Discipline your body

"Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection..." 1 cor 9:27

This verse is talking about running for the crown...an imperishable crown. But for this purpose I want to bring this verse to show that we can bring our body into submission. It seems as if we can't control out habits, addictions, cravings, laziness, etc., but we can. We are ultimately the one who makes the decision. If we are dying to have a brownie and know that it will be the beginning of a downward spiral...we don't HAVE to eat it. We can discipline our body to resist the temptation. "...God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 cor 10:13 There are so many times that I get my comfort from junk food instead of from the Lord. Sometimes it seems as if the craving is so strong I can't resist it but yet the Lord tells us we can through Him. I have heard that a craving lasts anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. Ride it out!
Also, if we know that we should go and exercise, yet our body is feeling tired and lazy...we don't have to give in to that. Let's take our bodies and discpline them!
I have been running 5 miles 3 times a week and the other days I do something else. During each mile of my 5 miles, I have to talk myself into running the next mile. It's almost more of a mental thing than a physical thing. I know my body can run those 5 miles, yet my mind is trying to talk me out of actually doing it. Ignore those thoughts and press towards your goal, walking or running in the power of the Holy Spirit...and you WILL achieve. Don't forget to pray before you exercise...or even during. A great way to rely on the Lord and also to spend some time with Him!

Worldly counsel

This has been a tough summer for me. I went through a couple of months of depression and spiritual attack. I also could not quit eating! I seriously do have an addiction to food. No matter how long I can control myself, that addiction is always there. If I have a bowl of ice cream, that will never be enough for me. I will always want another one or something else. When I begin to eat unhealthy, there is no stop to my rampage.
Well, this is something that I struggled with so much this summer. I just couldn't get out of the rut I had put myself in. Then, if I'm not eating right, of course I'm not gonna go and work out, sweating out the huge shake I just put down..no way! So I got to a point where I just wanted help.
Esteban and I had been watching this show Intervention. It's about drug addicts getting intervention from their loved ones. My mind started going. Why is it that they have these things for drug addicts but not for food addicts? I feel that I'm in as much bondage to food as they are to their drug. I was ready to go see a doctor. Then I spoke to my hubby...He began telling me that I have all the tools I need to be an overcomer in this area. I have the Holy Spirit inside of me and I have God's word. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. Yikes. The world says that there is medicine that can help, or counseling. That's deception. I have God inside of me, more powerful than anything on the earth...yet I'm deceived to think He can't help me.
The Bible says in 1 Cor 3 "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God...Therefore let noone boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come-all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's."
We are in Christ! We have Him...what more do we need? Let's use His power to help us, to set us free!

Content with myself

One thing that I think a lot of women struggle with is being content with the body that God has given them. I know that before I lost weight, I had in my head that when I got down to a certain size, I would love my body. Now that I have lost a bit of weight, I realize I will always have something about my body that I don't like or wish I could change. I will always want to be smaller, be more toned, etc. I believe that God does want us to be of good health and take care of His temple...but it's so easy to get obsessed with "being healthy" and getting the perfect body.
So, I have been trying to let the Lord renew my mind and my thoughts. In Hebrews it says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.: So we may bodly say: THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" 13:5-6
There are so many days when I just want to give up on this journey to a healthy lifestyle. I feel as if I don't see any results, I'm sick of working out, I feel down about my looks...but there is always a life line waiting for us. The Lord is our helper. In times of temptation to throw our hands up and "forget about it," let's turn to the Lord and seek His power and control. "Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 peter 5:7. I pray I learn to seek comfort from the Lord and not from the pantry.

The Beginning...

This is a bit scary for me but I feel as if I need to do this. I have struggled my entire life with food and working out. I grew up not even thinking about eating healthy or exercising...it wasn't part of my life in any way. In the last three to four years I have realized the severity of my addiction to food. It is a daily struggle for me and the only way to overcome it each day is by relying on the Holy Spirit to give me strength.
A couple of weeks ago I was considering to begin a blog and the thought crossed my mind to start a daily health journal. One where I am completely honest with how I have done each day and with the scripture that I have used to give me strength. I decided against it, realizing there would be days that I would be embarrassed with how bad I actually did, and began a regular blog on my life.
This weekend I went to a retreat, and late at night my friend started asking me about journals. She began to tell me that she thought the Lord was urging her to begin a health journal and challenged me to do the same. I hadn't even told her or anybody else about the thoughts I had previously. Her thoughts on what to do with the journal were the exact same as mine...and I thought, this must be confirmation to just go and do it.
Here it is...if you struggle as well, I pray that this offers encouragement, comfort and hope for you. If you don't, then your prayers would be much appreciated as we go through this journey of physical and spiritual health!