Stressed-Less Living - Melanie's Blog - Focusing on God not Circumstances (Melanie S)

This blog was originally written to address those working to become 'healthy' in body, mind,and spirit;  by giving up bad habits and creating good habits.  The God Habit, The Healthy Habit, and the list goes on.

However, As I read Melanie's blog today, I couldn't help but think about how this relates to our Proverbs 31 study, Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles. Sounds like Melanie is feeling just like me, stress affects every area of our lives, including the making and breaking of habits.  Tracie talks in Chapter 5 about how it affects our health and wellness.  We are learning so much about stress and how to handle it.  Once again Melanie's post resonates the fact that we are so prone to react to life's circumstances - we take our focus off of our Heavenly Father and put it on our circumstances "stressors", which causes a domino affect. The results - we begin to self sabotage ourselves - pick up bad habits - focus on life's happenings instead of our Heavenly Father.  How do your prayers look over areas you are struggling with?   Are you asking God to change your circumstances? or are you praying He will change your heart so you will reach out and find peace in Him?  Are you focused on Him or every issue in your life preventing no room for Him?  Are your life circumstances driving you - or is God's Word?

Read Melanie's awesome blog below.  Pay special attention to the end when she talks about Peter being able to walk on water, UNTIL he took his focus off Jesus ~ WOW. 

Melanie's Blog:

Oh my, every topic I have written on is an area I struggle with – an area that I need help in.   God is good and He wants the best for you and me!  How exciting!!

OK, so we know that a habit is developed by repetition.  A bad habit is broken when we stop doing something over a period of time.  In this chapter, Joyce Meyer tells us to focus our attention on one habit at a time.   We cannot try to develop multiple habits and make drastic changes all at one time – it just won’t work.   Joyce gave us some examples in this chapter.   One thing that has helped me drink my water is carrying a gallon jug of water to work with me and filling my water bottle from it.  By seeing exactly how much water I drink helps me make sure I get in the recommended amount of water daily.  Another thing that helps me is when I buy snacks in bulk, I have to go ahead and break them down into single serving baggies.  Otherwise I am too tempted to have more than a serving.  If I want more, I have to make the decision to go get another baggie.  It makes me stop & think or I could say that it makes me “re-focus”.

She also suggests putting reminders around the house.  These need to be positive reminders.   Oh how many times, when starting a new diet or exercise plan, have I sabotaged myself by negatively focusing on the things I can’t eat or can’t do.  Focus on the positive…the healthy choices you are making, the way you feel after completing your exercise plan, the positive changes happening in your body, the new dress you have chosen for your reward, etc.

You might decide to create a “vision board” for your new habit to help serve as a reminder of your goal.   Check out http://www.proverbs31.org/everyday-life/how-create-spiritual-vision-board-2012-10/ for more information.

Jesus calls us to fix (focus) our eyes upon Him.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2

Keeping our focus on Jesus will give us strength to persevere.  As our key verse, Philippians 4:13 reminds us – We can do ALL things in Christ who strengthens us.

In Matthew 14:28-36, Peter walked on water by faith until he took his eyes off Jesus.   He allowed doubt to take his focus away.   Where is your focus today?  Are you focused on Jesus or focused on the difficulties of life?    Keep your eyes on Jesus and let Him guide you to victory!!

Father God, thank you for each lady working on tackling her temple – mind, body & spirit.   Help us to let go of all the things that hinders us and the sin that entangles us so that we can run with perseverance the race You have marked out for us.   Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, to follow your example so that we can become the women You desire us to be.  As new habits are developed and bad habits broken, let us rejoice and thank you for the blessings You provide as we know none of it is possible without You.   Thank you for loving us so.  In Jesus name, Amen

What have you found helps you stay focused on the new habit you are developing?   Share with us below.

May God bless you abundantly!

Love & big hugs until next time,

Melanie