It is true eating healthier, and exercising is a great springboard to a better you and possibly a catalyst to push you toward a more constant and spiritual you. Think about it realistically though are you really going to keep any of your resolutions just by wishing for them? If this describes you, like me, you give up on your resolve in a week or two. Sometimes, I forgot what my good intentions were in the first place when I let the things of the world distract me.
Last year, January 2021, I decided not to make any of the usual New Year’s resolutions, like eating healthier for an example. I decided to stay connected to God’s Word and putting him first in my daily life. We can do this in so many ways: praying, reading scripture, attending worship service, listening to His message and plans for us, obeying Him, leaning on Him, staying in His light, tithing, spreading His good news, joining a bible study, staying in fellowship with other believers, doing acts of kindness and charitable works, walking in His footsteps, singing and listening to worship music (two contemporary songs I personally find inspirational are Jeremy Camp “Out of My Hands” and Tasha Layton “Look What You’ve Done”; there are too many to mention); being aware that we are never alone, —God is always with us and loves all of us unconditionally.
So I did this instead, I put God, His Holy Son Jesus Our Savior, and His Holy Spirit ahead of everything else in my life and in so doing was able to grow spiritually and become a healthier me. Here is what happened concerning my husband and me. Together we probably have lost and gained in our adult years a cumulative total of 600 plus lbs. With Covid breathing down our necks in 2020, stuck indoors for the most part, we were eating whatever we wanted and both gained more weight than we ever had at one time. We were not feeling our best and knew we had to really get serious and eat healthier, lose weight, and exercise. Now, Ernie does not drink alcohol, and I consider myself a social drinker, so I wasn’t going to include my wine indulgence, but I did let go of snacks especially chocolate. Anyway, one February day in 2021, we looked at each other while holding hands, and we earnestly prayed to God to help us overcome our weight gain and help us achieve a healthier lifestyle. We praised God, we thanked Jesus, and we fully trusted His Holy Spirit within us.
Listen to the Lord’s message to us in Matthew 7:7 NIV - 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Take heed and trust in His words in John 16:24 NIV - 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
Ernie and Ifelt this surge of strength and energy enter our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. Less than a year later we collectively lost 70 lbs; Ernie takes the stairs whenever he can during work, and I exercise each day faithfully. Most importantly, we were fed spiritually through Him. Praise Jesus!
Know and believe Jesus’ words from the book of Matthew 19:26 NIV - 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The power of God should never be underestimated or overlooked. Whatever we want and hope for in life, put Him first and we will gain the joy and peace that only comes from loving Jesus and being cognizant of the great love He has for all His children. Have a happy, healthier and, most importantly, 24/7 relationship with Jesus this year and in the years to come.
Trust in Him and praise Him for He has great plans for us believers (Romans 8:28) and if we fall, and we will because we are human, Jesus will be there to pick us up and get us through each day! Thank you, Jesus!
Gail Achilles, Church Council Secretary & Call Committee Chair