These past few weeks have been a struggle. Something in the air, the phase of the moon, the alignment of the planets…something was just off. I didn’t want to go to the gym. I didn’t want to eat healthy foods. I didn’t want to do anything. I wanted to live like a slug. I was cozy in my sloth-like state of mind. And then, I read a quote from Alan Maiccon, “Be stronger than your strongest excuse.”
Be stronger! Did I feel good not putting forth any effort to be a better person? No, I felt worse! My body was swollen and sore. My mindset was negative and self-sabotaging. All the hard work I had been doing for the past months was slowly washing down the drain.
It was easier to fall back into bad habits than to be strong and keep going. Why do we give up on ourselves? Fear of who I can become has held me back for so many years. I have lived in a mindset of anxiety and fear, with a lifestyle of not taking care of my physical body, for so long that it is scary to think of what my life could look like. For a long time I have been desperately clinging to my old self, clawing for dear life to who I once was, afraid of who I can become.
The Bible gives us numerous examples of people who have excuses to not do what they know to be right because of fear. In Matthew 19:16-22, a rich young ruler comes to Jesus and asks what he needs to do in order to achieve eternal life. Jesus tells him he must keep all the commandments. The young ruler replies that he has kept all the commandments, but what does he still lack? Jesus knows that this young man loves his earthly possessions, and he is clinging to that type of lifestyle. Jesus tells him if he wants to achieve eternal life, he must sell his possessions and give to the poor. He would have his treasure in heaven. Verse 23 says that “When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” He was using the excuse of wealth to not fully follow Jesus. He couldn’t become stronger than his strongest excuse.
You are so much more than what defines you on this earth. You are more than any earthly possessions, you are more than a number on the scale, you are more than the old life you are holding on to. When we take on Christ as our Savior, we take on an entirely new life. We are called to live a life with no more fear. As 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound-mind.” God has given us power and love and a sound mind! We have all the tools in our hands to achieve the version of our best self.
This week’s recipe is a yummy, healthy side dish. It is the perfect addition to any meal and sure to please everyone. As always, feel free to change the ingredients to make it perfect for your family. I hope you love it as much as my family does.
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
December 20, 2024
