Test Your Ideas for a Healthy Lifestyle

TEST YOUR IDEAS

 

The prompt for Day 7 of #5MFW #write31days is the word test. There are many tests we have throughout our lives. In each we learn things and often come through them stronger. They are not always easy, but God is with me every step of the way. I must test my ideas. Though I plan and try, I always find that I need His help.

 

 

In a way, this 31 Days to a Healthier Lifestyle is a test for me. Starting out I did not have a set plan, just some ideas to put into practice. There were areas in my life that needed attention. I was neglecting exercise, regular meals and even my devotional time. By making a commitment to write these 31 days, I thought it would help keep me accountable.

 

Sometimes life seems like a whirlwind of activity, and it’s hard to make an effort to form new habits. Part of the test for me is to see if I can actually make beneficial changes during these 31 days. As I mentioned in the introductory post, exercise is near the top of the list. By losing fat and gaining muscle I believe I will feel better and have more energy to pursue daily activities.

 

FIRST WEEK INVENTORY – TEST YOUR IDEAS

 

Taking an inventory of my first week, I think I’m well on the way to passing the first test of setting some regular habits. Some days I have an exercise routine; other days I take a brisk walk. Though I have not exercised every single day, I have done it at least five days out of the first week. It has already made me feel somewhat stronger and confident. On top of that I’ve lost a couple of pounds.

 

 

As far as food and nutrition, I still need to work on planning menus. This helps me know ahead of time what groceries are needed. By having the meals set, I also know how much time to allow for the preparing of them. This saves me from having last minute panic about what to fix for dinner and just settling for whatever is handy. Tonight I am making homemade pizza. Maybe I’ll share the recipe on Tuesday.

 

PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE READING

 

One of the most important habits I’m trying to reestablish is my morning time of prayer and scripture reading. I enjoyed my second day of this new/old habit. I took my coffee upstairs and read a couple of chapters from the book of Joshua. It’s for an online Bible study using a journal to record verses and observations from the daily chapter.

 

 

Next I took out my prayer journal and read the verse at the top of the page.

 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
(Matthew 5:8 KJV)

I then prayed,

Oh God, make my heart pure.
Draw me close to you and
help me to desire your will.
Help me to love you more.

After that I thanked God for answered prayer. Then I prayed for the friends and family that were on my mind. The verse at the bottom of the journal page was a blessing to me as I read it.

What a glorious Lord!
He who daily bears our burdens
also gives us our salvation.
(Psalm 68:19-20 NLT)

I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #FreshMarketFriday, #ThoughtProvokingThursday.

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