Refocus on Well Doing

After my childish temper-tantrum, I settled in to my bible reading for the day. I'm reading through 1 Peter, finishing up chapter 4.  Verses 12-19 address the persecution the believers of the early church were facing. Horrific persecution. I was immediately humbled by my foolish focus on my miniscule irritations in comparison. Still, I was sure this passage of scripture was not going to touch on my efforts at weight-loss. These issues were far more serious than a Pound-a-Week crazy woman's obsessions. As I read, the Lord challenged me greatly, asking to what extent I was sharing in His sufferings. (v.12) I continued to be humbled and reflect on my hardened heart. That's when my eyes were finally opened.

I love how the Lord uses His word to apply to Every. Single. Detail. of our lives. ;-)

Journal entry:
>"Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator." 1 Peter 4:19

Lord, help me focus on your purposes and commands in my life- filling my heart and time obeying. Then I can know that any struggles I face are appointed by You, Lord. And in knowing that, I can rejoice and press on - assured that I am committing the keeping of my soul to you in well doing.

And there it is. The goal is not the result. The goal is the Well Doing. You already have the result in hand - the keeping of my soul. You have accomplished this for me already. The results  of my efforts, whether they be weight lost, children well trained, an orderly home, a thriving marriage - those results are not my responsibility. My work is in the Well Doing.

Practically put, the scale is not my goal. It is not my measuring rod. It is a faulty standard that varies as the wind. Just as I would be off course if I were to measure my life by the compass of the world's morality, so I am frustrated by making the scale the standard of my health. You are in charge of the results, Lord. I am in charge of the Well Doing.

My efforts at eating well, exercising, seeking You and Your refining in this area of my life - these are my acts of worship, my sacrifice of praise. You will be glorified in my Well Doing, which is the TRUE result.

As I consider how this looks practically, I understand that it is time to set the scale aside until I can use it as a tool rather than an idol. I've decided to find a different way to guage my weekly progress and take the scale out just once a month. I confess, that is going to be hard. My flesh wants to see those little numbers, it's like a lottery addiction or something. Crazy.

For now, I'm working on developing some weekly goals focused on building my strength and eating choices. Things like increasing the amount of sit-ups and the distance I can cover in my afternoon 15 walk. Continuing to increase the raw fruits and vegies I'm eating at each meal. Getting adequate rest and staying focused on building a lifestyle of health rather than an obsession with my weight.

These were my goals from the start. Anyone thinking of this verse? "You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?" Gal. 5:7

I'm going to think through more on how I want to develop these goals. For now, I'm basking in the love of my heavenly Father. I'm so grateful that He gently, yet firmly guides me back to Him.

"And let us not grow weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Gal. 6:9