The Pit of Despair

Here's a letter I came across one day that is loaded with life applications:

These thoughts came to me as I was praying for you yesterday. You've proven that you have the resolve to stick to your budget and suceed in the family finances. By this I mean, you had the resolve to do what very few people in the world have been able to do. You had the resolve to lose a huge amount of weight (80-ish pounds) and keep it off. Most people wallow in self pity when they're over weight and instead of doing something about it they lean on excuses like, "it's a gland problem" or "I have a slow metabolism". But not you, you spat in the face of excuses and mustered the resolve to control what your hand put in your mouth. Not only did you keep off the weight but you were able to get muscular definition in your arms and legs. ***Applause Here*** You also possess the resolve to get up at the butt crack of dawn each morning and do devotions, spending time in God's word and in prayer while most people's alarm hasn't even given them a chance to hit the snooze button. Given the two previously mentioned seemingly insurmountable tasks, you've proven that you possess the resolve to meet and exceed whatever financial goal you and your spouse decide to strive for. Let today be the day that the step of resolve that you took when you decided to lose weight and when you decided to do morning time with God be applied to you financial goals.

The letter above in some way or another applies to us all. Some things we're good at and some things we're bad at. The problem is that many people fail instead of succeed in some areas because they trade what they need most for what they want at the moment. Let's not stay in the "Pit of Despair" letting something suck years of our lives away.

We control what our hands put in our mouths. If you’re like I was you’re thinking of the excuse that eating healthy is expensive. That’s dead wrong. If you take the money that you’d normally spend on detrimental calories like: cookies, dough nuts, bagels, chips, pop, fried whatever, etc. and redirect it to the beneficial stuff God made for us like: fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and drink only water you’ll actually save money. God made our bodies to repair themselves, for the most part, if we give them what He made. I refer to these quotes: “If you can't grow it or kill it, don't eat it.” and “Shop the perimeter of the grocery store.”

We also control how we spend our time. There are many activities in life that are like detrimental calories: TV, video games, hours on the internet, etc. For most people it really wouldn’t be that hard to squeeze in 20 minutes of intense exercise 3 times a week. That’s only 1 hour. Our bodies were designed for physical labor. Genesis 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. It’s crazy how the body when subjected to periods of work followed by rest actually gets stronger. “ Or to coin the old phrase if you don’t use it you lose it. Now keep in mind that getting stronger is gradual. A big mistake people make is they’re too impatient and do too much too soon and get injured. You need to know your body and how far you can safely push it. Pain is good. Injury is bad. Practice self control: Hebrews 12:11–13 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. Therefore, strengthen you feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Remember it’s not vain to be in shape: Proverbs 24:5 A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength.

Don’t try and eat healthy and/or exercise like John Wayne. Get an accountability partner. Someone you know and trust and ask them to hold you accountable weekly to how your progress is coming. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. It’s a lot harder to give into temptation when you know you’ll have to confess it to someone else. As you go on this journey don’t step on a scale. Let the fit of your pants be the way you measure progress.

Rest is another thing that’s frequently overlooked. In our society days seem to be so busy. On the other hand, the body repairs itself during sleep and periods of rest. The time your central nervous system (CNS) repairs itself is during sleep and it takes longer to repair your CNS after exercise than it does to repair muscles. So, it’s a necessity to sit and relax for a while. People who think they don’t have time to relax are the very people who have the greatest need to rest. If you feel overly stressed and don’t know what to cut out of your day, use the 5 year rule and ask yourself if the stuff that’s occupying your mind and day will matter in 5 years. If the answer is no, then replace some of that time with rest.

We need to “lead from the front”. That’s what Paul did: Philippians 1:14 – Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been more encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. As Christians we are called to honor God with our heart, mind, soul and strength. When we’re obedient to that calling, others like our kids, friends, family and co-workers are more apt to be encouraged that change for the good can happen and actually follow our example as we follow Christ. Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.”

Remember: “Anyone can tell you what they want. Few will tell you what they will sacrifice to get it.” So escape from the Pit Of Despair and reap the benefits of a healthier life.