Hebrews 12:1 NIV 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

This Fall I hope to put into place some disciplines I have set aside throughout the Summer months. Though I used to carefully watch what I ate, this Summer I have slipped into some bad habits that have changed the shape of my body! Bad habits, physically, spiritually or emotionally always change us. We allow things to slip in on occasion at the beginning, the odd extra piece of cheese, that desert we usually would bypass etc. and before we know it, we are  allowing more and more of the very things we should be avoiding into our life.

It’s the same situation with our emotional life. If we allow things to sap our emotional strength such as a lack of sleep, spending too much  time with complainers and grumblers, beating ourselves up over things we have done, we begin to suffer emotionally. It then becomes much more difficult to fight off the negative thoughts and patterns in our lives. We become the walking wounded and instead of being a blessing and encourager to others we slowly become self centered and pitiful.

Our spiritual life is no different. When we spend our time watching too much tv, listening to music that does not glorify God or doing anything else that draws us away from time with our Heavenly Father, we begin to suffer spiritually. He has given us many wonderful things to enjoy in this life of ours but He must always come first if we are to keep these things in their proper perspective.  If we are not reading the Word of God, or spending enough time in prayer we become weak spiritually. We don’t recall the scripture we need at times of temptation or difficulty. We tend to try and work things out for ourselves, which usually does not end well.

I have a long way to grow but as with any growth, it has to start somewhere.  My prayer is that this Fall will be a season of new growth, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Just as the leaves on the trees die and fall to the ground, I want those bad habits and patterns I have allowed in my life that are no longer life-giving to be put to death.  Lord help me to lean in closer to You, to stand on your Word and with the help of your Spirit,  to lay aside the things that so easily beset me. Let me use my time wisely and run the race the way you have called me to, putting away the things in my life that are drawing me away from your beautiful presence and are keeping me from fulfilling all that you have designed for my life.

Amen

Hebrews 12:1 NIV 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Phillipians 3:12 NIV¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

1 Peter 2:1-5 NIV 2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. ² Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, ³ now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him- ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.