The Most Unexpected Blog Page of 2018

My Spiritual Journey to Physical Health

It's New Year's Eve and I'm writing a blog post! :)  I will tell you that this is NOT the post I ever expected to share with you as 2018 rolled in!
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If you are on my email list, you remember a few weeks back when I shared my tentative 'plan' for 2018. I thought it was a great plan with deeper teaching and thought provoking questions for the week to accompany it. I already had the introduction post & notes for the next one under way. We were going to dive in head first in 2018!
Great plan, right????
​Good or Great, it was MY plan to do more of what I thought I was supposed to be doing.

Let me just quote the verse I say to myself almost daily...."His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are higher than mine. always" (Sheila Version paraphrase!)

You may be thinking this post is about New Year's resolutions since it is that time of year for all those goals, but this is not about what Sheila WANTS to do, but what I must do. I'll give you the high points:

For six months or more, I have been convicted of my eating habits. Mainly my sugar addiction. Did you see the word convicted? This is different than before. More than just wanting to do better because my pants are too tight or wanting to be a certain number on the scale.

This journey is about me, my conviction, and my responsibility to my physical health. I am not trying to impose my convictions on anyone else. I am only sharing with you what He is doing in me spiritually as He leads me to change something that most of us see as not a big deal. I have prayed, struggled and prayed some more about this. I must take time to rest and listen to the Spirit's leading on how to best take care of my body and my health.

I deal with chronic health issues that are not easy or fun. My rheumatologist has several medical names for it because he doesn't use the word 'Fibromyalgia', but it is just easier to call it that. I have dealt with this most of my adult life but diagnosed only 6 or 7 years ago. It STINKS! You never know what a day will hold. It can be a good, almost pain free day, or it could be debilitating pain you have to suck up as you deal with normal life. It can be a bad day or a bad week. Sometimes it turns into more. Pain & fatigue are my normal. I try not to complain or dwell on it, but some days are just so hard. The pain is high and energy is below zero. It can be discouraging when others can't see it or understand, thinking you are just a moody witch. I can't blame them for what they can't imagine, but it can feel like a kick when you are already down.

So, all of that to say that dealing with any chronic issue STINKS! I may not can heal all of my issues by eating right and self-care, but I WILL feel better if I do! I WILL be stronger in body, mind and spirit if I feel better physically. 

I made changes in my health four years ago by adjusting to a clean eating diet and taking time to care for my body. This was after a huge health scare that lasted 5 months or so. I know God healed me from what doctors couldn't identify. It was my responsibility to treat my body better. It was remarkable how much better I felt when I did! I remember saying " I don't think I can ever go back because I feel so much better now."  

So why did I fall back into my old ways? I could tell you time, stress, life happened, took on more responsibilities, but the bigger truth is I probably just got lazy. :( 
I HATE cooking and love eating. 

I have carried over several healthy habits from 4 years ago like giving up soda, eating whole wheat & nut bread (nuts & twigs as someone used to tell me), drinking water all day. I also found lots of foods I now like & eat like greek yogurt, quinoa, oil & vinegar dressings, spinach & kale salads. I just probably do not eat them as often as I should be these days.

It takes TIME to take care of our bodies and we are a world that wants to squeeze in all we can into ever single minute and our bodies pay the price. Convenience food is not generally healthy food unfortunately. 

This journey is mainly for me to document what I learn spiritually as I try to be obedient in getting my health under control. I have put it off for months between my herniated disc injury and the holidays, but it is time to get to it.

I would be lying if I said I am excited about disciplining myself, even when I know my physical health will benefit. I also know enough of the Lord to know that when I obey, in whatever He leads, I have NEVER been disappointed! Peace and blessings always come from obedience!

I hesitate to hit publish on this post because that means I must follow up. This could mean having to share my epic fails. Who likes that?! :( 

But this journey is mainly about how different this time is for me. To be CONVICTED about my health habits is way different than my wanting to do better! This time it is a spiritual thing that I have never known. 

I truthfully have no idea where this will lead, but I do know following Him is always best whether I understand it or not. :)

As I begin, I will update you on my progress...the good and the bad. I am not concerned with numbers as much as feeling well and healthy and being my strongest in Him..
​Please pray with me as I undertake this journey to become stronger and healthier physically and spiritually!
 
So here we go....