Turning Health Goals into Reality
Perhaps you have said, “I need to get healthier.” You know what you should do. You may even have made the decision many times before. But knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things.
And we all have been there and done that. So we are in this boat, so to speak, together.
However, the difference some achieve, and some don’t, is often found in one word: perseverance.
A health goal becomes reality when we move from simply wanting change to intentionally pursuing it: focused on one decision, one day and one step at a time.
From Readiness to Performance
The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. … Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also.” 2 Corinthians 8:11–12
Here’s the powerful principle: to see a task or goal to completion, a willingness to begin must become a willingness to perform it to the end.
It is easy to become excited about a new health goal. We make plans, purchase what we need, and determine that this time will be different.
But excitement eventually fades.
What carries us forward is not simply motivation. It is a commitment to keep doing what we have determined is right…even when we don't feel like doing it.
A goal might be to lose a certain amount of weight, exercise consistently, improve sleep, eat more healthfully, lower a health risk, or simply develop habits that honor God with the body temple He has given us for Him to dwell in.
Whatever the goal, moving from:
“I want to” to “I will,” and then from
“I will” to “I am doing it,” to
“I am all in until I have completed the goal”
and finally to
“I DID IT!” and onward still to
“Now I will maintain my achievement” or
“Now I will set my next step in the process of attaining my ultimate goal.”
Keep Your Eyes on the Goal
Paul used the imagery of an athlete to describe the Christian life:
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” 1 Corinthians 9:24
A runner does not win a race by constantly looking behind.
The runner keeps moving toward the finish line.
The same is true of our health goals. We can become distracted by yesterday's failures, discouraged by today's difficulties, or overwhelmed by how far we still have to go.
Instead, keep your eye on the goal.
Hebrews gives us another powerful picture: “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1–2
Notice two important ideas: run with patience and look to Jesus.
Health transformation does not happen overnight. It is a process. There will be good days and difficult days. There may be setbacks. But a setback does not have to become a surrender or failure. As is true in the Spiritual, it is also true in physical life.
My niece recently shared her a-ha moment from Proverbs 24:16 “A just [righteous] man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”
She made a powerful statement: “In order for the righteous man to fall he must first be standing.”
He is actively striving for the good and though he stumbles and fall, Christ will pick him up, dust him off, and get him going in the right direction again.
“Commit thy work unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3.
Here’s the powerful principle: Progression over Perfection.
If you stumble, get back up. If you miss a workout, begin again tomorrow. If you make an unhealthy choice, make a healthy choice at the next opportunity. The goal is not perfection. The goal is faithful progress.
Perseverance Makes the Difference
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4
Perseverance develops something inside us that cannot be produced by making a resolution alone.
Every time we keep a commitment when it would be easier to quit, we strengthen our ability to keep the next commitment. Small victories accumulate.
One healthy meal becomes another.
One walk becomes another.
One night of adequate sleep becomes another.
One day of following the plan becomes another.
Eventually, the repeated decisions become habits, and habits, form character and begin shaping our lives in a new direction.
Paul encouraged us: “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
There is a harvest connected to perseverance.
Don't quit before the harvest.
Up Coming Events:
Introducing
Better Together Health Challenge Club
One Goal. One Month. One Community. A Healthier You.
If you love a challenge and are ready to take steps to improve your health then join the Better Together Health Challenge Online Club, where you'll set a clear goal that you can track and measure your progress, have encouragement to continue striving for progression over perfection, until you have successfully reached your goal.
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