Real girls sweat too.

Many of you know that I started a "take care of yourself" regimen on October 15th after I returned from my annual Women of Witness Intensive. This regimen includes a 10 day cleanse, and then eating every 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours and then adding exercise once you are in the swing of things. I have been doing great on the program losing just over 15 lbs and 21 inches. I had more difficulty adding the gym due to my busy schedule. However, for the last 3 weeks I have faithfully been able to participate in a Spin Class. It has literally been an uphill climb. (pun intended) However, I am please to announce between Advocare and Spin classes I am changing my body and my mind. I have more energy and I sweat more. Yes, sweat more. Now before you close your laptop, or turn off your phone, hang with me. I was talking to God and He said, "I sweat too." 

Luke 22:42 (NIV) "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly,
and his sweat was like drops
of blood falling to the ground."

In no way am I comparing what Jesus did with a workout class. No that's not it at all. What I was hearing is a confirmation of the word of God. God created us in His image, both male and female He created He them. (Genesis 2:27) God was just sharing with me that as His created being, I am like God. That I don't need to be embarrassed or ashamed because I am a sweaty mess, and a further thought is I am not working our nearly as hard as He did, to save me from my sins. One of those sins being, gluttony, laziness, not taking proper care of my temple. Sweating it not as much about how hard I worked in class, but how hard Jesus worked while on earth to insure I could even be here and enjoying my life.

Today, is the last day of my 21 Day Fast that our church does every year. I have enjoyed it so much. No, not the Daniel eating or the juice fasting, but hearing from our Father so clearly about every little thing. It seems He is engaged in constant conversation with me, opening up more details about our similarities and our differences. God loves us and He longs to go everywhere and do everything with us. Truly He is a friend. I love this video below, it talks about coming alive and getting stronger. When we converse with God on a daily basis and He becomes our everything this it what happens to our mortal bodies, they become more like Him.

ACTION STEP: Think about doing something that brings you back into the image of God. Do something that makes you stronger. Challenge yourself. Tell yourself what to do, down to what you eat or choose not to eat. Quiet your flesh with a fast. If you have never fasted before, try just three days. Then, you can work up over the years from there, to a ten day, to a fourteen day, and/or then to a twenty one day. You will be amazed at the things God talks to you about. I was. 

Joel 2:12 (NIV) "“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”