Tag: christian women

Self Care is Biblical

Today’s guest blogger is Michelle Hartgraves from Faith, Coffee and Miles. She is amazing wife, mother and fitness enthusiast with a heart for God. I am grateful for her contribution to FaithFueled Moms and her valued input on how we must take care of ourselves. Check out her thoughts:

Imagine what happens when you neglect to give your home the necessary attention it needs, soon it would be in total disarray, dishes piling up, mountains of laundry needing to be done, etc. Now think about what happens to your physical home (your body, your temple) when it is neglected or your attention is elsewhere; frustration, impatience, weight gain, health problems, spiritual emptiness, and depression are all factors that come into play.

Strengthening our bodies to nurture ourselves physically

Proverbs 31:17 “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”

Physical activity is great stress relief. Physical activity also reduces our risks for and complications of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, Type 2 diabetes, and much more. When we work out, it sweats out our toxins, and helps us become stronger physically. Regular exercise strengthens our immune systems and can give us more energy to get our tasks done.

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

When we work out it raises our serotonin levels, which are feel good chemicals flooding your system. It can help us cope with stress, lowers our cortisol levels which can cause weight gain, and gets our mind off what is troubling us at the moment. As if there wasn’t enough stress in life, I have a preteen and a teen so running or working out is my sanity saver. It helps me refocus and re-evaluate. Did you know that when we exercise, we build muscle and stamina, but we also release a protein called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) which also helps boost the feeling of happiness and effects memory. We feel not only physically stronger but mentally stronger. We have more energy to be in the moment and enjoy our kids, to enjoy daily life and feel better about ourselves.

Nurturing our minds and well-being

Mark 6:31 “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while…”

The Bible speaks about rest several time, beginning with the creation week. The Ten Commandments made resting on the Sabbath a requirement of the Law. Even Jesus rested in his ministry. God desires rest for us because it does not come naturally to us.

Sleep/Rest it plays a part with rebalancing hormone function. Sleep influences our body’s hormone response and insulin sensitivity and is necessary to heal and detox. It helps restore the Nervous system, manage stress, is good for our immune system and adrenal glands, and even lowers cortisol levels. Some things you can do to improve sleep is to sleep in a completely dark room, follow a regular routine for meals and sleep, and include relaxing herbal teas in your nighttime routine. Try to limit starches at bed time and aim for at least 7 hours if you can, or allow yourself to take a nap if you need it. Most importantly of all, listen to your body.

There are several things you can do to give your mind a break. Make time for your self by going for a leisurely walk solo, read a book you have been meaning to read for a while, or fill the tub with Epsom salts or bubble bath. Do what makes you feel rested and rejuvenated. For the Christian, the ultimate rest is found in Christ. He invites all who are “weary and burdened” to come to Him and cast our cares on Him (Matthew 11:28; 1 Peter 5:7). It is only in Him that we can find complete rest—from the cares of the world, from the burdens that weigh us down. Journal or write down reassuring Bible verses to memorize or look back on during times of stress or when you feel discouraged.

You are just as important as all of the things and people you constantly give your energy, love, and time to. Give yourself the gift of you – the gift of making self-care a priority, to take care of your overall well-being. After all, how much more of an impact can we make in other’s lives, in our home, and in the world for God if we have the stamina and energy to do it. We can better take care of others if we take care of ourselves.

3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

Do you believe self care is important? Do you practice self care?

Meet Michelle

I am a Pastor’s wive, mother of three, Navy Veteran, Certified Health Coach, blogger and avid runner. Running is my sanity saver and I am fueled by God’s word and coffee!

http://faithcoffeemiles.blogspot.com/

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Tags christian women, health, self-care, wellness

Weightloss Journey

Make Your New Year’s Resolution Stick

Post author By De
Post date December 29, 2019
3 Comments on Make Your New Year’s Resolution Stick

It’s that time of year we are all thinking of our New Year’s Resolutions or goals for the upcoming year! We are resolving “all the things” that we want to improve on. It’s a new year, a new opportunity to be the best you.

