Have you ever felt the battle between your flesh and spirit when it comes to healthy choices and taking care of your body? Does it feel like you are in a struggle to eat healthy, exercise, end your addiction to sugar?

Are you stuck in the “whenever” or “tomorrow” trap? Whenever I have more time, whenever I have more money, whenever I feel better. Tomorrow I will eat healthier. Tomorrow I will go for a walk. Tomorrow I will stop drinking soda.

Our flesh tends to choose instant pleasure over delayed gratification. We truly want to eat healthy but can’t seem to resist the pleasure of eating a sweet treat. Our tempter, that old devil, encourages us whispering in our ear, “It’s okay, go ahead take a bite, you can start eating healthier tomorrow.”

Then, after we’ve eaten that sweet treat and put off our health until tomorrow that old devil switches gears and becomes our accuser showering us with judgement and guilt. Causing us to compare ourselves to others, pick ourselves to pieces, feel like we’re weak and not enough. He’s got us right where he wants us, in a tug-of-war with ourselves. Thinking we always have tomorrow. Putting our flesh first.

Mark 3:25 tells us when we are internally divided against ourselves we fail and the enemy wins. How do we break out of this trap of self-criticism and self-sabotage? How do we find the strength to resist temptation, overcome excuses, move ourselves toward a healthier body?

By actively putting God first in our life and including Him in our health and fitness plan. Matthew 6:33 promises God will take care of us when we put Him first. Galatians 5:16 tells us if we walk in the spirit we can overcome the flesh.

How do we put God first? Prayer, scripture, worship, meditation, there are numerous ways. It is a personal decision. Figure out what it means to you, and do it. Just remember it’s not a one-and-done thing. It’s an ongoing interaction. A personal relationship with God.

John 16:33 gives us the reminder that yes, we will face difficult times but we belong to the one who has overcome the world and Isaiah 41:10 reminds us God will strengthen and help us. If we let Him.

So….let Him.

E.A. Fussell
11.09.23

Lord thank You for loving us like You do. Thank You for the help and guidance that are always available to us through the Spirit. We ask for that help and guidance now. Thank You that You never stop listening to us even when we have stopped listening to You. Bless the person reading this, open their heart to receive You. Provide for them what they need most today. Comfort, strength, healing, finances. Pour out blessings upon them as only You can in accordance with Your Divine will, under grace, and in a perfect manner. Thank You Father that you have heard me. Amen