I’m preparing for a Fitness Challenge.????

Yesterday someone was telling me they didn’t have the discipline, energy, or motivation to make a change even though they know that for the sake of their health, they desperately need to. I assured them that it’s OK and that I have nothing but love for them. ❤

I don’t get discouraged when someone is not ready to change because they fear it or don’t believe it is possible. It just means it’s not time yet.

Most of the time change is scary, even if it is changing from a bad situation when that is what you know and are used to.

Here’s the thing, you have to go through the uncomfortable to get to the other side, or to climb out. There is no getting around it. You have to make the decision to do it. ????

I remember when I got high and smoked cigarettes, which I started in high school; maybe junior high, of course thinking it would not be a problem. I was a hot mess!

Years later when I began to awaken????, I knew it WAS most definitely a PROBLEM, but I honestly didn’t know who I would be if I didn’t do those things! ????

Regarding smoking, I struggled to quit, and even after quitting cigarettes for 6 years, one stressful weekend I picked up a cigarette and struggled AGAIN until finally in 2000 I quit for good! Thank you, LORD!

During a time when I was in a really dark place, my best friend would say, “Is today the day (to make a change)?” I had some tough, tough decisions to make. I would think about it, and think, no, it wasn’t. Then she would say, “That’s ok if it’s not. When you have had enough, you will do something about it!”

In my study today, I was reading is a 31-Day Devotional from my Preacher Sister Friend, Keshia Dixon. It’s called, “One Day Closer”.  On Day 26, titled, Put It to Work, she talks about a story in Luke when Jesus is teaching his disciples the importance of forgiveness. He tells them if their brother does them wrong and asks for forgiveness 70 times in one day, to forgive them. And their response was to ask him for more faith!????

Here’s the point. Jesus tells them they don’t need more faith, that the small faith of a mustard seed is enough. If you have faith, you “possess the hope of possibility”. (One Day Closer)

I’ve read and heard this story many times, but the book talks about the resilience of the little seed. “There is life, growth, and reproductive potential in the seed.”

Did you know a mustard seed can produce in the worse conditions? “The key is to release it.”

In order to release faith to move toward your goals:

1. You have to believe that you can. I always say not to compare your journey to others but you can look to others for inspiration. If they did it, under worse circumstances than you; you can do it too!

2. Know that the faith is already there. You have faith in the fact that you can or in the fact that you can’t. Doubt is faith in the fact that you can’t. Instead of putting your faith or power in the fact that you can’t, you can do put faith in the fact that you can.  I still encourage my 60, 70, 80-year-old family and friends. If you smoke at 80, you can still quit!  You may wonder what is the point, it’s too late. It’s not. YOu know why? Because you are still here!

3. Even while you are in the situation you are in, give thanks in advance for achieving your goal. You don’t have to wait until you achieve it to start thinking about how you will feel and what you will do when you achieve it. That will get you closer to your goal.

4. Remember it’s your job to have faith. Do what you can do and trust God to do the rest.