Journey of focus

Looking back on just a few short years, I realize how much age and stress make a difference. When I was in women’s ministry I focused on worshiping through fitness, understanding that we are a temple for the holy spirit and therefore should take care of our bodies, mind, and spirit. I made sure to pray, exercise, and read my bible each for a minimum of 15 minutes daily…in addition to eating right. I did well for a while until life and loss happened. Giving into stress and being distracted by life’s circumstances, I began smoking again, eating junk, leaving women’s ministry, etc. Although my faith hasn’t faltered my example surely has! Selfishness began running my life. I’ve struggled with being content with who God created me to be, struggled to quit smoking, struggled with ALL aspects of being healthy…always talking about it but never following through with it. The older I get the harder it seems to be to get back on track. I write out plans, mark the calender, tell people I want to hold me accountable, then…. failure.  I rely on family and friends to encourage me and lovingly hold me accountable ~ then when they forget or don’t follow through, I just give up and blame them…then I blame me and beat myself up…then start all over. The truth is that although support and encouragement from loved ones is ideal, at the end of the day, every choice I make is MINE. I can’t draw upon other peoples strength – I need to draw upon God’s strength! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). “They who put hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). These are a couple of my favorite scriptures and I all to often push them aside instead of finding strength and encouragement in them. NOT ANYMORE!!