“To do or not to do…It’s that time of year for resolutions?”  Devotional #12

 

            I’ve been working on the same resolution for about eight years now.  The resolution has been to lose weight.  I know that this resolution is a very popular one and many, many, many people around the world make this same resolution but not all of us keep this one.  There are many other resolutions that I have made and have kept like, not watching countless hours of television anymore.  Another was to be consistent with prayer.  Another one was to be content no matter what the situation.  I shared with you in a previous devotional about contentment.  This is one that for the most part I have kept.  Grant it there are days that I’m not feeling so content and I have to pray through it. 

            This resolution, weight loss, has been a really tough one!  I’m not talking about a couple of pounds because I want to drop a size in clothes.  No!  I’m talking about losing some major weight.  Through the past eight years I have started and stopped and started and stopped several different types of exercise regiments.  I have tried walking on treadmills and in the neighborhood, swimming, step aerobics, working with trainers, rowing machines and even circuit training.  I’m not big on crash diets but I have gotten strict, no grains, dairy, low sugar.  Sounds like a recipe for some actual results but there wasn’t much going on with the needle on the scale.  Weight loss was at an absolute minimum. 

            How about you?  Have you started and stopped and started to then stop again on some kind of change that was good for you, needed, but difficult to do?  Have you had any resolutions that have an “I” for incomplete like me?  A definition for resolution is the process of resolving something.  Aren’t we to always be in the process of resolving something?  To always be in motion, (always changing for the better) as far as God is concerned?  Isaiah 64:8 says, “Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”  Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 

            Perseverance is the key.  A key ingredient to any lasting change is perseverance.  The definition of perseverance is to have a steady and continued action or belief, which usually is over a long period of time, especially despite difficulties or setbacks.  An athlete can never stop pushing themselves to get stronger, faster, better.  If we were to have the same type of attitude then we can do the same!  In James 1:4 it says, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  In order to persevere we need our minds to also be renewed, to believe that we can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13) and therefore do things, make the changes that Jesus would want us to make.  In Romans 12:2 it says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  

I have been extremely frustrated with this problem I have with weight, so frustrated in fact that I had all but given up.  But I knew that giving up was not the right decision.  There had to be something wrong.  It wasn’t until a little over a year ago, after my doctor ran some blood tests, that I found out I had a thyroid problem.  This was the cause for the weight gain and not being able to lose weight.  It’s taken a while but I’m on the right medication for it.  This past November the doctor checked the thyroid out again and I’m doing well.  Now that my thyroid is under control, according to my doctor, I can start trying to lose weight.  So, here I am, starting the year with this same resolution.  This time though, I can do it.  I have already started and have seen some results!  Seems like this resolution will go from an “I” for incomplete to an “A” for job well done! 

My dear friend, thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and read this devotional.  You are constantly in my prayers.    

*If you would like to read this same devotional in Spanish or know of someone that would please visit my Spanish blog at www.ministerioreflejandolaverdad.blogspot.com