This is my year to be healthy! Does that sound familiar to you? I have declared that many times, yet I haven’t always (ok, hardly ever) reached or followed through with my health goals. I’m guessing many of you reading will admit that you are not the most disciplined in this area either; whether you are or not, please keep reading!
“I’m not that disciplined” is just one of the excuses I’ve used when neglecting to make healthy choices. The truth is, health is about a lot more than just discipline. Making healthy choices is one aspect of purposeful living—being mindful and aware of how our thoughts and actions align with our beliefs, as well as how they affect ourselves and others.
We know that our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health are all interconnected; it would take many, many blog posts to even scratch the surface regarding the topic of holistic health. But today, let’s just consider one aspect: our physical health. Healthy living will take discipline, but let’s first consider how we should think about our [physical] health. One of the reasons I don’t always stick with my health goals is because I’m not thinking correctly about them. The first step to our moving forward might start with identifying thought patterns that have held us back.
Let’s identify some of these unhealthy or unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more healthy and helpful thoughts:
1. We are in denial.
Truthfully, we may not want to think about the state of our physical health and/or recognize our unhealthy habits.
We need to face reality and take an accurate personal assessment (maybe ask a loved one for their input). Questions to ask ourselves include: What is my energy level? How is my endurance? What are my physical habits (eating, sleeping, managing stress)? Calculate your BMI (this is a very rough starting point). If you are older, have you seen your doctor for appropriate screening labs for your age?
2. We really don’t care.
Maybe we are not in denial, but we don’t see making healthier choices as being important.
Let’s consider how our physical health might be contributing to other areas in our life, such as our emotional, mental, and even spiritual health. Ask yourself, “How can I most glorify God with the body I have been given?”
3. We feel discouraged or hopeless.
It’s not unusual to have struggled with poor habits for years or even decades.
Maybe “being healthy” seems too far off or unattainable for you.We must rely on God’s power to overcome this unhealthy thinking. Rely on Him for strength as you take one day at a time. Ask your community of support to pray for you, encourage you, and hold you accountable.
4. We’re playing the comparison game.
When you hear the word “healthy”, do you picture someone else’s version of healthy? That may leave you jealous or frustrated at your own situation.
Run your own race. God has made you uniquely, and His plan for your life and body won’t look like anyone else’s. You will have different challenges and limitations, but stay focused on pursuing health with joy as you seek to honor God.
5. It’s really just about vanity.
This happens when our health goals really aren’t health goals....we just want to look good in those jeans.
We must fight against the idol of vanity. It’s natural to want to look our best, but beware. The enemy wants us to forget our true purpose by keeping us obsessed over our outward appearance. Link arms with other women to fight off the idol of vanity. Also, think about limiting your Instagram scrolling...it’s really unfair to compare yourself to Beyoncé.
Consider spending some time in thought and prayer asking God to give you strength as you pursue a healthier life. Even one small healthy choice is a success. Give yourself grace and let’s cheer each other on!
Meet the Author!
Taylor is the wife of Council Road's Groups Pastor, Micah White, and mother to Navy and Foster. She works as a PA in Oklahoma City, and is also passionate about serving and edifying the local Church. She most enjoys time with her family, but can also be found reading, teaching, making music, hand-lettering, and hosting gatherings. She loves a friendly debate and a good laugh.