Stop Trying & Start Training

Hebrews 12:10-12 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

The beginning of Hebrews 12 is talking about discipline. How a father disciplines his children. How God, our ultimate Father, disciplines us, because we are His children. Verses 10-12 jumped out at me in both a spiritual and physical way. When we are disciplined in either of these ways, they don’t seem enjoyable at the time. Kind of like training for a sport or event. Or training for a debate or role in a play – they all are not enjoyable at first. Yet, when the training is done, and we are in the “practice mode”, then it can be enjoyable.

This made me think of my weight loss journey. How “they” the surgeon and doctor and nutritionist all have a “plan” for us to follow which is what they think is “best” for us. Sure, it is VERY difficult to follow! The pre-op and then the post-op plans seem next to impossible, painful even. The realization and the full impact of the ‘tool’ the doctor gives us with surgery, is just a tool like in any other training. In order for it to “work” and or “do its job” we MUST follow the regimen that is given to us. In order to have long term success, we have to stop “trying” and start “training” for our future healthy selves. Like any person that trains for something, eventually they become a master at the craft. Well, our “craft” is to take care of God’s temple. His dwelling place. The place He lives in with us. Yup, you guessed it: our bodies! Our outer physical and internal (emotional and mental) parts – ALL of them – we must train ourselves and break free from our past failures and habits.

“But Lisa Marie, you don’t understand what I have to go through. You don’t know what I have to live with…” True. I am not in your shoes. However, my shoes have walked through many rough terrain, over extremely large hills, and into deep valleys. Through cold darkness and blazing hot sun. I have experienced a lot in my 55 years here on this planet. I’ve been off course many times! One thing that I have learned is that when I actually do what I am instructed to do, the results do eventually come, and I do see and experience success in what I am being trained for. I believe losing weight, any amount of weight, all starts in the training of our mind. It doesn’t matter if it is 5 pounds or 500 pounds, we MUST get to the root of our eating problem. That root, almost always, starts in the mind.

What’s next? How do we start? By watching, reading, listening to, and following those who ARE successful in what you are training for! God has gifted SO many people to teach and train others! You can always find them, when you look for them. His word, the bible, has SO much to help us in our times of need. Funny thing is, even though it is words that fill our minds, they seem to penetrate deep into our very soul, which then leads to our outer body following what we have decided to do. Pretty neat! Stop talking negative to yourself! Replace those negative things with positive ones. “I am choosing healthy choices because I want to live.” “I am going for this walk, because it helps my mind and body.” “I can and will succeed in this journey.” “I am not going to let my ‘desires or cravings’ rule me. I will now take charge, take control over what I do next.” “I am on the right path for good health and longevity.” “I can make it through this meal.” “I am worth all of this work.” “I am a chosen and loved child of God, He wants me to succeed.”  There are tons of positive things we can and need to tell ourselves in our journey called “life”.

Now, we need to stop using the words “I’m trying to lose weight” or “I’m going to try and train for a 5K” or “I’m trying to learn how to cook.” No matter what it is that God has put on your heart to do, you need to start changing your “trying” into “training”. Believe me, when you start using this phrasing, it will make a BIG difference!! “I am training my body to enjoy vegetables.” “I am training myself to eat every few hours.” “I am training myself to get enough sleep.” (you get it, right?)

Today, train your mind by praying to God and asking Him to flex your brain muscles with His truths. Then, train your thoughts to focus on positive, healthy, truthful thoughts as well as conversations to yourself. Now, start training yourself to do what it is that you need to do in order to be successful in what you are wanting to achieve. Maybe it is planning your food and meals for the day. Perhaps you need to go back to basics and start at the beginning again. No one starts training for a big event by jumping right in the middle of the hard work! WE ALL must start at the starting point, the beginning, the basics. Yes, even if you have done so many times. Your body does have something called ‘muscle memory’ and it will remember what it is supposed to do, and it will be able to ‘fall in line’ a bit quicker when you start again. That is a bonus in my book! If you have gotten off track, and have fallen off the wagon so to speak – what is the “next right thing” that you need to do? Start learning the skills you need to succeed. You KNOW what it is, for you, so do it!

God wants you to be successful in what you desire to accomplish. He is your biggest advocate. He is also the best ‘trainer’ you will ever have. I pray that today, you will stop using the words and actions of “trying” and fill your physical and mental ‘space’ with “training” for your future success that will bring God glory. Have a GREAT day! Be well, be safe, and be blessed!