June 22, 2012 - Discipline and Peace Walking Hand in Hand

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (NLT) Don't you wish things like this were not true??? I do! How many of you have ever said after you've had a really successful health day (eaten on plan, drank your water, moved your body), "Wow, I feel really bad. I wish I had cheated all day long and eaten everything I wanted to and laid on the sofa stuffing my face." Really? I doubt that. Usually at the completion of a great day we feel a sense of peace, a sense of joy, a sense of victory. During the day - while disciplining our bodies and training our stomachs to live with smaller portions and without certain foods - maybe then we snarl and say "not so pleasant phrases" (wink), but when we've had a victory day - peace comes. Yes??? And let's be honest - don't we prefer that? I certainly do. I would MUCH rather awaken for coffee and morning quiet time not feeling a sense of loathing and failure. And, I prefer to awaken EVERY morning with that same peaceful, joyful sense of accomplishment. How does that happen? 1) We HAVE a plan - do you know what the boundaries are for your health? We must establish them in concrete and know that we know this is what our body requires. I know what I need daily and when my flesh tries to convince me otherwise - I call my flesh a liar! I remind myself at the restaurant - not everything on this menu is available for you. :) 2) We WORK the plan - do you have the courage to take your own food to a function or call ahead and ask if there are foods on your plan? Let's make the plan work WHEREVER. 3) We DISCIPLINE ourselves - have you trained your body to comply with "you're not the boss of me?" Two year olds scream and want their way; but as adults we don't cave because we KNOW what's best. We must use this principle of discipline in our daily walk. (in many areas I just heard the Holy Spirit say) Re-read the above scripture. Discipline equals a peaceful harvest of right living. That's worth fighting for in my life! How about yours? Discipline during the day, each day, equals LONG-TERM health and YOU, my friends, are SO worth it. Love to all, PK PS - for those planning to come to my house next Sunday night, July 1st - please bring a notebook to start keeping the recipes shared monthly. And, please bring 10 copies of the recipe for the dish you brought to share. This will help us all to make a cook book, share a healthy meal, and PRAY for the health of our bodies.