The Inner Struggle
It's been a while since I've posted here. For those of you who have come over looking for insight or news, I'm sorry. The journey that began about two months ago is just starting to produce some fruits. Seeds were sown and now the tiny green tops are visible through the barren earth.
Over the last two months I have been working self-control as it applies to earthly things, namely my health and physical well-being. As of today, I have biked 237 miles, ran 68 miles, and swam 5300 yds. Total time for all these activities: 33.5 hours. It's rewarding to see that I have spent almost a whole work-week on getting healthy over the last couple of months. In order to make this happen, I've had to say "no" to a lot of things. I haven't touched a computer game since I started this. I rarely stay up past 10:00 any more because most of my runs and swims are done at 5:30 a.m.
Also, in the same time frame, I have lost as much as 13.5 pounds. I had a bad weekend, so right now I've lost 10 solid pounds. I have a lot more to go, but it's a start. I'd like to contribute all that success to the 33.5 hours above, but part of it has to do with watching what I eat. I watch what I eat and how often I eat but not always how much I eat. I have started a lifestyle where I eat about 6 times a day. I have little meals more often and that has kept my weight manageable. Also, I have one meal a week where anything goes. I have one meal a week where I don't have to worry about what or how much. And still, I've lost 10 solid pounds.
Some may be saying, "Where's the spiritual growth? How's your walk with the Lord? What're the marks of the Spirit that you see?" Interestingly enough, God is using my physical shrinkage for spiritual growth.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
(Gal 5:22-23)
Through the last few months, I have been learning self-control. It started with choices between television and sleep, running and lazing, chocolate and carrots. Earthly lessons, to be sure, but lessons with a spiritual consequence. I am learning the long-term joy of healthy decisions and that will spill over into my spiritual life. In fact, I'm starting to see it already. As I decide how to spend my limited time, things that used to be appealing are not anymore. There are better ways to spend time rather than kill it. This mindset should pay great dividends eventually.
As I said, little green tips peeking up from what used to be barren earth. Waiting for time, sun, water, and a little struggle to make them strong.
Over the last two months I have been working self-control as it applies to earthly things, namely my health and physical well-being. As of today, I have biked 237 miles, ran 68 miles, and swam 5300 yds. Total time for all these activities: 33.5 hours. It's rewarding to see that I have spent almost a whole work-week on getting healthy over the last couple of months. In order to make this happen, I've had to say "no" to a lot of things. I haven't touched a computer game since I started this. I rarely stay up past 10:00 any more because most of my runs and swims are done at 5:30 a.m.
Also, in the same time frame, I have lost as much as 13.5 pounds. I had a bad weekend, so right now I've lost 10 solid pounds. I have a lot more to go, but it's a start. I'd like to contribute all that success to the 33.5 hours above, but part of it has to do with watching what I eat. I watch what I eat and how often I eat but not always how much I eat. I have started a lifestyle where I eat about 6 times a day. I have little meals more often and that has kept my weight manageable. Also, I have one meal a week where anything goes. I have one meal a week where I don't have to worry about what or how much. And still, I've lost 10 solid pounds.
Some may be saying, "Where's the spiritual growth? How's your walk with the Lord? What're the marks of the Spirit that you see?" Interestingly enough, God is using my physical shrinkage for spiritual growth.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
(Gal 5:22-23)
Through the last few months, I have been learning self-control. It started with choices between television and sleep, running and lazing, chocolate and carrots. Earthly lessons, to be sure, but lessons with a spiritual consequence. I am learning the long-term joy of healthy decisions and that will spill over into my spiritual life. In fact, I'm starting to see it already. As I decide how to spend my limited time, things that used to be appealing are not anymore. There are better ways to spend time rather than kill it. This mindset should pay great dividends eventually.
As I said, little green tips peeking up from what used to be barren earth. Waiting for time, sun, water, and a little struggle to make them strong.