It’s 2020. We have electric, self-driving cars. On demand access to nearly every TV show, movie, or song ever made. Wind energy created literally out of thin air. The world is changing faster and faster.
Yet with all these advances in science and technology, we still so easily forget even the simplest of things. The more change, the harder it is to keep track of everything. No combination of Post-It Notes and Alexa reminders will do.
Have you recently forgotten something from the grocery? A work task? Or a loved one’s big day?
Or more importantly, have you forgotten God’s blessings or promises. I know I have. There are so many, it’s easy to do. If not careful, we are distracted by every shiny thing.
I recently started thinking back on my life and how faithful God has been to me. Every crossroad. Every hardship. Every change in employment, family size, and relocation, God has been true to never leave or forsake me.
That’s not the same as saying I got what I prayed for or life turned out how I had planned. It simply means that true to God’s word, the Holy Spirit has sustained me. Yet, how quickly I forget and revert back to a spirit of fear when the next trial arises. I’m Dori.
This certainly can be an easy mindset to develop if you’ve struggled with your fitness.
“It’s only day 3 and I already want to give up. How am I ever going to change.”
“I’ll never get through this workout. I can’t do this.”
“Is this even worth it?”
“I’ve failed so many times before, why would this time be any different?”
What if, however, you shifted your thoughts from what you have to do to what God will do.
Hebrews 13:5 tells us that God will never leave us or abandon us.
Philippians 1:6 reminds us that God, who began a good work in us will finish it.
And 2 Timothy 1:7 promises us that God has given us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.
When we read these, do we believe them? Or do we forget them?
Make a list of all the ways God has taken care of you. Start from your earliest memory. Maybe your list looks like a much longer version of this…
- Switched schools
- Didn’t make the team
- I got in a car wreck
- Didn’t get into the college I wanted
- Struggled with my major
- Should I date _______?
- I didn’t get the job
- Got relocated to a new city
- Will I make rent?
- Will I ever get married?
- Will we ever get pregnant?
- We can’t find a church
- Will our marriage ever get better?
- My child was born with a birth defect
- My child’s first day of school
- My child’s first day of college
- My best friend has cancer
- My spouse got laid off
- My mom died
I don’t know what’s on your list. But my guess is that God provided for you at every major life event. It might not have been in the way you expected, nor what you really would have chosen. But you were sustained nonetheless.
You would be wise to remember His provision, trust in His Word, and follow in obedience.
James tells us in 1:22-24, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”
“For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”
–James 1:23-24
So what does obedience mean in the case of your fitness? It means not only to make physical efforts to honor God with your body by exercising, eating healthy, and getting adequate sleep. It also means when temptations come, setbacks occur, when doubt seeps in or the scale goes up, you will be spiritually in tune to His power in you. You will be mindful his unfailing faithfulness. It means you will not just listen to His word, but obey it. Obeying it means you will…
Approach the thrown of grace with confidence. (Hebrews 4:6)
Be patient, strong, and courageous. (Psalm 27:14)
Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20)
Remember that you are no slave to sin but rather a child of God. (Galatians 4:7)
Cast your concerns on the Lord. (Psalm 55:22)
Soldier on faithfully, claiming victory because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 2:12)
Not grow weary or give up, for a bounty of blessings awaits. (Galatians 6:9)
Learn to take one day at a time. (Psalm 90:12)
Put on the full armor of God and stand firm. (Ephesians 6:11)
You see, these verses are not suggestions. They are instructions.
And obedience doesn’t restrict you. It frees you.
So for 2020, remember His faithfulness.
Trust His word.
Follow in obedience.
If you don’t forget your face, if you listen AND obey, this can be the year that by the power of Christ in you, you claim victory with your fitness once and for all.
