It seems like whenever I lighten my schedule, think I am going to have a free day, or try to start a healthy routine something deters my good intentions. It’s to the point that I almost hesitate to schedule any free time because “something” always happens. Granted, when this happens I am very grateful that I had the flexibility in my schedule so I can take care of what needs my attention, but it can be discouraging to perpetually be ambushed.
I know I am not alone in this challenge as it seems that most of us are on the perpetual hamster wheel being in constant motion. How many of you prolong dieting, exercising, or just doing something for yourself until you have the time? Guilty as charged. I do this all the time. I hold off on things that I really want to do because there’s just too much on the schedule. I could tell myself that I just need to go with the flow because God is probably putting the brakes on for a reason much like when you get stuck behind someone driving really slow when you are in a really big hurry. Yet, how do we know if God is putting the brakes on or if it’s the enemy trying to divert us?
The devil is very prevalent in every aspect of our life. He wants us to be scared, overwhelmed, angry at each other, and feel hopeless. When we are in these states, we are vulnerable. That is why the Bible tells us to turn to God in all situations. Job 5:8-9 As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.
Even though the devil is constantly lurking around us, God, no matter how hard the devil works, is also always INSIDE of us. He’s not prowling about. He is living INSIDE of us. Acts 17:27 says “That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.” The absolute greatest part of God, our Heavenly Father so perfect in every way is found in Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
So, when I am feeling so incredibly ambushed by life, I do not have to go far for help. God is always with me, there for me, wanting to help me. I simply need to call upon him and I can find peace in these situations. He can also give me the strength to keep the path that he was originally leading me on before the enemy threw in a curve ball. If you once felt an overwhelming drive to do something good for yourself or that little voice in the back of your mind said, it is time to start exercising, LISTEN TO IT AND DO NOT GET DETERED! Ask God to find a way out for you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
How can this help you in your healing process? Fear is a deterrent of the devils. The devil does not want good for you. He will throw every curveball he can into your healing making you feel hopeless, but with God, there is always hope. Sometimes healing can evoke more physical or emotional pain. No one gets off the surgery table jumping for joy and returning to their normal life immediately.
I have seen clients whose bodies and hearts are so responsive to intervention that they feel worse the next day rather than better. Unfortunately, any touch can bring about discomfort for them. How do you proceed when this happens? Do you push through the pain or never go back? Of course, there are different kinds of pain some that are therapeutic, and other pain that is saying this isn’t the correct treatment for right now. Ultimately, if you stop, healing can’t occur. When you see a healthcare practitioner for the first time, remember you are on a first date. You are learning about them and they are learning about you. Just like with medication you may take, the doctor is hoping that the medication will help, but they don’t know for certain if you will react positively or negatively. You try it, give it some time, and proceed forward. A close family member of mine is having difficulty swallowing. She has gone to several GI doctors and had a procedure to inject Botox into her esophagus to help. It didn’t. It made it worse. The doctor gave her a medication to help. It too, didn’t work. She could have stopped there feeling very discouraged, but instead, though exhausting, she kept pursuing options and had yet another procedure to stretch her esophagus done. The doctor wasn’t very hopeful that the procedure would work because she didn’t have the normal response to the balloon. Fortunately, it does seem to have helped. God always provides another way. DO NOT BE DETERRED! Turn to God for the strength to carry on and live in his eternal hope. If God told you to make something a priority, do it.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Voyage to HEAL Weekly Task
Stretch: I discovered a gentle dynamic flowing stretch using a chair that felt wonderful to open several areas of my back, neck, and legs. Place your hands on a chair for this and complete the steps below:
- Go into a position of downward dog lifting your bottom up and dropping your head
- Gently bend your knees and rest your stomach on your knees as if in child’s pose slightly leaning back
- Flow into a plank position
- Swoop your back up and look toward the ceiling as if in upward dog or cobra
- Repeat holding the positions as long as you would like
*I’m hoping to make a video of this soon and I will share it with you
Exercise: This week’s stretch is also an exercise so please remember to engage your core muscles as you complete the process above
Habitual Change: I have been overly aware of how much I tend to stand on my right leg. Do you do the same? Try to even things out.
Perspective enlightenment: Lord, you give me hope and always provide a way out. I put my trust in you.
Journaling option: What have I known I need to do, but avoided it? What has gotten in your way? Ask the Lord for guidance on what should be your priority.
This week’s blog post coincides with the Voyage to HEAL. You can purchase the Voyage to HEAL in the store on the webpage. Click here to visit the online store to find all of these items. Most importantly, start being kind to yourself. As God gives you grace, so should you give it to yourself. Stop fighting yourself. Instead, love yourself.
Godspeed on your Voyage to HEAL
Love,
Jocelyn