Faith, Life

Owning Weakness, Finding Strength

One click.  It was gone.  Gone.  The Honors presentation I had spent long hours creating had vanished.  I had closed out without saving my powerpoint and what remained was a rough skeleton of a presentation. Stunned, I couldn’t believe it.  Didn’t want to believe it.  It was less than 24 hours before my Honors Panel Presentation during the Spring semester of my senior year at TCU.

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Faith, Life

Dear Stress, Let’s Break Up

It was December 3rd and I was checking my inbox, weeding out massive numbers of holiday sales flyers and advertisements when I came across one that read, “Last minute gift ideas…”.  Seriously?!  Last minute?  Since when did 22 days before Christmas become “last minute?”  I found panic rising and my mind swimming even as I rationally told myself I still had 3 weeks to complete my shopping.    

But doesn’t this happen all too often…?  We know what is true, but allow people, brands, and industries to create stress, panic, angst and worry in our lives.  It’s kind of like we just open the door to our home, our sacred space, and let “Whoever” walk right in and create alarm.  

 

Who gave that person permission to freak me out?  I did.  

 

Who gave that person the right to enter my personal mental space and stir up worry?  I did.  

 

Every time I meditate on worry I am refusing to meditate on truth.  Every time I meditate on truth, I simply can’t think to worry.  It is either light or dark, but they can’t inhabit the same space.

 

 

Now, 2 weeks later, my family has gone through several rounds of colds, stomach viruses and an ear infection and I don’t find myself much further along in my Christmas preparations.  I am tired.  I am worn out.  I am behind. There are only 2 wrapped Christmas gifts under our tree and many that have not been checked off my list.  Let’s not even talk about Christmas cards. 

 

While there is a part of me that wants to cry, blame someone or something, and throw up my hands exasperated, I should be grateful that I can actually sit on my couch and type.  Only yesterday, I laid huddled in the fetal position all day, with a fever, chills and my stomach in agony… with a 1 year old pulling at me, wanting to play.  

 

To be honest, I don’t really know how I am going to get “it all done.” Maybe “it all” is not as important as I think?  Well, right now, I still think it is!

 

It is difficult to feel merry when I feel so behind.  But, once again, 14 days later, I have an opportunity… an opportunity to choose panic or peace.  

 

Sometimes, when life feels overwhelming, it is difficult to figure out even where to start.  What is most important?  Where should I invest my time? What deserves my mental energy FIRST?

 

 

There is a song that has encouraged me so many times in the last few months.  It doesn’t give me any new revelations or brilliant ideas how to channel the powers of my inner superwoman, but it reminds me to do one thing, one thing that is so innate that we don’t even give it a second thought.

 

Breathe, just breathe.

 

Johnny Diaz sings it beautifully.  The only place to find peace, clarity, and fresh perspective for our day, is at the feet of Jesus.  

 

You don’t have to go another moment feeling inadequate, overwhelmed and stressed.  

 

BREATHE.

  

TRUTH: Come to Me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 (NLT)


To hear the full song, click here.   

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Faith

Courage to Celebrate

 

Independence Day was and is an extravagant celebration and monumental declaration of freedom.  The Continental Congress engaged in heated debates, petitioned the English Crown and eventually rallied together in a unanimous vote to declare independence.  The yearning desire for “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” was overwhelming and motivated action, actions that changed the destiny of the nation and the world.

 

But, the fight wasn’t over yet.  In fact, the war was only brewing and no one truly knew the sacrifices, battles and resistance to come as the Revolutionary War grew to a climax.

 

What I find so fascinating is that independence was declared before it was fully embraced. Founding Fathers projected freedom before it was had- before it was reality.  

 

As I have worked with hundreds of individuals in nutrition practice, I have found that many feel trapped, captive and dependent, unable to break free from chains and additive patterns that immobilize and terrorize.  The deception is that freedom will never truly come, that all the fighting will be in vain.  Discouraged and exhausted from past battles, it is difficult to keep hope alive.  These emotions torment our mind catapulting our thoughts back into negative cycles that only strengthen the bonds further.    

 

But our Forefathers drew upon supernatural courage. Courage that walked away from all that they had ever known and sought to redefine the life they wanted to live and the life they dreamed to give to their children, grandchildren and descendants.  The gift they share far exceeds liberty- they demonstrated how to stand up and claim victory, even when it was not yet seen.   

 

Maybe you feel chained to unhealthy food patterns and you don’t know how to break away. Maybe you feel imprisoned by untrue words that have been spoken over you.  Maybe you feel paralyzed with fear and anxiety and unable to break loose.  Whatever holds you back from a vibrant and fulfilled life of happiness and joy only has as much power as you give it.

 

How can you reclaim your freedom?  It begins and ends with your response.  Our Founding Fathers laid a foundation…

 

1. Identify What is Holding You Captive- The Declaration of Independence lists at least 30 facts about England’s violation of the colonists’ rights and unfair treatment.  They clearly named the injustices, identifying reasons for independence from the English Crown.  Similarly, we need to identify the cause of captivity and identify our God given rights in order to then determine a plan to break free.  So often, we identify the symptoms without root cause. Symptoms can be similar among people but roots are personal.  For example, overeating is a widespread issue but root causes are different and individual to each person.    

 

2. Declare the Truth- The colonists exposed the truth, and made it plain for all to see.  “The truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)  The darkness of tyranny could not hide in the light of the truth.  The same is true today, but, only once we know and meditate on truth can it begin to invade our hearts and minds. According to Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) You are empowered with the ability to speak life, but with this same tool, can actually produce death!!  Maybe you have brought death to a dream by speaking discouragement, hopelessness and failure.  Begin listening to the words of your mouth for “what is in the heart, the mouth will speak.” (Luke 6:45)  Speak life.

 

3. Celebrate Your Victory- July 4th was hailed a day of “pomp and parade” directly after writing the Declaration, NOT after the Revolutionary war was won. Triumph was not in the final battle but in the decision to wholeheartedly embrace freedom.  Often, it is easy to feel discouraged along the journey, when we are still facing battles, but if you have set your mind on freedom, YOU will prevail.  You can’t not prevail.  Victory is not IF.  It is not IF I can get my blood glucose controlled.  Victory is not IF I can improve my energy.  Victory is not IF I can resist the ice cream.  Celebrate that you can and will.

 

So, what does abundant life look like?  How do you know if you are living a life in pursuit of true happiness?  Where does liberty equal freedom from captivity?

 

Only you can truly answer these questions, but armed with TRUTH, you will always prevail. Join me in celebrating victory today.

 

Thank you to all our our service men and women, past and present, who honor God and country by demonstrating courage and sacrifice.  We celebrate you today.

 

TRUTH: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

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