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The negative side causes "denial" which could delay or cancel the need for changes. Therefore, there is a need for a "reality check" and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the true picture. For some reason I feel this is where the Lord has me this year....stepping back to have a "reality check". He is giving some practical ways to do this, along with quiet time for heart issues.
Oswald Chambers hit a "home run" in his devotional, The Failure to Pay Close Attention.
"Are there some things regarding your physical or intellectual life to which you have
been paying no attention at all?..........As you can't take off a day of morality and remain
moral , neither can you take a day off spiritually and remain spiritual. God wants you
to be entirely His, and it requires paying close attention to keep yourself fit. It also
takes a tremendous amount of time."
This time of year is known for "Spring Cleaning"....making this the right season to step back and take "a reality check", before the warning lights start to blink.
So far, the reality of being overweight became a "reality check" at my doctor's appointment in January, which challenged me to hit the gym... now for other areas in my life that needs "reality checks"...and post to show my progression or maybe "denial" while I put back on "rose-colored-glasses".
32 Joining in with more words:
honey i am right there beside you...
i ask myself, am i gonna do something about it, or keep ignoring things because to look at them will require facing reality, maybe some pain, some letting go, and change. i get excited about the idea of change, but sometimes the reality of it is scary!
and even though i cannot make permanent change with out God changing my heart, there is something required of me!
much love to you dear friend!
Ditto, Janette. I know the things I need to do but don't do them (at least not regularly).Thank you for this gentle reminder about exercising our relationship with the Father, too. I could sure use tuning up!
Oh my! This is a double zing. I've just come from reading Becky at Hospitality Lane. I guess I don't have to wonder what the Lord's telling me. (This is why I hate to listen to myself or have my photo taken or watch home movies. ;> )
I feel like, of late, I am doing much more 'Reality checks'. Looking for balance, doing what is best rather than what is good. It is so easy to become overwhelmed with things I need/want to do. This post is helpful :)
The photos are funny too!
What a terrific post. You have the ability to make me laugh and pause to think in the same sentence. God prepared me to face a few harsh realities this year with areas He has been dealing with me in for most of my life. He finally had to resort to breaking my leg (figuratively) to get me to bend the knee in these places. In true God fashion, it has only caused me to love him more. Have a wonderful week dancing dear friend. Patty
Good morning! Well I certainly enjoyed these photos, haha...Unfornately it is soo me. I have the pictures or thoughts in my mind of how I WANT to be. How I want to look, how healthy I want to be, how spiritually together I am, and on and on...sigh. And then something happens, or I get a glimpse of myself in a mirror somewhere and am slapped with reality. Why is it ALWAYS a shock? might be a good question. Anyway, you are soo right. None of these things just happen. It requires DAILY commitment, and definite work. --- And with His help (and inspiration from wonderful women like you) I WILL stay in the race.... : ) Have a good day Janette!
Great post. I always see myself as thinner than I really am and that is a bummer. :-)
Love love the Oswald Chambers quote? Have you read his biography?
Ooh, those reality checks are painful! Thankful to have a friend like you who can pull me along:)
Ooh, those reality checks are painful! Thankful to have a friend like you who can pull me along:)
wonderful words! Thank you! Blessings. Amy
Totally agree! I love how Oswald Chambers delivers his punches so eloquently every time. Blessings!
I was doing my Bible Study this morning and it was on complaining. Yet, the picture that was used was Job. I just can't really get behind Job being a complainer. He lost everything except his wife, he was covered in boils so if he had a few bad days well there you go, I was thinking about my own rose colored glasses. I know we all need to be aware of how we really look, but I think that just living life and enjoying each day is just nice sometimes.
You made me laugh with those pictures because I know for a fact how I look when I dance and when I run are always the second pictures. :)
You do such a nice job making me aware of things I haven't noticed before. My son the 19 year old told me shyly the other day about how he felt it had been a long time since he had thanked God for just being God. ( I smiled inside to hear him say that.) Then he told me some really great things that had happened to him the next day. It was so sweet and such a lovely thing right away, I thought, How come I don't just thank God for being God. :)
Have a great day, wow I am all over with this.
