Good evening! For the next 7 days, I will be on a mission trip to Vietnam. During that time, I will have new blogs each night from guest authors! (Also, on many nights, I will post pictures from my trip here!) For the next 26 evenings, my spot will be filled by my dear sister in Christ, Trina Agee Cornell! Trina and I went through many mission trips together and I have been a guest in Trina's and her husband, Bob's home. Please keep me in your prayers!
Power of Positivity #11
I enjoy communicating with my family and friends through social media – especially Facebook. I follow a number of people and organizations that focus their efforts on spreading positivity to the masses. I love reading posts from Proverbs 31 Ministries, tobymac, Lysa TerKeurst (the founder of Proverbs 31 Ministries) – and Power of Positivity. I came across this organization through a friend of mine – I noticed that she shared posts from them on a regular basis, and I decided I would “like” the page and check it out for myself. Power of Positivity has spoken to me on a number of levels – the Lord allows just the right one to cross my path when it is most needed. I wanted to focus this series of blog posts on the posts that have resonated with me – and the lessons that I have learned from them.
“The strongest people aren’t always the people who win, but the people who don’t give up when they lose.”
There are times when I feel strong – I feel empowered, on fire, focused, and ready for whatever lies ahead of me. On the flip side, there are times when I feel weak – powerless, out of control, fearful, and uneasy. These emotions are fluid – and they change day by day, moment by moment.
I had a day like this recently – I woke up, seemingly in a good mood. I felt well for the most part – Bob took the early workout shift to get his long run in for the week, while I stayed home with Connor. I followed my normal morning routine, like I always do – a healthy breakfast, some journaling, a bit of devotional time, and the household chores that needed my attention at the moment. Connor woke up around nine – Bob was home shortly thereafter – and we enjoyed some quality family time. We FaceTimed with my family in Tennessee, watched some Daniel Tiger, and dueled with our light sabers. (Needless to say, I live with two Star Wars fans! #boymom). Bob got Connor ready for the day, and he took him to the library. He did this so I could have some time to work out myself. I typically would jump at this chance – grab my gear and go – but this particular morning, my emotions held me hostage. I didn’t “feel like” going to the gym, even though I knew going would be of great benefit to me. The endorphins, the Bible study, the cardio, the weights – all of it working to feed my spiritual, physical, and emotional health. Usually, I can overcome these emotions, get myself out the door, and get to the gym.
On this particular Saturday, I lost the battle. My emotions won out – and I retreated to the pantry instead. Thus is the pattern of an emotional eater – seeking safety, solace, and reward in the taste of food rather than the task at hand. I knew going to the gym would feel better, but I wanted instant gratification – the kind that only food can bring. I don’t know about you, but carbs were my food of choice – namely, bread. Anything bread-based was on the menu for me – and I completely overdid it. This lead me down a path of guilt, shame, self-pity, and sickness. I did not want to go out – I did not want to do anything. What I thought would make me feel better – only made me feel worse.
Sunday morning came – and I was not prepared. My body, reeling from the day before, did not want to cooperate. I knew I needed to get up – I knew I needed to get myself to the gym, but I did not want to. Once again, I did not “feel like it” – I knew I needed it, but my emotions refused to let me. Once I got moving – once I said a prayer with Bob – I was ready to go. I made it to the gym, feeling sluggish and terrible from the day before. Little did I know – Sunday would be one of the best workouts I have had in a long time. I had a great deal of energy – I felt great – so I pushed myself as far as I could go. I left there feeling much better – in more ways than one.
Saturday was not a win for me – by any stretch. I definitely felt like a loser. I let my emotions get the best of me, and the decisions I made created obstacles for me with my health. I felt defeated at the end of the day – in short, I felt like a failure. Sunday could have been the same thing for me – Sunday could have been another “loss” of a day for me, but it wasn’t. I got myself up – picked myself up off the ground – and took control of my day. I. Did. Not. Give. Up. I chose not to let my emotions run my day – I walked confidently into the day, with the Lord by my side. He tells us to “be strong and courageous”, because He goes before us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Bad days are going to come – let them strengthen you, and don’t give up!
Steve
Luke 18:1
E-mail me at shawley@westburychristian.org
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