The balance between being flexible and being disciplined can be tricky when you encounter daily curveballs. Here's a good principle for discernment.
The kids get sick. An unexpected phone call from someone who needs your help. You had a rough night’s sleep and you just don’t feel like waking up and working out.
What is one to do?
Do you push through and make it all happen and call it a heavy dose of self-discipline (which is godly according to God’s word)? Or do you give yourself a pass and call it grace (also a godly necessity according to God’s word)?
It would benefit all of us to know our bend.
For example…my bend is to “get it done!” If there is a load of responsibility hanging around, waiting to be picked up, I will pick it up and nothing else will get dropped. I will pick it up not with a smile in my heart but with a grumble under my breath. I tend to want things the way I want them, when I want them and when something interferes with my plan…watch out! I will find a way to make it all happen, but my heart will feel like it’s been beaten with a 2×4 by the end of the day, and most likely, someone is going to get hurt by my sloppy form of love.
Instead of responding in love, I gather up more “self-discipline” and it ends up feeling more like a duty than my get to. I WILL get it done. AND I will be exhausted in my soul and the likelihood of casualties happening is a high probability.
Some of you bend the other way. You are the first to put others first. You question the necessity of making time for caring for yourself when others or other things (your job, your boss, your kids, your friends) are in need of your love and attention. You love others well, but yourself…mmm…not so well. You feel pretty gifted in the art of grace.
So…what’s a girl/guy to do?
Just Ask God
A few years back, as the Lord was beginning to break me free from my stubborn self-discipline cycle, He said “Alisa…if you feel like you should workout, don’t. That’s just pride, and you know how I feel about a prideful heart.”
“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13
If you feel like you don’t want to work out because you don’t think it matters… That’s rebellion setting in. This may be a time when you should work out!
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15
And on the days it doesn’t seem clear either way, go to God and ask Him what to do. He will let you know if you need to make it happen by the power of grace, or give yourself the grace to make some space for love and rest.
Let’s face it, friends…this living a whole life (heart, mind, soul, and strength) in Christ, hinges on a thriving and ongoing relationship with Christ. He’s not surprised about the world “shoulding” on us or how our “I don’t want to” rebellious heart gets in the way of our free and whole lives. He lives in us to keep setting us free.
Next time we are confused about what to do, let’s go to him and ask. He most certainly is capable of telling us what we are to do, IF (that’s a big if) we are willing to lay our anxious hearts aside so we can listen and do.
The Best Workout You Can Do Today
Here’s a daily AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) workout EVERYONE is called to do whether they do or do not go the gym or break a sweat. This is why we workout…so we can do THIS workout;
The Love AMRAP Workout:
1. Receive God’s love.
2. Give God’s love.
3. Repeat as many rounds as possible until your head hits the pillow.
4. Repeat every day, all day, until you can no longer do it.
5. THEN rest in God’s presence until you are good to go again.
He’s just getting started!
Alisa Keeton
Author, speaker, and freedom bringer, Alisa’s life’s purpose is to make healthy disciples who make healthy disciples. She believes in the power of the Body Of Christ and its many unique parts making up one complete whole. Like any body, it grows best under tension. We are living in the best of times for tension. Let’s train!
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We answer all your questions, from: Why does exercise matter to how to burn calories without working out.
This guide shows you how to begin a fitness routine from a place of grace and joy instead of fear and guilt. This is a health journey like you’ve never experienced before.
6 Responses
Alisa,
I cannot tell you how much I needed this RIGHT THIS MINUTE. I sit here in tears feeling like a failure because I did not work out this morning. I am exhausted today-the weight of decisions to be made and an overworked body telling me to rest, my prideful stubbornness causing me to feel as though I have failed. Thank you for reminding me to listen and obey. Thank you for giving me HIS permission to rest. Thank you for being you and for being obedient.
Praying for you always.
God bless,
Tina
Grace upon grace for you Tina…know your bend! 🙂
I haven’t been able to the workouts, but I run/walk every lunch time I have the opportunity to do so. And I am thoroughly loving the running. In fact, I would love to get to the point of doing a 5km run soon! But, I have shinsplints – and they are sore, and my legs are sore, and I am feeling tired, tired, tired. And guilty because I really want to run, but feel it is best to take a day off today (I have my running kit with me), but I honestly think it is best to run next week and give myself today a little rest. Thank you so much – I was feeling so guilty, but now feel a little more at ease.
Oh I get it 😉 Thanks for sharing. Yah…God is never found in guilt. Wholeness means we will feel, but we don’t have to agree with our feelings. They are there to drive us closer into the presence of God where our peace, and power are found. Nothing else in this world will ever really satisfy us more than knowing we are His. Stay free!
Hi Alisa! You referenced a book on the website, when speaking about “Feed More, Weigh Less”. I’m wondering if you have a book, or could recommend one on the topics you vlog about? I’ve been so blessed by your ministry since I was introduced to it by my dear friend a few months ago. His love never quits.
Hi kim,
There are quiet a few books that are driving forces behind WL2FM. One is Tim Keller’s “Counterfiet Gods” others…”Women, Food and God” it’s a secular book but it addresses the truth that everyone is searching for contentment that leads to knowing the reason for why we are here. I hope that helps. So glad the Lord led you here! Welcome!