Do you know one of the top questions Google gets asked every month?
It isn’t a surprise and it is question most of us would like an easy answer.
How to lose weight fast?
Bonus version of the same question: How to lose weight fast without exercising? Some of you have learned to hack Google 😊
Of course, I googled it too.
I would guess most of us wouldn’t mind dropping anywhere from 5 to 50lbs. We want to do it for our health, so we will feel better, and look better.
Also, it wouldn’t hurt if other people noticed. If we are going to all the trouble, it would be nice if other people appreciated it too.
There is no way to process all the answers google gave. At the top of the list were weight loss drugs like Wegovy, Saxenda, and Mounjaro.
Next was cosmetic surgery and body sculpting. I must admit I don’t know what body sculpting is, sounds painful. Turns out it is less involved than surgery.
Then came some of the less expensive options. Sign up with Red Mountain Weight loss, try intermittent fasting, and cut out all sugary drinks (soda, coffee drinks, most sports drinks etc)
It is ironic this question is so frequently googled….because we already know the answer. We just don’t like the answer.
I am aware there are all kinds of unique medical considerations when it comes to a person’s health, dietary restrictions, and metabolism. I also know the basics, so do you.
In general, if you want to lose weight eat better foods (not processed, sugar filled, and fried), eat less food (smaller portions), and be more physically active (you have to sweat some).
It works almost every time for almost every person. But it is slow, habits are hard to change, and feels like someone stole some of your too scarce fun.
I started thinking about how this is true with most aspects of life. There are legitimately things we don’t know and need to learn. Everyone of us has blind spots holding us back. The best thing to do is take what we know and ask for help with what we need to learn.
For the most part though, we already know the answer to most of the big areas of life.
Again, not saying we like the answer, but when it comes to health, money, work, family, and relationships we know the right answers. But it is so tempting to look for a short cut, there must be something easier, faster, and more convenient.
I want you to be successful in every area of your life. I want you to be a financial wizard, a relationships ninja, and the picture of health. As much as I want success for you, I want you to be successful most when it comes to your spiritual life.
I figured out (you probably did too) there is a keystone habit for life. For example, you can be a financial wizard but that doesn’t mean you will be physically healthy. You may look like you walked off the cover of Health and Fitness magazine but that doesn’t
mean you are good at relationships.
Success in one of these areas does not automatically make you successful in the other areas.
With one exception.
When you are successful spiritually…it is a keystone habit that spring boards you in to success in every other area of life. God made you that way.
When you connect with God and intentionally invest in developing your relationship with God there are incredible effects across all of life. Following Jesus makes your life better and following Jesus makes you better at life.
A spiritually successful version of you will be better at relationships, better at finances, and better at health. I have seen it happen in hundreds of people’s lives. It will happen in yours as well.
What does it take for you to be spiritually successful?
Are there changes you would need to make to move forward?
When you are successful spiritually…it is a keystone habit that spring boards you to success in every other area of life. God made you that way.
Again, you know most of the answers. If you want to move forward in your finances, health, or relationships of course you must change some things. The same is true spiritually.
In case you aren’t sure how to be successful spiritually, Colossians 5:1-5 gives a short but powerful answer.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
Simply put, start dreaming of and aspiring to the things that are most meaningful. Set you mind on the things God cares about. Stop worrying about your image, legacy, and future…put them in God’s hands. Then kill anything in your old life pulling you away from Jesus.
Easier said than done!
People have been doing the work of resetting their hearts and minds for centuries.
The good news is they identified some ways that work almost every time. Some eat less, eat better, be more active kinds of ways.
Do you want to re-wire you heart and mind? Read the Bible, memorize God’s word. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR BRAIN. When your brain changes, the way think and the decisions you make will change as well.
Do you want a more relaxed and un-anxious presence? Pray, talk to God and He will align your heart with His.
Do you want to kill greed and selfishness? Give generously. It will destroy the hold money has on you.
Do you want to build self-control? Practice fasting. Giving up food or some other basic of life for a time period clears your mind and allows self-control, which is one of the fruits of the Spirit.
Hard. Truth. Alert.
Finding spiritual success in your life will require effort and engaging some unfamiliar and even uncomfortable things. It is worth it.
I know that you know most of the answers. Put what you know into practice!
When you come against something you don’t know…this is so beautiful….you are part of a gathering of Jesus followers who love and help each other (the short description is a church); so ask for help.
Have conversations like: How are you renewing your mind? Have you ever tried fasting, what happened? What are you reading in the Bible right now? What is a verse so powerful you had to memorize it?
The answers will both encourage and challenge you.
The practices do take time and effort but we are not doing this alone. There is a great gathering of Jesus followers doing this with you and together we can connect with God.
Living spiritually successful lives we find all of life is better when it is lived connected with Jesus and each other.
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