Day 21 – Fit For Life Challenge

Good morning everyone!😀 It’s Day 21! This morning I want to talk about something that makes the difference between someone who successfully completes something they set out to do, and someone who doesn’t ….that is perseverance. Nothing magical. Just plain old “Stick-to-itiveness”! Perseverance isn’t quite the same as stubbornness, but it’s close! I think of it as when someone has a goal and they will not give up until it is complete, no matter what obstacles get in the way! I also think of a person who has a job to do and they go at it day after day after day, never giving up until the job is done. This thing called perseverance is what makes success stories. Most people who are successful at something they set out to do, are just regular people who simply did not quit! If they failed, they learned from it and tried again.

Thomas Edison is a great example of perseverance. At a young age he was labeled unteachable. But as you know, he eventually went on to invent the electric light bulb. Along the way he tried many, many ways that didn’t work. Some people said he failed, but he simply said that he found over 1000 ways NOT to build a lightbulb! He said “Many of life’s failures are people who didn’t realize how close they were to success when they gave up!”

When you want to achieve or accomplish something and you “fail”, it’s important to not change your goal, but change your approach, learn from it, and try again! We all experience set-backs and hit bumps in the road. Quitting whatever you set out to do is easy. Staying committed to a goal and seeing it through takes grit and determination… but man, is it worth it when you finish it! Failure isn’t a reason for you to stop, it’s to show you a way that didn’t work!

If it is your goal to get healthier, lose some weight, or get in better shape, make up your mind to be faithful in doing the things you need to do to reach your goals, stay committed, and focus on your WHY. Why do you want to be healthier? Maybe you want to be able to play with your grandkids, or simply be around longer for your family. Think about your why, stay focused on that, and just decide you’re not giving up! Make daily choices to do the things that will bring you closer to your goal! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… good news… you are not in this alone. When your strength runs out, God’s strength does not! In our weakness, He is strong!
2 Corinthians 12:9 says,”But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Whatever you are facing in your life, remember this…when you are weak, that’s when His power is made perfect! Don’t give up! Don’t quit! You’re not in this alone! When you feel like giving up, pray for God’s strength to uphold you. When you feel overwhelmed, know that He is working in your circumstances, even when you can’t see it, for your ultimate good! Even if you make mistakes, and we all do, don’t let yourself be controlled by negative feelings like self-doubt. Decide to get up, dust yourself off, and stand on the promise that when you are weak, then you are strong in Christ! It’s not glamorous, but real, personal growth in any area takes focus, dedication and determination. One thing I say to myself as I work on personal goals is this..”It’s amazing what happens if you just don’t quit!”

Action Step 21👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
We’ve talked a lot about setting personal goals. We are over halfway through with our 40 days of Faith and fitness.. if you haven’t set any goals for yourself, today it’s time to do just that. It’s time to set realistic, small-step, doable goals and take action! Keep your goals simple and in steps and you will set yourself up for success. Pray and rely on God’s strength and not just your own! When you are weak , He is strong!