Unfortunately, according to StatisticBrain in 2015, about 8% of people who made a New Year’s Resolution succeeded. I used to be against New Year’s Resolution until I thought about it another way.

New Year’s Resolutions are not that bad

Ordinarily, people wish, want, and hope to be the best versions of themselves. New Year’s is the one time a year that we are united in our thinking that we need to make a change for the better in our lives. The idea of a New Year is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the one, two, or maybe three things you want to improve in your life.

Take action towards your New Year’s Resolutions

Some people take it further than New Year’s Eve resolve and attempt to make a change for about two to three weeks. Until the need or want to change no longer becomes a priority. Familiar and comfortable habits creep back into your life. And the passion fades. Then we are back to business as usual.

Make your New Year’s Resolution a solution

Why? How? Why did that passion go away so quickly? How do you keep that motivation going? There are lots of tips. I am sure within the next week everyone will have an opinion. I know I can only speak from my experience what proved to work and make a resolution a solution and now a lifestyle that I plan on maintaining forever.

Seven ways to Make Your New Year’s Resolution a Lifestyle

7. Do the research.

Find out what you need to get to where you’re going. If you plan on publishing a book, what steps do you need to take? If you planning on losing weight, how much? How? Why?

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. Proverbs 19:2

6. Prepare Yourself.

Don’t just wake up January 1st, throw away everything in your house and go to the gym running on the elliptical like a cheetah (for about 3 minutes), lifting up a 5 lbs dumbbell two or three times and wiping the sweat from your brow talking about, Phew! I did it! Get a plan, a good plan a plan that is made just for you, your likes, and goals and then get ready to execute that plan. Buy the food on the menu, prep the meals, schedule time in your week to do the workouts!

Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.”

5. Find a buddy or group.

Don’t just find any buddy; find someone who is going to call you out lovingly if you’re not doing what you should and someone to be your loudest biggest cheerleader just when you need that extra push. Accountability buddies can be invaluable with the ups and downs of a weight loss or goal-seeking journey. You can join us at Bible and Bootcamps for 6-week basic training for healthy lifestyle habits. It includes daily prayer, meditation, encouragement and accountability, 6 weeks of exercise, healthy eating guidelines and meal ideas. We have an amazing group of women growing and supporting each other through our faith then the fitness journey.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

4.Execute with Energy.

If you’re going to do something, do it well. Do it to the best of your abilities! Just think you’re only going to be uncomfortable for a maximum of 1 hour out of your day. That is going to add years to your life. The cost is less than the benefit, and you’re so worth it.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

3. Track your progress.

According to findings of the American Psychological Association, “Frequently monitoring progress toward goals increases the chance of success. There are various ways that you can track your results. You can use a fitness tracker, pictures, food logs, and measurement logs are examples of easy ways to track your progress. I don’t like the numbers games of scales and measurements and although I do track my measurements I prefer pictures. Everyone is different, but you’ll find what works best for you.

2. Craft the best, Why!

Other than prayer. An excellent “Why?” will get you up and out of bed on a cold rainy day and into the gym. A magnificent “Why?” will give you the self-discipline to say “No, thank you” to that one indulgence. It’s going to get you over the hurdle and sustain you through the plateaus. You MUST, no exception have a “why?” to make your resolution stick!

1.Pray and Give it to God.

When we do things with Christ it makes it so much easier, attainable and within our reach, because He can place all our wants in the palm of our hands. Giving your goals to Christ to lead your steps and follow your directions. While you’re doing the research, while you’re preparing yourself, when you have to decide to use that plan b and to execute and get the plan done will help you achieve your goals and the ones that He has for you too. This may be the missing piece that hindered you from achieving that resolution but not this year. You’re doing things a little different.

