When it all falls apart...

​What do you do when it all falls apart? Have you ever noticed how you can be consistently practicing the daily routines and habits that are taking you in a positive direction and, in what seems like just a moment, it all falls apart leaving you to ask yourself the question, “How did I get here?”

Image by Sarah Kilian on Unsplash.com

Welcome to life under the sun! Whatever God-given goal we are trying to reach - health-related or otherwise - we’ve all been there.

"How did I get here?"

Recently, I found myself asking myself that question. I had a structured plan that contained habits and routines that were leading me, ever so slowly, towards my God-given goals. And then...it all fell apart.
 
As much as I would like to think that the derailing of my progress came on suddenly and was out of my control, as I reflect on the situation, I see that it was coming all along. I wasn’t paying attention.
 
I’ve discovered that when I get derailed from my God given goals by abandoning the habits and routines that I’ve put in place to keep me in track, it is usually associated with one of the following experiences:
 
Demands - Sometimes I just want to have a win! Commitments with a clear finish line shout loudly and create a sense of urgency that overshadows the quietness of the small and simple habits and routines that must be practiced day in and day out, without ceasing, in order to reach a goal.
 
Distractions - Sometimes I just want to have fun! Activities that feed my unspoken passions, pleasures, and pursuits often feel more fulfilling and rewarding than the long haul of taking one small step at a time toward the achievement of a goal that seems far off and may look very different than I had envisioned.
 
Disappointments - Sometimes I just want things to go my way! Investing in things that seem to produce instant spiritual fruit and worldly fulfillment are especially tempting when the long and slow journey toward my goals is filled with unmet desires and expectations. 

When you hear yourself saying,
“It should not be this hard.”
“It should not take this long.”
“It should not be this monotonous”

Pay attention! You are in danger of being thrown off track if you have not wandered off track already.
 
Thankfully, God knows that His children sometimes get derailed. In Revelation 2, He offers a remedy for the derailed.

Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first...
Revelation 2:5 (NIV)

Repent - Consider how far you have fallen! 
Truth is, I often prefer to spend my time doing activities that are easy, exciting and guarantee expedited and expected results! Sometimes I want to create my own path to fulfillment rather than trusting and following the path of the abundant life that God has already created for me to follow.
 
Return - Do the things you did at first...
Truth is, I often procrastinate returning to God because I make it more complicated than it really is. God’s instructions for returning are simple - do the things that you did before. No new or more innovative plan is required. 

Good Health for Good Works Challenge:
Consider these questions:
Where are you today?

• As you picture yourself walking on the path God has set out for you, is everything on track or has it all fallen apart?

Do you need to repent of abandoning the habits and routines needed to stay on the path?

• What misguided beliefs led you there?
• What is the truth?

Do you need to return to the routines and habits that are part of God’s path for you?

• What is one habit or routine that you did when you were on the right path that you could start doing again?
• Will you do that thing this week without making it more complicated than it really is?

Do you need some encouragement?
If you need to repent and return, remember this - God is your loving Father. He’s not against feelings of satisfaction, having fun, or fulfilled desires. Ask Him to show you His goodness and provide you with the encouragement you need as you commit to return to and stay on His chosen path for you.