Happy New Year! You’re officially a week into a new month, a new year, and a new decade! Hopefully, it’s off to a great start.
If you’re like me, you enjoyed the holidays with all the turkey, stuffing, Christmas cookies, pie, pumpkin roll, ham, eggnog, etc. ad nauseam. If you’re also like me, you weren’t quite as active as normal during the holiday season, and thus, between the treats and the busy, you might notice a change in the mirror or on the scale. January seems like a good time to “get back on track,” “turn over a new leaf,” and it is, but it’s crucial to do it God’s way, not the world’s way: a different New Year’s resolution.
The world goes to the gym in January to get the summer beach body or because they feel guilty and shameful for the way they look in the mirror or the number on the scale. We will not participate in that (Rom 8:1)!
Look back on the holidays. Think about the things you ate. Did you enjoy them? Were you thankful for them? Did you receive them as a gift from the Father (I Tim 6:17)? On the flip side, did you indulge? Did you overdo it? Did you make yourself miserable with food?
Thanksgiving is my favorite meal of the year. Turkey, stuffing, rolls, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed corn, and a coke. Heaven on the palate. Then comes homemade Christmas cookies, eggnog that’s only around once a year (what’s up with that?!), pumpkin roll.
Here’s the point: I hold the tension of sincere thankfulness for the season and the food that comes with it. It’s a gift and should be received as such. But I also know I made myself miserable a couple of times because I chose not to stop when appropriate.
So here we are in January. Now we’re faced with a choice. We can strive to get back to the weight we want, resenting the mirror and the scale, allowing shame to compel us to the gym for the first few weeks until the lack of results leads us to give up in frustration. Or we can start from a position of thankfulness.
Delightful foods make for a happy heart. We will reflect on the goodness of the season and posture the heart toward gratitude. Where we were irresponsible and over-indulged we will own that before the Lord in repentance—not in guilt or shame. Then He can teach us about self-control, contentment, and gratitude. We will allow him to sift our hearts to see the motivations that drive us beyond the self-control of His spirit (Gal 5:22).
From that place we may then chart the course toward a physical goal. But it’s a goal not dictated by vanity or shame. It comes from a place of participation and stewardship. Our hearts and eyes must be on the Lord to steward the temple. We are taking care of his dwelling, not a status symbol of our own design. Stewarding the body is a much different thing than getting it ready for the beach.
The stewardship of the body will only be accomplished by doing it with Him. He designed the body, He built it, He gave it life, and He indwells it as His temple (I Cor 6:19). He has a vested interest in seeing it work well. Participating with the Lord in our health leads to freedom: freedom of the heart, freedom of the mind, freedom of the body (Gal 5:1, 2 Cor 3:17).
Participation does not mean it will be an easy or comfortable road. Will it be hard? At times. Will it require dedication? Yes. Will it require denying yourself? Absolutely. Do the work. It will require work. But it will be work begun and sustained by grace, not by empty willpower. And January is a great time to start.
In the comments below, share your journey to health freedom. If you’re in the 31 Days to Weight Loss God’s Way challenge, let us know!
Chuck Johnson-affectionately known as Heather’s husband-serves as a RevWild leader and a Rim2Him Shepherd. He graduated from Revelation Wellness Instructor Training in Platoon 20. Chuck lives in Nebraska with Heather, their three kids, and two dogs.
Thank you for reading this week’s Revelation Wellness Blog! If you missed the deadline to sign up for 31 Days of Weight Loss God’s Way, don’t fear! For a limited time, you can access the challenge for $19.00! Join the challenge TODAY!
Workout with us in this #wednesdayworkout! For more workouts like this, visit RevWell TV!
JOSH’S CIRCUIT TRAINING – “FEAR OR LOVE”
A circuit is a way of incorporating muscle diversity with a variety of movements while allowing you time to practice and perfect the move. You will go through a series of cardiovascular, agility, power, or strength-training stations, then return back through the cycle of stations in order to practice the movement while stirring up your heart rate intensity. (ALL LEVELS) (1 JOHN 4:18; NO EQUIPMENT)
26 Responses
Well said Chuck. My feelings exactly. If we love the Creator, we must take care of the unique gift he has give us.
