No More Sticking My Head in the Sand!

Contrary to popular belief, Ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand when they fear danger. They flop down and stay close to the ground, but metaphorically speaking, we has humans have a way of burying our heads in the sand. I know because that’s what I’ve been doing for some time now.

Recently I ordered a bathroom scale from Amazon.com. It’s been long overdue, but for the past several years I just couldn’t bring myself to purchase one. Why? Well, for starters I kept convincing myself that though I am overweight I don’t need to know how much, until after I’ve lost weight. Sounds sort of wonky doesn’t it?  Truthfully it was a way of burying my head in the sand about the truth. The truth of how much do I weigh and how much do I need to lose?

There was an underline fear that if I knew the truth, it would crush me. Of course this is not making much sense, but then again “fear” can have that affect on you. And since I chose to bury my head in the sand about it, over the years I’ve never really gotten but so far in making effective change in this area of my life. 

 “If God is for us, who can be against us?” is a favorite scripture, often quoted as a reminder when something or someone has come up against us. But when you sit down and think about it—it also pertains to us—because often we can be the one against us.

It is God’s desire for us to be the best we can be, so why do we allow fear to hinder us from being our best? Why do we allow fear to play such a major role in our lives, if God is for us? Bottom line—we have what we allow. Sticking our heads in the sand gives fear a place—and the more we pretend it isn’t there the bigger root it can take.

I used to think of myself as being pretty fearless and when I was younger I’m sure I was. And where I find myself today didn’t happen overnight. No! It was a slow walk. Disappointment and failures over the years have somehow eaten away at my youthful fearlessness. I allowed the loud voices of this distracting world, to become louder and more prominent than that of God’s. That’s the bad news! But the good news is…I’m taking the bull by the horns and looking my fear in the eyes and head on! It is the only way to move forward and leave trepidation behind!

Reading books by others who walk with the Lord can help us in many ways, but there are times we really just need to hanker down with the Bible and read as much and as often as we can. Here is where we are going to hear more from God about ourselves. When the Holy Spirit shines a light on you, it is virtually impossible to have a blind eye to what He is revealing. But that is not the only thing we will gain when we spend time with God…we will be encouraged and fortified in our faith, which enables us to rise up out of our messes with renewed strength!

Okay, let’s get back to the bathroom scale. By the time you get to read this blog, I should have it in my possession and the yoga outfits I found for next to nothing. I also have a tape measure that turns blood red after 35” on your waist measurement, which I have not used once in the past 10 or so years I’ve owned it. Well, my dear sisters, I am going to get on that scale and weigh myself, measure my waist, thighs, breasts, hips and forearms. I will take a selfie in my yoga clothes (doubt it will be a pretty sight), a close up of my face and write everything down. I might even cry a little bit—who knows. But it will all be a huge step in facing my fears and moving forward to a better me—knowing that God is for me!

The older I get the more I find the need to write things down, especially on a daily bases.  If not, the day has a way of slipping away without having much to show for it. This is why I’m writing down my progress by inches and pounds. My goal is to lose weight every week. No, I don’t have a specific number, but losing means not gaining—no matter how small the loss.

How did God make our bodies to lose weight? By watching our calorie intake, eating plenty of raw foods (fruit and uncooked veggies) good fats and natural sugars—laying off processed and junk foods. Drinking plenty of water and exercise! I do have a plan—it’s called, one-day-at-a-time. I’m sure I will have days I do great! I’ll have some that are pretty good; others will be just okay and a few where I totally miss the mark! But to me, that’s living life to the fullest! It’s a very healthy way of achieving a new lifestyle with an abundance of grace for me.

Sisters, we all struggle with some type of fear (a mistrust of God) and for some of us, we have been burying our heads in the sand for way too long. Things will never change for the better as long as we pretend our problems are not there. Spend time with God and lay your fears out before Him and watch what He does with them. Amen!

Next week I share a huge step I've taken to change my life forever while I am on this earth! Be sure to tune in.

Until next week!

Blessings and Hugs......Ponnie