Ready to Throw In the Towel?
I recently read a study concerning 31.5 million people worldwide and their new year’s resolutions. Sadly, it revealed that January 1oth, not even 2 weeks into the new year, is the fateful day when 80% of individuals will surrender their annual commitments to wellness. What’s more discouraging is that the second Friday of January has been recognized as “Quitter’s Day,” the date to “celebrate” ditching aspirations for healthier ways!
While I do not condone setting aside a day to “give up,” it does support last week’s blog on the feeble power of resolutions. Without a doubt, resolutions tend to drive excuses rather than results. In fact, all of us have dumped a resolution or two only to have a big “but” attached to it…
“I tried to exercise in the morning, BUT I discovered that I’m just not an early bird.”
“I tried to drink more water, BUT it made me go to the bathroom all day.”
“I tried to reduce my sugar intake, BUT there were too many treats at work.”
“I tried to eat more fruits and vegetables, BUT they were too expensive.”
Obviously, there is no magic in the turn of the calendar OR in resolutions OR in goals. To be clear, I am NOT anti-goals. However, if our annual goal-setting workshops and 5 year plans could elicit sustainable growth and change, it would have happened by now. We would no longer be striving for the same outcomes every new year.
Something is missing…
Something is delaying our progress…
Something is hindering our journey toward HIGHER fitness and wellness…
But what?
The lie that makes us think wellness should be easy!
AND
The lack of faith in a God Who promised that life would be hard!
GOD IS MISSING FROM OUR WELLNESS!
Friends, it is NOT my desire to offend anyone with the this blog. I simply want to share an alternative way to analyze the current model of health and wellness. In 2020, the global health and fitness industry was worth $96.7 BILLION dollars, while the 2020 total health care spending in the United States alone was $4.1 TRILLION dollars. Something is very wrong with this scenario. We are spending a lot of money on gym memberships, fitness apps, Fitbits, Apple Watches, food programs, diets, supplements, trainers and home-gym equipment. Nonetheless, the statistics indicate that we are more unwell than ever before.
There is a void in the wellness equation, and I believe it is faith. For over 28 years, I have companioned with thousands of people of all ages with various health concerns and very diverse fitness abilities AND spiritual outlooks. While no two clients or students have ever been alike, the ones who make it in the long run - the ones who consistently exercise and eat well on days without my lead, without my arrival at their front doors, without my nagging - are those who make wellness their non-negotiable priority WITH faith as the foundation.
They do not seek perfection, but they also do not trash their time, finances and self-esteems on “quick fixes.” They do not operate by faith just on Sundays and then put God back in a box. Rather, they fully integrate Him into EVERY detail of their lives. They acknowledge that while God will not do their squats or their 3 mile walks or their cooking, He will accompany them every step of the way. He will sustain them as they do their part, and they trust Him to do His part, leaving the results in His capable hands.
Suddenly, that “missing something” is at work changing everything. Exercise becomes a blessed “GET TO,” not a dreaded “HAVE TO.” Sitting less, moving more and planning healthy meals become privileges, not obligations. Joy, gratitude and strength exist where they never did before. We see ourselves stepping into the hard things. We realize that we were made for hard things, and we welcome it instead of cursing it.
This is fulfillment at its best. This is how fruitful habits are formed once and for all. This is how profound and permanent change is attained. This is how we quit quitting on ourselves and stop throwing in the same used towel year after year. This is what faithful action WILL do…
Friends, my faith has afforded me a power that surpasses understanding. Do I still mess up? ALL THE TIME! The difference now is that I respond to my messes and stresses with gentle understanding, profound humility, firm hope and unwavering trust in God. I companion with Him constantly. And unlike the most broken seasons of my life, when I was far too proud to utter the words, “God, help me,” I no longer soothe inevitable moments of anxiety, depression and uncertainty with my former versions of solace…
HAVE ANOTHER DRINK!
STAY IN BED AND CANCEL THE DAY!
EXERCISE HARDER TO BURN OFF THOSE EXTRA CALORIES!
STARVE YOURSELF TODAY TO COMPENSATE FOR YOUR GLUTTONY YESTERDAY!
MAX OUT ANOTHER CREDIT CARD WITH MORE THINGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER!
While these choices gave me temporary relief from feeling empty and inadequate, they distanced me from my healing for a very long time…
I refused to reveal what needed to be healed.
I declined the BIG step into the HARD stuff that so desperately required my attention.
I complicated my life by believing the lie that life should be easy.
I chose my way and withdrew from God’s way.
As I look at my life now, I am in absolute awe… not for what I have done, but for what He has done through me. God has taken my gifts and multiplied them beyond what I could ever imagine. In fact, I sometimes say, “This is not me at all.” That’s when I hear God lovingly reply, “You are right. THIS IS US!”
My friends, if you are tired of staring at that worn, dirty towel, I get it. But please do something crazy right now. Throw it in ONE LAST TIME and get your catching hand ready. Now LISTEN for the VOICE OF TRUTH calling you by name…
Insert Your Name Here ___________________,
“YOU THREW IN THE TOWEL, BUT I AM THROWING IT BACK BECAUSE I LOVE YOU.
WIPE YOUR FACE AND TRY AGAIN… BUT THIS TIME WITH ME.”
❤️ GOD ❤️