I hate it when I have to start over.
Whether it’s a writing project, an exercise routine, or healthy eating, it stinks when I get off track and let all of my hard work go to waste.
I’ve especially been noticing it in my eating habits lately. For a long time, I was making healthier choices and cutting out between-meal snacks.
For the last week or so, I’ve found myself in the kitchen way too often, consuming handfuls of M&Ms and marshmallows at all hours of the day. Why?
Is it stress? Is it boredom? It’s certainly not hunger. I guess I have some work to do as I look at what’s sending me to the kitchen.
But that’s not what I want to focus on right now. What I want us to consider is the fact that we can always start over, even if we do it fifty times in one day.
I don’t have to throw in the towel and pig out this weekend, telling myself I’ll start again on Monday. I can declare a restart right now and get back to making smart decisions about what I’m eating and when I eat.
If you’ve gotten into the habit of hitting the snooze five times in the mornings, you can declare a restart and get up the first time your alarm rings tomorrow morning.
If you’ve quit going to the gym or taking your daily run, you can declare a restart and do some kind of exercise tomorrow.
If you’ve fallen into the miserable habit of complaining about everything that happens to you during a typical day, you can declare a restart and start noticing things to be thankful for instead.
We don’t have to wait until next week, next month, or next year. Let’s declare a restart and get back on track!
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1–2 NIV)
Have you gotten off track in any area of your life? How can focusing on God help you to declare a restart and get back to better ways of doing things?
Yes, what a convicting (and encouraging) message! I’m going to do a restart right now … on my attitude. *sigh* With God’s help, I will rein in my impatience and frustration, and hopefully display more of the fruit of the Spirit. If I fail, I’ll start over right away. Thank you for this important reminder!
Lora,
Hang in there! We all need frequent restarts when it comes to our attitudes. Show yourself some grace and keep running back to the Holy Spirit for help! Thanks for the encouraging comment. ~Robyn