I would like to add something to what I previously wrote. Earlier this year I took a Beth Moore Bible study titled Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit.
She makes a point in the final chapter that Self-control STOPS. The
second point for the lesson reads "From a strictly biblical point of
view (as opposed to medical), physical fitness is probably more about
FREEDOM than SIZE. Keep in mind that EXTREME conditions call for
FOCUSED measures. The ultimate goal for most of us, however, is FREEDOM
from obsession so that GOD rather than the body can be glorified. This
goal is most often realized through recapturing the lost art of
MODERATION; and learning to do what we NEED to do, then GETTING on with
living."
This spoke to me because of how often I get
caught up in weighing myself and beating myself up about something I
ate, all the while subjecting myself to the bondage and frustration this
brings. I began working out (GASP!) and gained 1.5 lbs, and absolute
panic set in. Yeah, yeah, I know, muscle weighs more than fat, but when
you spend the good part of a year focused on losing the pounds, gaining
does not do my heart good.
At the end of the day, it's
about experiencing freedom and finding moderation. I want to be free
from obsession so I can finish this race I'm on with a mind focused on
the finish line. There is a new generation looking to me to pass the
baton and I want to point them to the glory of God, not to how good or
bad I think I look. Let's find freedom and moderation, then do what we
need to do and get on with living!
Wow, Anna, both of these posts were so encouraging! Thanks for being so honest about not only your successes but also your struggles, as an individual and as a family. I love all the thoughts about eating real food, too. I try to do this for our family and Elliott is actually more into it than I am, so that's definitely motivation to keep working at it! I also love to get recipes from Becca Arthur, as she seems to do this so naturally. If you have more wisdom to share about this as you work on it--particularly 'real food' Italian recipes--I'd love to hear them!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting, all the Italian recipes I have consist of clean and fresh ingredients. I made a banana pudding for a lunch with some Italian friends, and I wasn't exactly sure how to explain Cool-Whip! I'm pretty sure that's a bad sign!
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