Happy 1st Monday in 2019!
Here we are, off to a running start in a brand new year. It seems like we just started last year!
This year, as in every year, is bound to bring some joys, some adventures and some challenges. The joys and adventures are easy. What about those challenges though? They may involve you or they may involve someone you care about and one is as bad as the other.
The older we get, the bigger the health challenges seem to get. It may be multiple small things or it might be something big and dreaded. I remember a day when I didn’t know anyone who had cancer. Now, it seems as if I’m surrounded by it. Alzheimer’s Disease risk seems to increase daily and I have a few friends who have had heart disease issues. So where does that leave us?
There are things that can decrease or increase our risks. What we put into our bodies, what we put into our minds, and what we allow into our hearts will all have an effect on our health.
What we put into our bodies: Food/Alcohol/Drugs – Food is pretty important. You can’t live without it, but if you don’t do it well, you may not be able to live with it either! We can focus on the best quality that we can and make it real, whole food as opposed to chemical and artificial ingredient laden pretend food. If it grows on a plant, eat it. If it’s made in a plant, leave it behind. The less processed our food is, the better!
Alcohol: If you are attempting to drown your sorrows or drink your nutrients, it won’t work. If you do choose to drink, do it in strict moderation, remember it is empty calories and NEVER drink and drive. Drugs: Unfortunately, some prescription drugs are sometimes necessary. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor what they are for, what are the side effects and long-term effects, how long do you need it and is it really necessary. You may be surprised by some of the answers. There are no good reasons or good consequences for illegal drugs.
What we put into our minds – Think about what you watch on television, what you read and even some of the people we associate with. There is a saying: Garbage in – garbage out. What you allow into your mind is eventually going to come out, it may be in your actions, your words or most likely, both. Is that really who you want to be? We will serve one master. Will it be God or will it be Satan?
What we allow into our hearts: Do you know anyone who seems to be perpetually unhappy? We all have our days, but some have nothing but those days. I am NOT talking about mental illness, I am talking about bitterness and resentment. Something in their life didn’t go right and they refuse to let it go. Jealousy and envy, like bitterness and resentment can control our lives.
In the absence of the Ghost of Christmas Past, it will take a serious attitude adjustment to bring about change. The best place I know of to start is to review, once again, which master we serve. You can choose to live a bitter claim to existence or you can choose to make a change. If we surrender our life to God, our hearts will feel His love, not all the garbage we had there before.
It’s a brand new year. What are your goals for 2019? I choose joy and peace.
Pray Unceasingly!!
In His light,
Lois
New Year, New You
The Daniel Plan
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. —Isaiah 43:19 NIV
A new year is a time to start fresh. No matter what your history is with faith, food, fitness, focus, or friends, this is a great day to turn a new page.
God wants to make a path in the wilderness for you to journey on. If you’ve had areas of wasteland in your life, he wants to pour streams into that desert and make it bloom.
Nothing is impossible for him. God says, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 NIV). The answer is no.
With this new year, it’s a good idea to set some goals for yourself. Goals are the steps we take each day, week, and month to get from where we are today to the future we dream of having. A goal is a dream with a deadline.
If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you like to do with your life this year? What is one goal you’d like to start with, knowing that it’s up to God to make it possible? Food for Thought: God is doing a new thing in you. He’s making a way in the wilderness for you to walk toward the life he has in store for you.