 'How can I make my body look a certain way?' to 'How can I use my body for God's good today?' a lot of those little things that bothered me (and the truth is, they do bother me still) were less distracting. I'll do what I can, apply sunscreen, drink water, go to bed instead of watching another episode on Netflix, and I'll be grateful for what I have, a body that pumps blood, moves, hugs, makes dinner, eats and digests that dinner. All so I can enjoy what is right in front of me."
I couldn't possibly convey my point better. We need to focus on the here and the now. Change is good and it's inevitable, but living and loving ourselves in the present is what matters. If we love what we have NOW, then we can learn to respect ourselves and the importance of our one body, one life, one chance to make a difference. If we do not love what we have, then let's go make a change! Let's change our current situation, our current body, our current lifestyle, our current mindset to one that is pleasing to the Lord and serves others well with all our heart! This is the ultimate goal- to serve and to love others in Christ. If we learn how to do this and do it well, our love for self will naturally increase and our respect for our own body and "temple" will become much more important to us. In exchange, this change we have invested in for ourselves and our current self will overflow to others and they will see the love you have for your actual life!
Put into Practice:
1) Respect and care for your current body. Add exercise to your daily routine- even if you can only find 10 extra minutes at home, on lunch break, in between meetings, during nap time. It doesn't require fancy equipment, a personal trainer, or an hour long routine...simply MOVE! You owe it to yourself!
2) Feed your body the nutrients it needs. Just start somewhere, make healthier choices as pick up your food, don't overindulge because you're stressed out, minimize what you know is "unhealthy".
3) Feed your SOUL. Open your bible. Download an encouraging app. Browse your local Christian book store. "Like" encouraging pages and people on facebook and follow their posts.
4) Spend time with your spouse and children. Together and separately. Turn off the TV at night. Play. Walk. Enjoy a meal together. Ask each other about their day. Hug. BE PRESENT.
5) Be spontaneous. Just do it! You will totally surprise yourself here when you realize how fun it can be!
This list could go on and on and on. Just start somewhere! Find those things you truly desire to change and DO SOMETHING about it! I believe in you, and you owe it to yourself!
"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Abraham Lincoln
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received by God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
for God's glory,
reagan
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