AN ENCOURAGING EXHORTATION

Therefore strengthen your 

limp hands and weak knees. 

Make straight paths for 

your feet, so that the lame 

may not be disabled, but 

rather healed.

(Hebrews 12:12-13, BSB)  

Some days I feel weary, discouraged, and overwhelmed. But that's okay. So did Moses, Elijah, and King David, to name a few.

One of the things that discourages me the most is that I can no longer do some of the things I took for granted--like being able to just get in my car and drive myself to a scenic place or to visit friends who live more than an hour, tops, away, or go for walks with my camera. 

Some of it is my own fault because I keep neglecting my body. Exercise should be at the top of my list of priorities, but instead, it keeps getting put on the back burner, and I keep procrastinating and making excuses. As a result, my back is deteriorating fast. 

And there's also no good excuse for not getting out and walking, even though I can't do it as I did before, because I do have a rollator, which is just gathering dust in my car.

Anyway, all that to say, the above verse and devotion in my Streams In The Desert devotional this morning practically jumped off the page at me. I think--no, I'm sure--it was a very timely word for me.

The message (personalized) was that God really is ready to heal my physical issues if I would be consistent in my efforts to exert myself and get moving. No more one day on and four days off. It's time to stop making excuses and just DO IT!!! Even if I don't feel as though I can. I need to remind myself that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and not be looking for an easy fix.

The devotion went on to exhort me to march "through the flood" and the waters will part as the Lord leads me through to victory. But it's up to me to start marching if I want my body to be healed and my faith strengthened.

Move straight ahead, it exhorted me. Pay as little attention to discouragement as possible, and "plow ahead like a steamship, which moves forward whether facing rough or smooth seas." Leave no place unconquered behind you where Satan can boast of having overwhelmed you.

Abba, Father, please work in me to give me the willingness, commitment, and strength to follow through on this commitment to regular, consistent exercise that I am making today, and may the results glorify your Name and be a testimony that encourages others in the same place I was, and gives them hope. In Jesus' Name. Amen!