Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Don't Feel Like It? Do It Anyway!

I want to share with you part of the devotional from Our Daily Bread (RBC ministries publication). I thought it was really good and very applicable to those of us on our Take Shape for Life/Medifast journey to weight loss. The devotional addressed the issue of how we approach doing unwanted tasks.

The author, Dennis Fisher, stated that when faced with an unwanted task "my wife and I have a motto we repeat to each other: 'I don't feel like it--but I'm going to do it anyway.' There is something about recognizing our lack of motivation and then choosing to be responsible that helps us follow through.

God's value on faith and obedience can be seen in the parables of Jesus. Christ spoke about two sons who were asked to work in the vineyard. The first said no, but 'afterward he regretted it and went' (Matthew 21:29). The second said yes but did not follow through. Then the Lord ask His listeners, 'Which of the two did the will of his father' (verse 31). The obvious answer is the one who finished the task.

Our Lord's illustration underscores a key spiritual principle. God is interested in our faith and obedience--not just our good intentions. Next time you are tempted to shirk your duties, why not say, 'I don't feel like it,' and then ask God for the grace to do it anyway."

This devotional certainly has a wider application than just this weight loss journey of ours, but I thought about the times when I don't feel like staying on plan, or about the times when I don't feel like exercising. My take-away from this devotional is that I need to do it anyway. In doing so, I honor the Lord."

Who's committed to an on-plan day, whether you feel like it or not?

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