Today I was reading about some changes to our diet that can benefit our overall health. The information was comprehensive and convincing and sounded like a great idea. However after completing my reading I felt to be honest overwhelmed at the enormity of making so many changes to what our large family eats. Then I realised I don’t need to make a whole lot of changes all at once. I can instead choose one area and begin to change that until it becomes the norm and our families habit. Much like when we removed sugar predominantly from our household meals and baking and replaced it with a healthier alternative. Our children now reach for the sugar free recipe books and know how to substitute sugar in their cooking. The key for us was to gradually make small changes rather than banning sugar all together.
We usually know what we need to do, and if we don’t God says we are to seek Him and His wisdom to find out. Knowing what to do usually means making changes to some of our habits, mindsets and the way we approach things. Unfortunately change is something most of us don’t like, primarily because it’s easier to talk about doing what we know to do, rather than actually doing it.
Yet God’s word encourages us that “ if any on you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
The key perhaps is to not make sweeping changes all at once to our lives but instead, with God’s help to implement small changes progressively over time.
To do that it helps to:
Be self-aware – To observe ones-self and to make a note of what we think about, do and say in our day-to-day life. This helps us to note our behaviours and thought patterns so that we can be better prepared to initiate change where relevant and necessary.
Replace a negative with a positive – Change is easier if we replace a habit or lifestyle choice by rewarding ourselves with something positive, rather than just trying to focus on not doing something.
Realise you have help – God says, “nothing is impossible for those who believe, and that we can do all things because He gives us strength. He promises He will lead and guide us and He also has people at the ready who will encourage and support us if we need them. (Philippians 4:13; Luke 1;37; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Today I encourage you to observe yourself for a few days. Examine and even write down what you are thinking, saying and doing and line these observations up against whether they are things or attitudes where, “you know what to do” and just aren’t’ doing or being them, or where you need to seek some Godly wisdom so as to make some positive changes for the better. Then choose wisely and make small changes to start moving in the direction you want to be heading. Try to do something new every week and remember to surround yourself with those who will encourage you.
As a famous saying says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Choose this week to begin to take those steps to the life that God has planned for you. For, as Catherine of Sienna once said, when “we be who God meant us to be, we will set the world on fire and live our lives being the person who influences all those around us for good.
Prayer: Lord thankyou that you give me strength and ability to begin and to keep walking. Help me today to start to make small changes so that I can continue to grow and develop my potential, to know you more, and to live the life you always had planned for me. In Jesus name Amen.
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