“On days we’re not motivated to exercise, perhaps we need to go to Jesus. We can lay our very real struggle into His very capable hands and watch Him work in us for His glory.”-Matthew Pryor

When you are consistently filling yourself with the Bread of life instead of being content with the “food that spoils” you will never go hungry both physically and spiritually. “Do not reserve the Bread of Life just for Sundays. Make it a daily mindset” to achieve your goals with His strength.

How do you plan to stick to your resolutions? Have you ever considered intentionally praying for direction and help to achieve your desires?

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Understanding God’s Love

Psalm 127:3 (NIV) “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.”

He Gives Us Real-Life Examples

Sometimes, I wonder does God give us children to understand His frustrations, unconditional love, empathy, and desire for more than we want for ourselves. I can remember my mother telling me, “I can’t wait till you have children of your own.” Of course, it wasn’t until I had children of my own; I could understand her perspective.

Reminders in the Word

When reading the word, I sometimes relate to motherhood. It is something that is a part of my identity and that I can easily relate and understand. For example, my children’s selective hearing. I will tell my daughter specific instructions, at which she will do something entirely different or my favorite, nothing at all. Then, it ends up messed up, and I either have to help her or tell her again. Then by “GODcidence”, I am reading Jonah how God told him to flee Ninevah.

[“Cliff Notes” version, although Jonah is a very short yet powerful chapter in the Bible] He does his own thing deliberately disobeying God and sets out for Tarshish (for those new to the story which is thousands of miles in a different direction). Jonah ends up in the belly of a big fish (aka whale). God the Father delivers Jonah and again tells his hard headed child to go to Ninevah and deliver a message.

Jonah 3:1-2 (NIV) “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

As I am reading this, of course, I think “man Jonah sounds like my daughters’.” There is a difference, though; our God has so much more compassion and patience than I. He is slow to anger (which I am working/praying on).

More than I deserve

Jonah 4:2, 4-5 (NIV) 2 “He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.”

It even angered Jonah to think after all he had done God still provided. Even though Jonah had no right to be angry, God still provided Him shade from the sun. Just like when my twelve-year-old gets mad at me for doing what’s right for her but not the way she wanted me to. Doesn’t make me stop loving or caring for her. I am her mother, who still loves her and will always do anything to provide.I sometimes sit back thinking I am so undeserving of His grace. God reminds me of the grace and unconditional love through my girls. Comparing God’s love to a mother’s love is the only way I can make sense of His unwavering love.

None Like Him

Now, I know the story of Jonah is not about how to love your children, rather obey the Lord and to forgive everyone. Comparing it to my kids helps me gain perspective. (Since, coming back to my faith I have found several different applications of the story of Jonah.) There is no man that would give their Son for me much like how I would give up everything for my girls, (which “Godcidentally” God has given me them too). I am grateful for my Heavenly Father’s unconditional love and although sometimes I feel I am not worth it or don’t like how things are done. At the end of the day, He loves me for who I am, and that will never change.

What helps you understand God’s love?

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My Kryptonite

FaithFueled Friday

Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

The Truth Hurts

like to think of myself quick witted, my husbands says I give out “zingers,” my mother says that I am sarcastic and smarty pants, but the Bible says I must train my tongue.[James 1:26}

Ouch! As I read the words it was like God was talking directly to me; confirming my biggest character flaw. I feel like I wasn’t born with a filter, it pops in my head and out my mouth before I even realize the thought has occurred. Sometimes making people laugh, sometimes taking them down for the count or knocking the wind right out of their sails. No matter what the delivery, it is not how God intended me to use my words. I am not proud of it at all, and honestly, it is one of my daily prayers: Lord, please help me to be mindful of what I say.

I was reading, “Becoming more than a good Bible Study girl ,” by Lysa TerKeurst. I love her realness and ability to admit her flaws and grow from them to teach others to grow too. Lysa said: “Our words can be used to build up or tear down. We can speak words of encouragement or we can speak words of destruction. We can think before we speak or we can react without thinking about the effects of our words. These are choices we make every time we open our mouths.”

