When I originally signed up to be apart of the 40 day challenge I didn’t write a lot. I honestly thought I would never get in and be selected. I wrote the bare minimum as I was also afraid to really live out loud and let others know what was really going on. How do you admit you’re not healthy and that the lifestyle you are living isn’t the best? During that time I had been praying to God to help me with the family weight and health issues. 4 out of 6 of us in our house are overweight and not active. I knew it wasn’t something I could change on my own so I kept praying. Right about that time I had also been telling my husband I really needed new tennis shoes. Then the phone call came, I was one of the 8 qualifiers for the 40 day. It started becoming real but so did all the lies, “why would you be picked, you aren’t anyone they would be interested in, you can’t do this, others deserve this more then you, you really don’t want everyone to know how overweight you are, you are going to make yourself an outcast.” But I pushed through it with strength from God. I pushed and I put myself out there, I asked friends and family for support and votes. They answered and so did the listeners and others following along. I was chosen to be one of the final 4.
The journey began- God answered those prayers and cries for help. I got my new shoes. My 2 older daughters are very interested in the bootcamp and what I am doing and want to do it with me. My husband has been very supportive. The challenges and tests came along with this process. Sickness, kids, life, it was all very real. About 4 weeks in I did want to quit. Just like I normally would with anything. It starts to feel as no one is really watching or cares and it would be so easy just to stop and not do this anymore. I’m still here still leaning on Our Father and seeking his strength.
What I realized during this 40 day challenge is it’s not about the workout, shoes, spa the radio station, listeners, it’s all about God. From a Beth Moore study the 5 Faith Statements:
1.God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God's Word is alive and active in me.
It is all so very true, as long as I keep my focus on God and not the failures my weight, inches, struggles it becomes easier. It’s not without pain but the freedom is amazing.
I want to win this challenge and be the grand prize winner because I want to use this to Glorify God and further his Kingdom here on Earth. I want to be his light and help others succeed.
So Many people are alone out there in the darkness like I was seeking and grasping for anything- I want to be the hand that reaches out and offers them something that they need…Love, Support, Life!
There is a song currently playing on Spirit that truly has been my anthem song during this challenge:
Before the Morning- Josh Wilson
Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you I
f there’s a God who loves you where is He now
Maybe there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending S
omeday somehow you’ll see you’ll see
Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
My friend you know how this all ends
You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer
And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory It’s just the hurt before the healing
Oh the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
I love the part-it can’t compare to the Joy that’s coming. So much truth in that line. This challenge hasn’t been about just losing a few lbs or inches it’s been about battling my way out of the darkness to walk and live out loud in the light. I want to continue that. I don’t want it to end here. I am coming out of the valley through the desert. In the end it’s not about my looks, my hair, my clothing it’s about how I lived my life and did I live it from my heart and allow the spirit to work within me to Glorify God.
I turn 40 in a few weeks the past 40 years have been amazing. I pray my 4 kids (15, 13, 5, and 1) don’t have the challenges and struggles I did growing up. I pray that this challenge was a spring board for our lives to change so we can continue to live healthy lifestyles and be more active. We have been watching the Olympics and one thing I have been learning during that is sometimes it’s not the most popular, or the favorite sometimes it’s the under dog, the quietest one that has the most amazing story and gift to offer.
Praising God for everything he has given me!!! To him all the Glory
Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters during this- truly amazing challenge and I so much appreciate the time, effort, money and prizes we have been given during this challenge.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
AMEN!!!
ReplyDelete