Hope And a Future

I have been spending a lot of time discussing why living a healthy lifestyle is important. I really want you to understand where I am coming from and why I am all in. When I changed my lifestyle to be health conscious, I had a lot of feelings of guilt. People would say “Good for you, but that is not for me” “How do you have time?” “I can’t get up early.” “My kids need me.” I felt like I was needing to defend my choice of living a healthy lifestyle. In my mind everyone’s comments were negative, whether they were actually meant for that purpose or not. I spent a lot of time thinking about why I think it is necessary to exercise and eat well. Was it my intention to get attention for my physique or were my motives pure health related. I know a lot of people who don’t exercise or eat well, they seem to be fine.
As I thought about the why, Jeremiah 29:11 popped into my head.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

God knows the plans he has for me. This is very exciting! I wish he would reveal all of these plans so I can precisely prepare. Unfortunately, that is not how God works. He instead makes promises and then gives us a general direction. It always seems very general in my case. But it comes down to us saying “yes” when he tells us to do something. Minute by Minute, day by day. How do you prepare for that?

First, you have faith in his promises. Second, you do your best at being prepared for whatever that “yes” might entail.
What came to my mind when I thought about this was, I have been promised hope and a future. I don’t want to get in the way of that future. I want to condition my mind and body to be strong no matter what lies ahead. That is why I exercise and eat well. Because I am preparing for the future I have been promised. This is the same reason my husband and I follow a budget and have savings.
I hope for a long life with my husband and children. I hope for calm days, enjoying each other’s love. But if that is not what is in the plans for my story. I feel overwhelmed as I know people my age being diagnosed and treated for cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain. Or what about high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, herniated discs- the list could go on. If disease is in my future then I want to be well prepared for whatever it is. So I will surrender every part of my life to God for his glory! I will treat my body well. I will strengthen and train it. I will feed it well. I will rest. All for my hope and future.

-Melissa