Realizations

I'd have to say that this week, the one thing I've realized is:

Understand that every step in the right direction is a victory in the battlefield of war.


It's all about the baby steps.  And which direction will I choose to go.


I've been taking those baby steps, especially in the area of my health.  Learning how to eat a BALANCED meal, that is PORTIONED.  Learning to incorporate exercise into my daily life.  Learning that every small choice that I make matters.


In essence, learning to listen to my Abba Father in the area of health and wholeness.


And it's been an exciting journey.  I've stumbled on several things that have changed in the past 3 weeks:

1. My stomach HATES soda...mostly the non-diet variety, when I do choose to drink soda.  Learned that last night.
2. My stomach HATES junk food.  Learned that yesterday.
3. My body CRAVES good-for-me things.  Mostly fruits and veggies, but w/ the occasional meat tossed here and there into the meal.  And I'm just now realizing...I haven't eaten much meat the past 3 weeks.  Some ham in my egg mc-muggin, some turkey pepperoni in my mini-pizzas, but quite honestly, I think that's really been the only meat.  Wow.  Kinda cool to realize that I very rarely eat meat now, but instead enjoy more veggies and fruits. :)
4. My body CANNOT STAND very much sugar anymore.  Too much sugar, and apparently my body decides to breakout into a semi-allergic reaction.  And it's only w/ the sweet sugary stuff.  I mean, I know I prayed that He help take away the sugar cravings, but I didn't think He'd do it that way. lol
5. When I don't exercise, I miss it.  Yes, really.  It's kinda weird to realize that.  I MISS EXERCISE. haha Doesn't mean I want to always do it.  Or even that I like it.  But I've trained my brain to realize that if I miss a workout on a scheduled day, it means I have to be even MORE disciplined in what I eat and do activity wise.
6. I can't do this journey alone.  I love posting certain things on facebook, and seeing/reading the encouragement of "you go girl" or "keep it up" or "every calorie counts".  What most people realize is...*insert girl moment here* I get really teary eyed when I read/see those.  If I sit and examine why, the biggest reason for that reaction: I'm so thankful.  I'm thankful for the people in my life who are encouraging me with their cheers.  I'm finally realizing how much I am worth.  After years of not understanding, not "getting it", not seeing it...  I'm realizing that I matter, that I'm someone "important".  That He sees me and REALLY sees me, every bit...and loves me no matter what.  The head knowledge is aligning with the heart knowledge He has been telling me for years. :)
7. When I walk in joy, the victories are the greatest, even if on occasion the step I take leads to a minor defeat.  I know.  Kind of confusing.  But let me break it down: this week, despite the stress, the junk, and everything else, I told my Abba Father that I would CHOOSE to walk in joy.  And those moments where I have made a CONSCIOUS EFFORT to choose joy, despite that step of, "I'll just eat one more chip, one more candy, one more yada yada yada", despite that, I've gotten up, dusted myself off, and kept on walking towards the right path. Yes, minor detours. But the realization of: I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP.  I CHOOSE NOT TO QUIT.  I SEE THE EYE OF THE TIGER (JESUS).  

So, that's what I've been realizing this week.

That I've been growing up in increments.

It's been rough.  It's been difficult.  Several times I've wanted to give in to the temptations and eat my way through emotions.  But I chose to talk with Jesus instead.  I chose to lay the temptations at the cross AND RUN.  Not to stand by the cookie jar (candy jar at the office), but instead, to go, "Jesus, I don't want to be the old me anymore.  I am CHOOSING TO BELIEVE for my word: supernatural weight loss.  Thank You for helping me make the RIGHT CHOICE in order to gain the VICTORY in the battlefield.

With that being said, my prayer for you:

That you would learn to rely on Him in the battlefield, so that when it comes to make the choice of flee or give in, you choose instead to run to Him, to listen to His voice, in order to win the victory in the midst of the war.