Who Gets the Credit?

by | Jun 4, 2013 | Uncategorized | 2 comments

weightsAs I’ve powered through many a workout these past few months (getting ready for bathing suit season), I’ve thought, “WOW! I’m a rock star!”

Yep, that’s what I’ve been thinking because normal “Meg” would rather snuggle back in bed and lazily drift through each day.  BUT…I haven’t.  Shocking.

Instead, I’ve gotten up day in and day out, put on these wretched spandex pieces and dragged myself to the gym. Argh.

After four months of hardcore cardio and weight lifting, I’m finally seeing some results that are pleasing to my eye (anyone who knows me understands that I’m a harsh critic of my body).

However, I’ve got this layer of fat that just won’t go away!!!!  For the LOVE!!!! (Now, can you see the harsh critic coming out?)

The point is that I’ve found myself taking all of the credit for something that God has already given me the strength to do.  By no means are all these workouts done with “Meg strength” because, truthfully, I’m just not that strong, much less motivated to get my body into tip-top shape.

It’s all God.

I can feel the hand of God pushing me, motivating me and pulling me through each and every exercise and I know He is leading me to something more.

And here I was thinking that four months of calisthenics would get me the body I dream of and then I could quit and go back to “Lazy Meg”!  YIKES!

In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10

God is doing the same in my everyday life.

Lately, I have been walking through many trials, but I’m still standing.  Again…shocking.

There have been many times when I wanted to rant and rave, crawl in a hole and hide, or cry until the tears are no more – but where would any of those activities get me?

Answer: no where.

The reality is that as much work as I put forth towards exercise or anything else in life…I will always have more work…more growth…and more learning.

A few months of hard work or a few trials gone through does not make Meg a rock star.  Sigh.

These labors show me how God is working in my life, giving me strength and pushing me on to the next stage.

In my exercise life, I think the next stage is going to be about getting serious with the food portion of transforming my body.  (OH, WHY? OH WHY? CAN’T CHOCOLATE AND ICE CREAM BE A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE????)

In fact, a random guy at the gym told me that food is 90% of transforming your body.  BOOOHOOO!

In my “REAL” life – I’m trying to be open to God’s leading, teaching (and maybe a little bit of His dragging) me to what is next.

I don’t want to stay in a self-dug rut because I’m too stubborn to obey God and allow Him to pull me to the next level.

So, how do we do this?

  1. Put blinders on to the pessimism, fear, doubt and guilt that stand between us and the place where God wants us to be. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
  2. Realize that it is NOT by OUR strength, power, or rock star(ness) that we’re capable of ANYTHING!  “That people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.” Isaiah 45:6-7
  3. Give God the Glory (and stop hogging all the kudos)! “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

The hurdles I’m facing in my body transformation are closely related to the obstacles we face each day of our lives.  We have to make a commitment to change…THEN DO IT…all the while submitting to God’s will and letting go of our own.

Tough charge, but then again, we are talking about GOD!!!

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 19:21 – Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

2 Comments

  1. Jason

    Pride is a hard human emotion to put down. Many of us had the value of Self sufficiency beat into us from childhood. I know I did. I am not saying that it is bad. You are more able to help others if you are not needy yourself. The problem arises when we think that we can handle everything and we don’t need God. Whether we say it or not, when we do everything our way or we don’t pray for guidance, we are telling God that we don’t need Him. Pride is the most egregious of the 7 deadly sins.

    I have tried to practice deflecting praise to shine on Him. I know that it only takes a little to make my head grow and then it is off to the “me” races. If someone complements me at work, I try to immediately take that light off me and say that we are all being Blessed. When good things happen, I try to remember to say “Thank You” right away. It keeps me from wanting to take that credit. All good things flow from God and He is worthy of all Praise!

    Also, I hope that your fitness program meets with success. I have been doing the same thing. I have not been feeling very healthy over this past winter. I really need that push in the morning to get on the stair climber at 6AM. No Fun.

    Reply
    • meghays

      Thanks, Jason!!! We all run that “me” race all too often!!! I hope you are able to get up and jump on that stair climber! I know it’s hard to get your butt out of bed, but man, do I feel better when I do!!!! Happy summer!!!

      Reply

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