Devotional Thought
Let God do the Heavy Lifting
Can you relate to this cycle?
You have a need and desire to improve something in your life. You do some research and get on a plan. In the beginning, you are on fire! Motivation is high, you are doing this thing and seeing some results. But then, the steps you are taking start to be inconvenient. Your schedule gets too busy, you have a setback or you just lose the focus to continue to do what you need to do. After a while, the change is gone and you find yourself back where you started (maybe a little further behind).
Does this sound familiar? Here is the bad part of the cycle: You think you are to blame. “If only I was not so weak. If only I had more willpower or discipline!”
Willpower and discipline are important and vitally necessary for change, but willpower alone will not be enough. Determination gets you started and keeps you going for a while, but it never enough to bring you across the finish line.
Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts.
Zech 4:6 NKJV
How would things be different if instead of turning to willpower first in your time of need, you turn to God instead? Jesus said in John 15:5 “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” This is one of the most import and most difficult lessons we must learn if we want to enjoy the life Jesus died to give us.
We must learn to let God do the heavy lifting. Give it over to Him and let Him supply the ability to energize our choices.
Following are ways to trust God with your health/fitness related burden:
- Ask God to help you solve your problem. Ask Him to forgive you for all the years you have ignored Him and tried to do things without His help.
- Connect with others with a like mind, spirit, and focus for sharing, support and encouragement.
- Begin each day with an affirmation to address your specific need.
- End each day with thanks for strides made towards your goal.
- Pray in moments of doubt. We all have moments when we are tempted to blow off some action that is one of the keys to lifetime health. Step back, take a moment, and call on God to come to you and carry you through.
Devotion adapted from Joyce Meyer Look Great Feel Great
