...

Good morning!

An interesting phenomenon came over me the other day while I was pondering a health challenge. I was feeling momentarily defeated by a worsened result on my recent bone density exam. I had been faithfully taking the recommended vitamins for 3 years and had researched the benefits and almost everyone has had positive outcomes with this particular combination. So, much to my disappointment, it appeared my bone density had still worsened.

After quickly reviewing the online result before rushing off to church, I was a bit baffled. But suddenly this awareness came over me: Praise the Lord! Just that–-praise the Lord! If this is the result, well maybe it’s what I needed to see and hear because perhaps there is something else I will gain from this!

I knew I wanted to be consistent with weight lifting - a prime ingredient for bone health - and I know there are other benefits as I get older, so praise the Lord for the kick in the pants! 🙂

I started to think about all the things I might consider to be hurdles or difficulties and how quickly I can reflexively consider them to be “bad” and how much more uplifting it is to shift to praise and thanks, knowing God has a good plan for all the things for me!

Thankfully that shift in my thinking happened quickly because I was motivated and happy and not at all feeling defeated. I had a spring in my step…..all because I KNOW that I know that I know that God loves me and I don’t have to worry.

By the end of the day I casually thought about the bone density results that I had printed but not grabbed off the printer. As I went to look at them, I discovered that whatever I had seen earlier was not at all the truth. My results had indeed improved.

I laughed out loud and thought about the other so-called lies I may have believed in the past. How much better it is to shift the focus onto what is really true and watch as God works all things for our good!

I’m still going to the gym :)  and weights have already become a regular part of my routine. But God showed me yet again how praise can lift my spirits before I see the results.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!