Yes, Tracy! I’m glad this post affirmed what the Father has been saying to you.
Thank you so much for this reminder. I do not have a weight problem. Yet I Belittle myself that ibam not as slim as i used to be. That happens with age. I am healthy and that is what matters.
Yes! It is so easy to get stuck in a comparison loop, but we can be free from that through Christ!
I am doing the 31 day weight loss God’s way today is day 3. I am really recognizing the freedom in doing it with God versus the I have to get this done attitude.
Also please keep me in prayer I applied for the Ambassador scholarship and I’m waiting to hear back by next week.
We are SO GLAD you are joining us in this Challenge! Taking care of our health is a get to with Christ. I’ll be praying for you with the Ambassador application. 🙂
Amen, brother Chuck.
Amen!
I loved Hearing about Stewardship of my body and also takIng care of my body. I have neVer looked at It this way. I need to remember thEse tHIngs: when i take care of my body i am taking care of his dwelling not just an earthly vessel, god designed my body, built it and gave it life….when i ovEr indulge i need to own it and ask repentence
I’m so glad this post blessed you, Melissa! This is a wonderful way to think about your body and caring for it.
I’m loving the #HisWay31Days Challenge so far! This blog post is just what I needed to read today… Just last night, I asked my husband what was his favorite part of the Christmas holiday, and his first answer Was “eating and drinking whatever we wanted!” Even though we’re both very “off track” from where we were before Thanksgiving, and I do feel some shame in that, the truth is that we both really do love it! The Bible truths in this blog post speak straight to my heart…!
Yes! And Christmas is the time to feast and celebrate, but there is a time to rest from feasting. I love your perspective and I’m glad this blessed you!
I am ready to get my body back on track after the holiday. gods way. Moving more and eating less, reading the words of inspirations.
I’m glad you’re here Vernie! Move, eat, drink, and do all things from love. The Lord is so kind!
I AM MORE THAN BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH DAY 3. THIS CHALLENGE WILL TAKE ME TO SEE MORE THAN MY EYES SEE, AND THIS REMINDER IS MORE THAN NECESSARY. IT WILL BE ALLOWED ME TO REMEMBER WHAT IS MY GOAL. AND MY GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO CARE AND WORK IN THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT IS MY BODY, AND THAT i CAN DO IT IN HIS WAY. I AM VERY ENTHUSIASM WITH THIS CHALLENGE AND I GO FOR MORE.
We are so glad you are here Yomaira!
Hi, great motivation and I love the verse 1 John 4:18! Fear has a hold of so many including myself. I’m learning to let go and let God take control.
I have a question about the music you’re playing, is it a station or songs you’ve put together?
Typically, instructors put a playlist together for each workout. You can find some RW playlists on Spotify. Just search Revelation Wellness.
“sift our hearts to see the motivations that drive us beyond the self-control of His spirit (Gal 5:22).”
So good! Excited to embark on a new year with fresh eyes.
We’re so excited you’re here!
I NEED THIS CHALLENGE. I AM WAY OVER MY HEAD DOING THINGS ON MY OWN. I pray I do not quit.
We pray you do not quit either! The Lord will sustain you. He loves you!
Love this new perspective. I’m doing the 31 day challenge and am definitely digging deeper this time. I’ve done other challenges and although I knew it wasn’t supposed to be about the physical weight, secretly that is what I honestly desired. I want to be free from everything that weighs me down, and this time I can honestly say NOT just the physical weight.
Thank you for sharing and for your persistence to keep coming back. We are praying for your freedom and JOY!
Our hearts and eyes must be on the Lord to steward the temple.
Been praying for self control and healing in the gut. ThAt first sentence is something i will keep in front of me. Only through him can i conquer this
I have been eating EMOTIONALLY to fill uo the pain i feel but only delightful foods will make me happy. BoOm
Thank you for sharing, Cat! God is good!