Learning the Right Choices

There are a few suggestions Lysa makes for women who are “filterless” like me. (I thought maybe specifically me, but I don’t know Lysa personally so I am assuming there are more women out there with the same disability). Some are warnings or things to avoid, and others are words of wisdom. All are just what I need to be mindful of on a day to day basis. “Guard your tongue to keep out of trouble” Phew! Talk about eat the frog.

James 3:5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Since being saved, I have strive to do right by God and also seek truth; meaning just because one of my favorite authors says to do something I am responsible to research for myself and learn.

James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

Double blow, so I now had to figure out a way to hold my tongue. I am not always successful, but I now have that ingrained in my mind. There are some instances when I lose my senses but God know I am a work in progress and when those times I may have to bit my tongue, say a little prayer and count to 100; sometimes 300, but I am getting better.

Another suggestion, “Limit your words to be wise,” I think that is even harder when you think you are wise and need to speak your wisdom. Again, guilty! Some may say that I am a bit of a know it all, but I thank God every day for His grace, and I am working on it.

Using your words for good

Your words can be used a variety of ways but as a Christian, it is our job to us them to honor God in all things we say or do. I now make a conscious effort to use a filter even if it wasn’t my instincts. God has given me one to use. In my research, I have found some wisdom from the Bible when it comes to how to use your words for good. What is your Kryptonite? How do you use it for God’s honor?

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Tags bible, choices, Christian, christian women, christianity, God's word, Jesus, speech, tongue, weakness, words

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Idolizing Success

FaithFueled Friday

Psalm 31:6 (NIV) I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.

Idols

Chasing the impossible dream

Did you ever have to read the poem, A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes? I loved it; I used to think of it when things would go wrong in business. It now has new meaning. I used to be an Entrepreneur I was so obsessed with the “Success” of my business; fulfilling my dream. At the time, I had two little girls 10 and 6 and one on the way. I don’t know if it was the pregnancy hormones, but I was on a mission to put my business on a stable platform before I had my baby. My need to succeed placed on any other priority. I relentlessly pursued every opportunity right or wrong. Looking back I have realized; my business never would be successful because God was not in the equation. I did not commission Him to help me reach my goals. I took it on my shoulders to carry that burden and became weak. Spending wasted ours chasing money and success.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV) I have seen all thins that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Idol

Flaws in the dream process

Now, the poem has new meaning. What happens to a dream deferred? It remains, it’s not going anywhere sometimes it needs to rest and placed for a later time. Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? It all depends on where your heart is. My heart now belongs entirely to God any dream that doesn’t glorify him has shriveled and died. I have new ideas that I am finding out can incorporate some of the old thoughts but unless it’s foundation is placed in the Lord it’s on shaky grounds. Or fester like a sore and then run? It did rot, I thought about “What will people think?” “What about all that energy I put into it?,”What about others who can obtain their dreams?” at one point all sore points but I have now found contentment in God and those wounds have healed.

idol.

Gaining the focus I need

Does it stink like rotten meat? Not anymore that has been thrown away. There is a new dream, one that involves God who can make it better than anything I could have done on my own. Or crust and sugar over– like a syrupy sweet? The peace I have, the lack of angst, the new focus is so much more pleasing. I sit back and look at those who I used to run with towards the shiny gold medal. I see the error of our ways and rather than be sore or smell the agony of defeat, I feel contentment. That is so much sweeter than being in the rat race. Maybe it just sags like a heavy load? Not for me I have someone to help me carry that burden, someone to give my yoke to so that I can be free from burdens. Or does it explode? Only through his grace has my business taken on new heights. The delivery has changed, but it is far exceeding anything that I could have done on my own. All because I put my idol of “success” away and leaned and relied on God. Is there something that you are making a priority over God? Is there something that you’ve done a priority and want to give it over to him now? Either way, what were your results?