The treadmill is coming home! Back a few years ago mom wanted a recumbent bike like the one they had at Rehab. I took my (beloved) treadmill to my brother‘s house and I bought mom a recumbent bike that was also a combination elliptical. She never liked the bike because it wasn’t similar enough to the one at the gym. And I really don’t like the motion of the elliptical. It has sat there for a few years with neither of us using it. I miss walking because I do not have a safe place here to walk and would have to walk on the road to get to the track. So, I am looking forward to having the treadmill back to have a nicely lighted, safe place to walk.
Actually, I enjoy walking on the treadmill. I seem to get a better, more consistent workout. With the craziness of my vision (and the ultra-craziness of local drivers,) walking on the road is not an option. Walking at the park on the paths is not always smooth, and there are elevation inclines and dips in the paths that could cause me to stumble. So really, for me, an indoor track or the treadmill are my best options.
The treadmill coming home is a good thing, because the past couple of years, although I took excellent care of my momma, I just did not take very good care of myself. So right now I am trying to dig up out of the pothole I have myself wedged into and get back to a healthier lifestyle. I have a somewhat negative self image right now, where I have not taken care of myself, my skin, my hair, my weight. I just let it all go and figured I would worry about it later.
Guess what? It is now ‘later!’ I am trying to get back to healthier eating, taking care of my skin and hair and <UGH> weight, just my health in general. I am trying to look back toward the positive side of the fence. I want to have good, positive thoughts when I think of my body image and my health. I want to concentrate my heart on good thoughts, uplifting thoughts and positive actions. Did you know that God even gives us instructions that fit right into my situation?
In the first seven verses of Philippians 4, Paul urged the believers in Philippi to love, encourage, get along, and to rejoice, be patient, prayerful, dedicated and thankful all together.
Then, in Philippians 4:8-9, Paul continued appealing to the Philippian believers. He wanted them to live their lives in a positive light. He told them to keep their minds on things that were true and honest, just and pure, lovely and of good report. He encouraged them to focus on virtue and praise and to think on all of these things.
Paul reminded them of all that he had taught them and done for them, and all they had seen through his actions. He desired that they would do the same as he had done in working for Christ. He encouraged them, that if they would do those things, the God of peace would be with them.
In our day and time, the challenge we could take away from these verses might be to stay focused on positive things, as this can be a struggle. Then, as we walk for Christ it can be a challenge to keep ourselves out of the muck and mire of trials and tribulations and focus on the positive things we can do for Christ.
How can we apply these verses to our lives? (My opinion, but…) two of the biggest sources for anxiety and stress are television and social media. I don’t watch much news, but if you do, maybe watch less. You can get the headlines and keep up with what is going on in the world without knowing every gory detail. We could make an effort not to look at the dazzling lives of others and put out ourselves down and feel bad about ourselves. We could fill our minds with positive images and thoughts so we can pass them along to others. We could concentrate on keeping ourselves where we need to be.
How do these verses affect my faith? Even when I am in a valley (or pothole) my faith is strengthened by the promise that God’s presence is always with me. I am encouraged by the community of believers that surround me in a positive and uplifting environment and who seem to sense when I need them.
I praise You for Your character Lord, and for the patience You show—You show me so much patience. Thank You for Your mercy and Grace. Help me, as part of the Body of Christ, to deliberately treat others with respect and kindness, despite our differences. Help me treat myself with respect and kindness (and patience.) Cleanse my heart continually, strengthen my resolve to live out each day as You would have me for Your glory. Help me to always seek to live in the Light, think good, positive thoughts and make every effort to do good, positive things.
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“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
In addition, here is an excellent page that can give you additional information on peace with God: PeaceWithGod.net.
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Blog Image by Shannon Lawford from Pixabay
Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 