I really enjoyed the message at church yesterday.
The topic was “Delivering Grace. Delivering Hope.”
Of course I enjoyed the message as it relates to my life as a Christian, but perhaps as someone who is fitness and health minded, I couldn’t help hear how parts of the message relate to those on a journey to improve their health and/or fitness.
One topic was about “Good vs. Bad.” The emphasis in the message at church was these are the two categories that fail us. Likewise, these are the categories that fail people when it comes to health and fitness as well.
When I sit down and discuss nutrition with people, I often start off by emphasizing that you likely won’t ever hear me say that there are “good foods” or “bad foods;” however, there are foods that support our goals more than others.
Generally speaking, I advise against eating these two foods: 1) foods that you hate and 2) foods that you are allergic too.
Otherwise, nearly all foods can have their place.
One point the Pastor mentioned was “people feel they mess up more than they succeed.” He went on to say, “the problem is that all of us fail.” That is so incredibly true!
Social media and getting caught up in the comparison game often leads people to believe they are so far behind or they aren’t making progress at the same rate as others. My encouragement for you: ignore all of that. The vast majority of folks aren’t posting their failures or publicizing their shortcomings. The cold hard truth: everyone fails. The difference is made with how you respond to that failure.
Whenever I fall short, I like to default to the mindset of: “no losses, only lessons.” As long as we use failure as an opportunity to reflect…instead of using it as a reference point to quit and stop trying…I’ll bet way more on the long-term success of someone who shows up and fights no matter how many times they fail.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The message at church continued with “failure rarely stays private” and “failure rarely just affects us.”
This can be a tough one to accept and acknowledge. Think about how failing to take care of your health affects your family? Or, how it affects your ability to volunteer or serve an organization that means a lot to you. Or, how it affects your confidence or self-esteem. You might think that’s all internal, but ultimately, it does affect those around you.
The Pastor’s message of encouragement was, “the courageous thing is to show up. Face consequences. Refuse to let failure have the final word–that’s grace.” He went on to say, “come as you are.”
I really loved that last point. Biblically speaking, it referred to the shepherds meeting baby Jesus for the first time in the manger. Small history lesson here–shepherds at that time were considered lowly, unclean people. Yet, they were called upon to be the first to meet this wonderful baby.
Again, I couldn’t help but think about my gym and our coaching service. I don’t ask folks to “be in shape” before starting the gym. I don’t ask folks to be eating perfect or spot on to get started with us. I don’t even ask people to know anything about weights to start! Come as you are!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Final point here on this beautiful Monday…and this picks up from where we left off on the good vs. bad discussion: “don’t carry around the label of ‘bad.'”
Instead, consider using the word, “transformed.” I looked up the definition of transformed and it read, “to make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of.” Nowhere does it say “perfection, failure,” or “impossible.”
We are all capable of transformation. It’s not reserved for any special person who meets a particular criteria.
You can do it.
I believe in you.
Sincerely,
Your friend in wellness and fitness,
Coach Candice
P.S. I posted a video last week. “Believe it before you can see it.” I would hope that you find it encouraging. You can view it here
P.P.S. I loved hearing the word “transform” in this message at church. Ironically, I have an intensive 6-week program with a focus on “transformation.” It is for Remote Coaching clients and you can learn more about it here