I do not know about you, but very often, the first thing I do when I get home from work is change out of my work clothes into something more comfortable. I kick off my heels and put on warm cozy socks, then exchange my professional-looking slacks and blouse for leisure wear unless I have somewhere to go, I am expecting company, I have something important to do around the house, or I am so tired that I know I will not be able to make myself be productive anymore that day if I get comfortable.
Have you ever had days like that? All you want to do is rest, but the circumstances in your life will not allow it. Consequently, you must find a way to press on, but it is hard because you seem to sabotage yourself as you try to push through. For example, you were already tired to begin with, but your body suddenly began to feel as though it weighed a ton when you recalled you still have to cook dinner when you get home. Likewise, your mind starts to spit out a thousand reasons why you should have a seat on the sofa and watch the news for “a few minutes” in order to relax, but you know you fall asleep every time that happens.
It is even worse, it seems, when the things we have to do are exercise and prepare healthy meals. As if it is not bad enough that you have to contend with outside temptations attempting to convince you to give up, your own flesh is also an enemy that must be conquered. It is easy to return to your old habits, grab a bag of chips to eat as you watch the news, then try to coax yourself into going to work out to minimize the damage you have done. However, you have been there and done that. You know you will never make it to the treadmill in the other room, let alone to the gym for weight training and cardio.
If you truly want to lose weight and become free of an eating disorder, you must accept the fact that you will have to endure a season of discomfort. Eating healthy foods and beverages and exercising is obviously not your comfort zone, or you would not be overweight or entangled with an eating disorder. To have the healthy and fit body you long for in addition to the longer lifespan, which is a byproduct of it, you must obey God’s commands to honor Him with your body by eating and drinking for His glory (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 10:31).
I am a witness that as you adopt a healthy lifestyle for God’s glory, a wonderful thing happens. He not only gives you the desires of your heart as a result of seeking His kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:33), but He also makes what used to be uncomfortable your new comfort zone. Therefore, I encourage you to keep your work clothes on, ignore the fatigue, and use your spiritual earbuds to drown out the lies of pride and so-called logical reasoning telling you to take a break. This is the season of the ant not of the sloth (Proverbs 6:6). God will give you rest at His appointed time. Until then, work while it is day, for the night comes when no man can work (John 9:4).
If you are to make the journey to your new health and fitness comfort zone, purchase your copies of the Eating as an Act of Worship Workbook and the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher’s Edition online today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com. In the books, you will learn the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God. Read our weekly blog for motivation to stay healthy and fit through Christ. Follow us daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for recipes, and diet and exercise tips. Tune in to our syndicated radio show on iTunes, Spotify the DFW Den Radio Station, the StudioW Buzz Radio Station, and Victory KVDW 100.9 FM, 95.3 FM, and 1530 AM in Little Rock, Arkansas for interviews and health and fitness trends. Lastly, make your tax-deductible donation to Eating as an Act of Worship Ministries at www.eatingasanactofworshipministries.org!
