Christian Living
I will take away your stubborn heart and give you a new heart and a desire to be faithful. You will have only pure thoughts, because I will put my Spirit in you and make you eager to obey my laws and teachings. {Ezekiel 36:26-27 CEV}
I have battled with my weight on and off for a LONG time. It became a big deal in middle school when fashion, hair and make-up were suddenly top priority. I was always on the chunky side so I couldn't wear the biker shorts, stretch pants and "half shirts" the other [normal] girls were donning.....that is probably a good thing now that I think about it! As a young adult, I began to blend in with the rest of the "growing" population, but at my biggest, I weighed more than I did at 9 months pregnant (go figure!). Over the years, there were countless "this is it Mondays" - that is the Monday when "change" would come. Which led to several "Wednesdays of despair"....the days of shameful diet abandon. I knew what I needed to do, but I was comfortable in my ways. My mind was made up, but my heart wasn't in it.
One day after grumbling endlessly about how unhappy I was, someone finally said, "Unless you're gonna do something about it, stop complaining!" That statement made me think hard about what I REALLY wanted. There was nothing and no one stopping me, but me. Was this something I truly wanted or something I just wanted to whine about? Finally, I made the decision to lose the unhealthy weight that held me back for so long. I abhor exercise. But I did it. I loathe planning meals and counting calories. But I did it. I LOVE junk food! But I cut back tremendously.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. {Hebrews 12:11}
I MADE CHANGES. Though I was uncomfortable and unhappy at first, I did what was necessary to get the desired results. Knowing what I needed to do wasn't enough. I actually had to ask the Lord to change my heart and give me the will to change my actions.
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
Though it may be true, Albert Einstein's famous quote differs with Miriam Webster's dictionary definition:
in·san·i·ty -
(1-2 describing a deranged or unsound mind state)
3 a : extreme folly or unreasonableness b : something utterly foolish or unreasonable
How insane is it to think we can continue with the same routine, the same thought processes, the same "good intentions" and come up with a different outcome? On my Christian walk, I'm constantly stumbling over the same pebbles on the road. Why am I dealing with the same issues over and over again? Because I haven't carried out the proper changes! God is ALWAYS convicting me with His Word and revealing darkness in my heart. If I didn't before, at that point I know I'm in need of adjustments. Still, I do as I have always done - think about it; write about it; may even talk about it; "pray" about it. I use the term 'pray' VERY loosely. It's not sincere and honest prayer if my heart is not broken from my disobedience and ready to turn from that behavior. And I'll be honest - sometimes I don't want to change my conduct. Whether I feel badly or not, if I'm not taking the steps toward change, I don't really want change.....so NOTHING will change.
These days I find myself first asking for the will to conform to Christ; the desire to alter my life to be more pleasing to God; for my Father to change my heart......because I can't do it myself.
Do you have circumstances and situations in your life that need to change? Have you been praying and waiting.....and praying and waiting some more? Is your heart ready for change? What are YOU going to do about it?
If you don't do what you know is right, you have sinned. {James 4:17 CEV}
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
OUCH!! You nailed it. Many will identify with you. Thanks for sharing your struggle. GOD BLESS YOU
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 645 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Joi James or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 645 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.