I couldn't understand why my shorts were tightening around my waist; it didn't make sense and I could have just thrown up my hands and did a whatever....
It was hard to shoulder press 5lbs of dumbbells' 4 times yet could pull or push 200lbs of a sled..
What To Do?
What about the relationships that died and we're trying to decide if we can try again?
What about that dream that's sitting on the docket?
What about coming out of the past 2 plus years and trying to find our voice and footing once again?
Forward Friday is an encouragement to take a chance on doing the thing(s) that we want to do but feel like we can't... What if we decided to take a chance because we never know what miracles lay just ahead of the decision to do something because we made a decision to do.....
Let's Get Into It..
So..... I had come back from vacation this past summer and that vacation menu, the extras brought a few extra pounds and I know no one has ever had that problem!!!!!
So it's 2 weeks later and those 10 lbs that have always come off after being away isn't coming off...
You may say, it's not a huge deal but what you may or may not have not known is part of my story is that I had a weight problem for years... An eating disorder and it took a long time to deal with those past issues but I finally overcame it....
But Now There Is This Problem.
Funny, I decided after a couple of weeks of not getting any change to happen, I decided to see a naturopath, adjust some of my eating and it is making dividends.
Interesting; the naturopath said before I left, " It's unfortunate that most people don't take the chance to see change come."
" It's unfortunate that most people don't take the chance to see change come."
I separated my shoulder a few years ago as well as dislocating my knee..... Being an active guy, it was frustrating and while the injuries wouldn't completely stop me, it hampered what I would and could do.
But one day about 18 months ago, I decided that it was time to take a chance to get better and stronger.
So I joined a small gym and it was one of the best decisions of my life.
Some past gym experiences were not good ones and in life, there are moments where the bad or frustrating times seem to dictate forward movement.
My question was not that I'd never done this (working out-sports) before, but could I do it again to levels that would make a difference in my life and health; to be the best I can be?
There are moments where the bad or frustrating times seem to dictate forward movement or the lack of movement.
So the good news.......... Even though there are some things that I need to adjust and plan B's come into effect when I'm working out, I'm getting stronger and instead of regression, It's a steady and positive progression.
Conversations sparked the realization that so many people have "Frozen Shoulder, Dislocated Knee" syndrome, meaning that there is something that holds them back for whatever reason yet, what if we could look at whatever it is in a different light, maybe just maybe, things could change.
Yes, my recent experiences are of a physical nature but that doesn't mean there haven't been other "What Would I Do If I Knew I Could" Fear or Faith Moments?
Catering experiences, becoming a minister, becoming a certified referee (officiating a Canadiens alumnae game for example)....
Relationships:
Before my wife came along, the road of romance was littered with many disappointments. I would be frustrated because I seemed to have the "Nice Guy" syndrome.
Girls would say that I was a nice guy but there was always the "But". That conjunction joining 2 sentences which rarely ever bode well for a long term romance.
But then Kelly came along and while it was not love at first sight, as the friendship grew, the fear of failure was always nagging in the back of my mind.
But there was an evening when Kelly showed interest and while my defenses screamed to keep the fence up of so called protection of my heart and soul, but 26 years later, I am thankful that I fought through that barrier to the life we have now.
My defenses screamed to keep the fence up of so called protection of my heart and soul, but 26 years later, I am thankful that I fought through that barrier to the life we have now.
But...... You don't understand what I've gone through....
Stories:
My friend's life was sent in disarray because of a former spouse's decision. It would have been easy to shut the door and become cold, distant, to believe that once a victim always a victim so just close the door.
Today, life has become fruitful, vibrant, exciting with new horizons coming into view, a new love/fiancé who has enriched and helped to mend and heal the broken places....
But what if the choice was to shut down and say We couldn't when the truth was/is, We Could??
Another friend was encouraged to train for a triathlon recently. To say that it has been an incredible change to see her get stronger, getting into incredible shape and do something that 6 months ago would have probably gotten a laugh or snicker at the suggestion has propelled her self confidence.
It has been such an awesome change for all to see the metamorphic growth of someone who always had greatness inside but it is now flowing out in unprecedented ways.
Forgiveness:
I think one of the hardest things for many people to do is to forgive someone who has wounded us.
Now there are some things that while forgiveness for us is a must to remove the poison that unforgiveness breeds, it in no way means that we must continue connection with some.
However, many times, there are many regrets of people who wished later on that they decided to forgive those who wounded them early on.
The regrets of holding on to that pain, contempt for the one who hurt them have made many pay a double penalty they had no business having to pay.
I know; years ago, I spent 10 days in hospital for kidney stones and while the physical pain was extreme, it had nothing on the emotional pain of holding on to the pain a broken relationship had caused.
Sometimes, we just have to face ourselves and on the 6th day in that hospital bed, I made the choice that it was time to forgive that person and while the physical pain remained for a few more days, the emotional, psychological and spiritual pain began to alleviate.
It wasn't long after that point when I was able to personally see that person and get things back in to right order.
So again the question remains, what is it that is keeping you from that thing? What would you do if you knew you could?
Some Good Medicine Is Always A Good Thing
For many, fear is a great detractor, distraction, immobilizer from moving forward. It is said to have iceberg like effects that cause people to freeze, stops us from moving forward in so many areas of life.
But What If: What if we recognized fear for the many times that it is......
False Evidence Appearing Real..................
Maybe, the reason why we don't do what we can do is because we're getting false readings on whatever "That Thing" is and that false reading is not true?
Fear can be debilitating; it is intended to keep us from having power, love and a sound mind, contrary to how God wants us to live.
Fear is a dirty player because the end game is to keep us stuck but what if.........
What If We Believed These Truths For Our Lives....
Jesus said that He came to give life and to give life abundantly.....
Jesus also said, "All things can be/are possible to them that believe."
The Bible also says that God did "Not" give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
God had told Joshua and in effect, He is telling us "To Be Strong And Courageous", and He punctuated it 3 times with the encouragement, I'm with you, I've got you!!!
So....... what is that thing that is holding us back because if we knew we could, we would?
Mending a relationship
Taking a chance on a new adventure
Trying that thing the we have been paralyzed to step out in to.
But Whatever "It Is"......... maybe it's time to make a Choice to take a Chance To See Change come!!
Maybe this is our time to finally look False Evidence Appearing Real in the face and respond by connecting to God and gain his strength so that with the power of faith, we instead, send fear running!!!
Because just maybe, it's our time now!!!
Walking the Faith Filled Road With you....
Dave
#ForwardFriday #Faith #Fearless #Power #Love #SoundMind #FalseEvidence #Blog #Speaker #IfWeKnewWeCouldWeWould #Strength #Courageous #Strong #NewDay
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