Not So Simple

This post is by Jen Shultz.

Habit. That one word has been so daunting for me in the last decade. The world has been chaotic. My life, specifically my health, has been chaotic. How is one supposed to build and attempt to evolve in a hurricane? A better question is why would we not? When those winds of change provide even a partially clean slate, let's pounce on that opportunity to rebuild into better versions of ourselves. Sounds simple enough, right?

Obviously, when faced with a challenge I respond with sarcasm to hide the anxiety that starts to creep into my thoughts at the idea of change. I do not know why I am afraid of creating or updating a routine that only makes me better. Nonetheless, the creep happens. It tells me I am not healthy enough. It tells me I am not strong enough. It tells me that I am not worthy of improvement. What it does not know is that I have overcome more than my share of obstacles to even be sitting here writing about this. It doesn’t know my character. It doesn’t know my grit and tenacity. It certainly doesn’t know my God.

‘Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9

You see, when you know where to draw your strength from, the creep doesn’t get a say. We are able to stand confidently in the chaos and know that as much as the enemy tries, he cannot knock us off course. Once that is figured that out, friend, we can stand with steady footing on the Rock of Ages. That vantage point of hind’s feet in high places allows us to take stock of our habits and determine what we need to rebuild and what should stay in the rubble. Once we step forward into this strength that fills in our weak spots, what a force we become. 

From there, we move into a place of creation—of habits, of a better version of ourselves, and of a more beautiful and balanced life. It will not be instantaneous by any stretch of the imagination, but keep showing up. Show up on the days it is easy. Show up on the days it seems impossible. Show up on the days you got a late start or the day after you were supposed to because you forgot. Show up and lose the guilt. Replace it with being worthy of a better body—mind—spirit. Keep showing up for yourself and for the calling the Lord is putting into your life. When I am reminded of that, it still does not seem simple, but it does seem important enough for me to put forth the effort. I bet if you look at it in your own frame of reference you will find the same to be true. 

You are worthy. You are enough. You are His. 

Jen is a small town, Oklahoma girl married to a superhero. Together, they are raising a family on second chances, shiplap, and a shoestring. She is a firm believer in grace, organization, and efficiency. She finds great satisfaction in taking broken items and giving them new life, likely because that is exactly what God did for her. She over uses the word shine, exclamation points, and emojis. A natural born encourager and armchair warrior, she is learning to redefine her mission field and make the most of each day she is given. She has recently been promoted from breast cancer warrior to breast cancer survivor. She’s chronically ill and chronically positive- not necessarily in that order. She is learning to practice perseverance over perfection and longs for the day she gets to see her grandparents and Jesus’ face. Until then, she is just looking for Grace in the Grind.

Photo by Jason Gardner on Unsplash