There Are No Magic Pills

The word 'diet' has become a topic of frustration for many. Many people have tried different diet fads that might bring short-term results before returning to their previous weight. It is often too much, too fast, and people end up putting on more weight than before they started the diet. There are no magic pills or easy solutions. A sustainable, healthy diet that will bring lasting results focuses on moderation and quality food over a lifetime, rather than total elimination of food groups in short bursts. One of the biggest stumbling blocks for a healthy diet is a lack of planning. Life can get busy and by failing to plan, we are planning to fail. Fast food restaurants would love to provide us with meals three times a day. However, while convenient, this is not necessarily a wise decision for your finances or the quality of your food. Creating a plan for your meals before the week begins can help you to be proactive in this area of your life. Packing snacks in the morning will help you get through the day so you don't have to resort to a vending machine or drive-thru when you are in a time crunch. Proper planning prevents poor body performance. How important is the Physical area to our spiritual walk? There is a direct correlation to what we put into our bodies and how we feel, which in turn affects our walk. One of the fruits of the Spirit, as seen in Galatians 5:22, is patience. Have you noticed a change in your patience if you have not slept well or missed a meal? Not drinking enough water and becoming dehydrated? What about a difference from eating plenty of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables versus eating junk food? There are times when food is used as a comfort during stressful times instead of leaning on the Lord. We turn to our sugary snack instead of seeking our comfort from the Lord. The way we treat and sustain our bodies can help or hinder our effectiveness in His mission. A healthy lifestyle is living intentionally in how we fuel, maintain, and care for our bodies while keeping an eternal perspective. How intentional are you with what you eat? How might you grow in this area?

---

ITEC's LIFE Focus is developing tools for discipleship and walking His Trail in all areas of life. The LIFE Study is a tool for taking an honest assessment of your life and ask who is really writing my story? Remember, God does not want to be the editor, He wants to be the Author.