The Strength Approach to Christian Wellnessનમૂનો

Introduction

When you and I took the first step to submit our lives to Jesus, we saw more clearly that His plans are for our good and His glory. The other thing growing slowly in our souls is steady confidence to take baby steps of faith to trust Him more. As we lean into the Holy Spirit for guidance, peace, and the ability to make better decisions, we feel empowered.

In this eight-day plan, I hope to present the STRENTH approach as we walk through the struggle of improving and maintaining our metabolic health. We know keeping our waist circumference below 35 inches for women, and 40 inches for men, is important. But do we know the same factors that's increasing our weight are also creating inflammation, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol issues that steal our joy?

Alongside the frame of mind variables in this plan is the opportunity to embrace the value of intentional eating. We’ll begin to appreciate the tender heart of our loving Father as we see His divine nature in the things He made are for our good and His glory. He provides everything we need to sustain us.

Inviting the Holy Spirit into this process as we meditate on God’s plan for our good, will give us the strength to say goodbye to the cycle of yo-yo dieting. We’ll get out of the metabolic rut and move forward stronger and well-equipped to face each day. The senseless cycle of feeling dejected and like a failure because change is so intimidating, will vanish.

S=Strategies for Change

Strategies begin with small steps that lead to big changes. The first strategy is to pray for more of God and less of self. A focus on self will always find discontent because it is on wants instead of needs. Secondly, we’ll pray about what God is calling us to change in our lives. It may be in an area of relationship in the workplace, church, or home. Or it may be the failure to grow in faith due to fear, anger, or anxiety in a toxic culture.

T=Tastes that Satisfy

Tastes are powerful motivators and distractors! Did you know our taste buds replenish themselves every ten days? New cells can develop new tastes as we begin to learn the value of intentional eating and why God’s Garden is so Good.

R=Receive the Benefits of God’s Provision

In scripture and the garden, God provides a healing plan to restore and repair cells. Mind, body, and spirit are renewed when we walk with him daily. You and I can explore filling our minds with promise, purpose, and strength.

E=Engage Family and Friends for Support

Although it would be nice, we truly cannot do these things alone. How many times have we started a new plan, and someone close to us unwittingly tempts us to take three steps back? We’ll learn how to confront and command respect for our choices… in a nice way! Who knows? They may even want to join us!

N=Never Give up Hope

We’ll number the days of relying on ourselves to do everything and focus on the Holy Spirit’s power. We’ll take a closer look at needs as opposed to wants, too. Numbering the days of reliance on comfort food, material items, gossip, or whatever is holding us back will bring new life to the hope within us.

G=Grace to Self for Times of Weakness

Let’s face it, we all have setbacks, obstacles, and moments of weakness. Grace doesn’t condemn but realizes change is a process. Victory comes in permanent lifestyle habits that build a stronger mind and body. But it doesn’t always happen in one or two weeks. It takes repeated failures to learn and grow. See, more good news! We’ll learn to look at failure in a whole new light!

T=Thank God for His Faithfulness As We Actively Express Our Gratitude

God loves us despite our continually turning to the things of this world to satisfy our longings. We can tell him in prayer our deep desires and our struggles. Thankfulness and actively showing gratitude in our communities will fill us with assurance. God listens and understands, as he stands beside us along the way.

H=Hold onto the Holy Spirit as He Guides Us in Change

Scripture memory is so helpful in this area, especially when temptation is present and persistent. He is for us and not against us! He wants our mind and body to live the abundant life Jesus calls us to live.

There! We now have the eight-step process to make lifelong change. Does this sound like a plan?

Stay tuned for the next eight days as we break down the eight steps of this plan to help us get started on a cleaner, clearer, healthier way of living through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We can keep Psalm 73:26 in mind today as we begin this new journey!