I guess I need to start the vacuum. :)
Convicted!!! I don't do a thing to keep fit. I used to be an ultra marathoner and have let my body go to pot...long story. Thanks for the reminder that it is just as important as my spiritual life: well not really but...it is worth attempting. Even if I look like some of your photos.
Love the pictures...too funny.I got a little dog so I would be motivated to start daily walking again. Turns out he's not the kind of dog who likes to walk--even hates his leash. He wants to run up and down in the steep back yard and chase tennis balls so I stand there and throw balls instead of walking. At least my arms are going to be in good shape soon. :0)
Great pictures to go with a great message, Janette!
The Oswald Chambers quote was great and oh so true. Having a bit of a "reality check" myself...it's not pretty...but its also not the end of the story...continuing to press on.
Philippians 1:6
Have a wonderful day!
I am so grateful He continues to nudge and remind us... and thank you for being His helper. ;) blessings and hugs ~ Tanna
I struggle with getting older...retaining water, exercise, sleep, quiet time with God,and in the midst I live as a recovered bulimic and anorexic. Finding the balance between all of it is something I recently wrote about at my blog...it's a post called "Anti-Virus, Divine Style" and www.brendayoder.blogspot.com.
Thanks for the reminder that our physical health is important.
Ok Janette! I laughed out loud to this post!! :)
I think we all need a good reality check...I know that I do!
I really wish keeping the weight off was easier...maybe if I posted a pic of the way that "I used to look" on my fridge that would be a motivator?! Hmmm......
Great post, Janette. You are so right on both the spiritual and physical levels. We can't go around feeling so awful about ourselves we can't function, yet we cannot ignore what does need attention. You intertwined the two beautifully!
Funny! True, too!
He's so gracious and understanding. I love how He honors our obedience.
i am well acquainted with those rose
colored glasses. :) i guess it's time
to get real.
I got such a kick out of the pictures! You do make me laugh...often; and you also have a way of bringing it all together for a great message! Love the Oswald Chambers quote. I haven't read this devotional but I will now! Thanks for the reality check!
I actually hate looking at photos of myself now. I've gained weight with the stress of all that's been going on in my life the last few years. But I did get my treadmill back so I am beginning to get back in the saddle again. I'm just not consistent yet. Thanks for the reality check.
Love,
Debbie
I love Oswald Chambers and that he is so wise only adds to his appeal. Good for you on the gym, good luck.
Ok-I need more sleep-I hit on the bottom of your page create a link instead of comment and so it made a reference back to your page with my comment on my page as a post. lol I will try this again.
Oh I wish this wasn't true for me but on many levels it is. Thank you for the giggles over the photos. :) What does the first weekend in May look like for you my friend?! Let me know. Hugs-hope you have an awesome week.
Love you
Excellent! I laughed at the pictures, and they prepared me well for your point to be driven home.
I felt the same way trying on a dress yesterday. I looked in the mirror, and yikes I was so discouraged. Seriously. I don't know where it came from. I THOUGHT I was being diligent with my diet and health. I just hadn't been stepping on the scale.
And so, it's the same with my Spirit.
I just deleted a big old long part because I think I just wrote a blog post. If I have time, I'll be writing it.
And I'll shout you out for inspiration.
Love how you think and where you take me on these posts! Reality checks are important, but forgotten on a daily journey. Thanks for the reminder!
I'm sure I would simply scare myself to death if I saw what I looked like when exercising! You are right about facing reality- it is a tough road..but with God sitting on our shoulder and guiding us through each day..there is nothing to fear.
Much to think about, Janette, I am finding myself in the same boat, how wonderful to have such great company!
Hugs,
Sue
What a delight to read your post (and have a few laughs!) this morning! Yes, change is a challenge and an opportunity. As hard as it is sometimes, we must take advantage of every opportunity that God places before us; embrace it and look at all the positive possibilities that exist if we change our attitudes, our perspective, and our thinking!
Blessings and love!
Denise
That Chamber's quote (as most of his are) cuts to "the quick" for me!
Luke 11:42 came to my mind as I read this post - particularly the last part of it..."These are the things you should have practiced, without neglecting the others."
I know what the "these things" are for me.
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