Written by The early results for this month’s nutrition experiment are looking good. Since January 1st, I’m down 6.5 pounds. There’s also some subtle measurement drops, most notably an entire inch of moobs. Beyond that, the spots of seborrhic dermatitis appear to be clearing up, but I’d say it’s too early to put it in the win column because I’ve had other times of it improving without trying anything. Meanwhile, I had some thoughts:
On day one of any change in diet, I’ve always had the same experience thinking:
- “There’s nothing to eat around here!”
- “This is stupid.”
- “This is too restrictive.”
- “But, I don’t want to not have alcohol, or sugar, or (whatever I’m cutting out)
Then I start to justify why I should have the things I’m cutting out:
- “It’s not that big of a deal.”
- “I can handle it.”
- “What difference does it make anyway?”
Then I remember why:
- “I’m doing this to improve my health.”
- “I’m doing this to take care of my body.”
- “I’m doing this to be effective and strong.”
This nutrition experiment is no different. I had the same thoughts, justifications, and realizations. This time, however, as I searched the refrigerator to find something to eat that would match my new nutritional mindset, I thought about something different:
This is similar to what people go through when they make a decision for Jesus. Facing a changed life, there are thoughts about “Really? Never again?” and “But I like getting hammered with my friends” and justifications like “It’s just sex” and “A little hit of weed just keeps me sane” and the remembering whys like “I’m choosing to change out of heart of gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice for me.”
Outsiders might call my way of eating too restrictive, and they might say the same about my faith. I choose to look at it in terms of freedom. I have absolute freedom to choose my actions, whether it’s how I eat or how I choose to act in relationship to my faith in Christ.
