Some call it discipline, others control, but mastering techniques for healthier habits takes more than our own strength. Jesus’ act of redemption was a part of God’s plan to build a solid structure for our lives.
Last time we spoke we entertained the thought of how God used the fall of Adam and Eve to teach them (and us) to become more dependent on Him; to keep our eyes fixed on Him. When presented with temptation, Eve took her eyes off of God and with one bite, His plan unfolded. Here, God begins a plan to draw humanity back to Himself. Did you hear that? He had a plan, and so must we. But before we make plans for a journey, we need to know where we are.
Jesus prepared for his journey by connecting with his father first, alone, and in prayer. Jesus understood that his journey was a mission.
The definition of mission is a strong assignment; a strongly felt aim, ambition, or calling.
He also understood that he needed a team; a support system. So he stopped at the Sea of Galilee, where he gathered his team and told them to leave their nets behind. It’s scary to leave behind the things we’re used to. For the first apostles, it was their very livelihood. But they were leaving behind what looked good for the promise of something better. Jesus told them to fill their nets with the impossible and that is the same message he wants for you and for me.
So how do we prepare for our journey and who are we bringing with us? We, too, need to start with a plan. Where are we now? What don’t we have that we want to create? Is it weight loss, is it removing a food addiction, is it better blood work, or improving inflammation or disease? Understanding where we are and where we want to go will be the catalyst for the important choices we make along the way. It will always answer the question “Is ‘this choice’ bringing me closer to what I want out of life?”
Everything Jesus did was intentional, and he did nothing without bringing His Father with him. He knew the plans his Father had for him and he responded according to those plans. This is the stark contrast between Adam and Eve in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament. He answered the call for a new covenant by responding differently.
- Acknowledge where we are
- Invite God on the journey through prayer
- Seek others to support us in our journey
How do we allow the strength of God to help us respond differently and master the behaviors that create healthier habits in our lives? In Matthew Kelly’s book Perfectly Yourself, he describes how fasting during Lent denies us of our own pleasure in order to replace it with something better. This fasting often becomes a lifestyle change for many. The reason for this is that we increase our freedom to master the behaviors that prevent us from creating healthier habits for our mind and body.
“Remember, whether a bird is tied down by a thread or by a chain, it still cannot fly.
What is the master of your life?” ~ Matthew Kelly
Our brain is programmed to seek pleasure and avoid pain. It’s just the way it is. The messages and experiences we have received over a lifetime have created neuropathways that direct our responses. These responses are the habits that are set on autopilot. For example, we don’t need a reminder to brush our teeth daily, it’s a habit set on autopilot. That’s a good habit worth keeping, but for those habits that do not serve us – they can be changed!! So, reprogramming our brain and the way we think about food will create habits where we respond to old problems in new ways. We begin shifting from the comfort of food to the comfort of God.
If understanding where we are is the first step in our transformation, then here are some questions to contemplate for where we want to be.
- Who is this person that you want to become?
- How would you show up in a room?
- How would you inspire others?
- What would you be able to do?
- How would your life be different?
- Who would you influence?
God hears the desires of our heart, so if any of these questions resonate with you, use that as a starting point for your conversation with Him. Ask Him what’s missing between where you are and where you want to be. That answer is where the shift happens. That answer is where the work begins in asserting dominance over the body and mind.
THE MOMENT BETWEEN EVENT AND RESPONSE
So how do we shift from feeling that we NEED whatever it is before us to trust that God has the answer? We acknowledge it! “Yes, I know you want that cannoli, but today we’re going to have a cup of fruit instead and enjoy the sunshine outside.” Our bodies are our servant, not our master. This little step slows us down enough to then pause, take a few short breaths and become mindful of what is happening around us. Pausing for just a few, short minutes and discovering what we are really in need of and ask God to help us gain freedom from our negative thoughts.
- Is this “thing” bringing me one step closer to what I really want?
- Is this “thing” what I really need right now?
- Am I tired, bored, lonely, scared, angry……….?
We Live Out What We Take In
Earlier I said the brain seeks pleasure and avoids pain. If we are going to reprogram our negative habits, we need to replace them with healthier habits that feel like rewards. So think of some triggers that you may have and before they happen, have a plan in place for some fun and healthy replacements. We can also learn to love and nurture where our feelings come from because we know that God is with us in each and every one of them. Food cannot feed an emotion – God can. The most powerful thing we can do is to read Scripture and be nurtured by His truth. Write down the negative emotion and the lie (this cannoli will make me feel better), then find the truth in God’s promise that tells us that we are NOT that emotion and that this “food” won’t help us work the emotion out. Then ask yourself, how do I feel like when I make a good choice? Do you feel more in control, proud, happy, more aligned with your goals? That’s one small step towards freedom; one small step towards becoming who God intended you to be for the task only you were created to do.
This is probably the wrong time to broach the subject of weight. Advent and with Christmas time is not when we want to think about losing or maintaining our weight. In celebrating this time of year, food is often at the center of our parties and exchanges: potlucks at work, Christmas parties, New Year’s parties—food is all around us. All the eating often instigates regret; we overeat, over-imbibe, too much sugar, too many rich foods. We lament the weight gain that comes with this time of year. We do not turn down food offered to us, because we know, “Jenny’s famous apple pie is to die for.” Others prepare dishes as an expression of love for others in their lives, and to turn down such a gift would be offensive. I find myself in this position every holiday season, and this year I decided to head this off before I got in over my head.
Weight issues plague so many of us, hopefully my approach might help someone else who has these same struggles. Are there any strategies associated with your faith or prayer that have helped you become healthier and disciplined?
I know what sells magazines. Tell people how they can look and feel better than their neighbor as defined by our secular and materialistic media. And, if you do want to lose 20 lbs by Christmas, you can. There are about 2,000 different diet plans that will get you there. The keys to success are setting goals, having accountability, eating less, and moving more. It’s not rocket science. But, I did not really want to write a post on weight loss tips. What I wanted my title to read is, “How to get closer to God by Christmas.” How do we get closer to God? Closeness to God is difficult to quantify, but I think we can use the same approach to spiritual well-being as we do our physical well-being.
Well, that doesn’t apply to spiritual growth, directly. But, you can certainly sin less and do more works of mercy. How do you sin less? First, start with a clean slate. Make a thorough examination of your conscience. Then, go to confession, as James says, “Therefore, confess our sins to one another” We can always just bow our heads and pray. But since Christ instituted the sacrament of confession by saying, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained,” we know that to be the most pleasing way to confess our sins. Therefore we will be absolved of all our sins and receive sanctifying grace. At this time, we can pray that we avoid those same sins in the future. Set a confession goal, too. My family makes it a goal to go once per month. Frequent confession is the key to sinning less.