I am trying to think in terms of "wanting" to make healthy choices, not "needing" to. There is more grace in wanting something rather than needing it. I am struggling with completing and posting my daily cards. I do better when I complete my card and post a picture of it. The accountability forces me to be more intentional. I also do better when I start the day with exercise and Bible study first thing in the morning. The exercise gets my blood flowing and helps me feel strong and self-controlled. Reading my Bible (which includes some type of written, thought provoking Bible study book and writing in my prayer journal) fills me with a supernatural, Jesus-given kind of PEACE that I do not experience from any other place or person in my life.
So why don't I make these activities priorities in my daily schedule? I have never exercised or read my Bible and then wished I had spent that time doing something else. I have, however, slept in, watched TV, or dilly dallied around the house and wished I had used that time in a more positive way. Also, I have never regretted passing up the temptation to eat something at night (once I resist the temptation). On the "other side" of that temptation, I am ALWAYS glad I resisted. I need to remember that truth the next time the temptation comes along to eat something when I am not at all hungry, but rather, just craving something to eat.
The old theory says it takes 21-28 days to create a new habit. I read a study online that indicated it took anywhere from 66 up to 254 days to create a new habit. The difference in time varied for how difficult the new habit was to accomplish and how determined the person was to make the change. I think Stephen R. Covey has the right idea on how to change. He says, "You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically, to say “no” to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger “yes” burning inside. The enemy of the “best” is often the “good.” "
I want to have a bigger "YES" burning inside me when I want to skip my exercise and sleep in. That YES would say to exercise because I will feel better physically, mentally and emotionally.
I want to have a bigger "YES" burning inside me when I walk to the fridge or pantry because I am stressed, feeling overwhelmed, angry, sad, or frustrated. That YES would say that food is source of energy for my body, no kind of food or amount of food is going to make those uncomfortable feelings go away.
I want to have a bigger "YES" burning inside me when I delay having my Bible study time because I just need to.......start a load of laundry, straighten up the house, unload the dishwashwer, run to the grocery store.... That YES would say that God wants to be my FIRST priority, not get whatever "leftover" time I have in my day.
Philippians 4:4-8 says, 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Beginning my day reading God's word and praying with thanksgiving in my heart definitely brings the peace of God to my heart and mind as this verse proclaims. I want that TRUTH to be the YES burning inside me when I am tempted to delay my Bible study and prayer time.
I want to have a bigger "YES" burning inside me when I smell the fresh popped popcorn at the movie theatre. That YES would say that going to the movie is about enjoying the movie, not the food. That YES would also be intentional about losing weight and would have a healthy strategy for dealing with the popcorn smell by deciding NOT to eat popcorn long before arriving at the theatre.
I want to have a bigger "YES" burning inside me when I am tempted to stay up late to finish whatever it is I believe can't wait until tomorrow. That YES would say that adequate sleep in critical to being a healthy, happy, fully-functioning person. I would take time each evening to intentionally plan the next day and I would schedule my priorities, not prioritize my schedule.
There are other YES decisions burning inside me, these are just a few examples. CHANGE is about CHOICE. I say I WANT to CHANGE but sometimes my CHOICES would speak differently. I want to have a bigger YES burning inside me, reminding me that each seemingly SMALL CHOICE can add up to BIG CHANGE. Being CONSISTENT and INTENTIONAL with that bigger YES burning inside me. I can do this, I know I can.
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