Lifestyle
(noun) - the typical way of life of an individual, group, or culture (Merriam-Webster.com)
When it comes to living a disciplined lifestyle, does it bring to mind the word “diet?” Or maybe “traditions?” How about “extreme?”
I’ve struggled with what to write for this next piece in my “Discipline” series. As I’ve brainstormed, the word “lifestyle” keeps coming to mind. I feel as though once you’ve decided to look at discipline as a gift instead of a consequence and then start working on choosing a mindset that reflects that discipline the next step is to do the hard/heart work of aligning your lifestyle with that disciplined mindset.
I’ve learned that this process absolutely needs. to be.SIMPLE. Especially as the new year dawns, as the influx of goals and resolutions are being shared, deciding what we want our lifestyles to look like is where we need to start.
What is weighing heavy on your heart to adjust? Indeed, look back and think on what did not work over the past year and decide to try something new.
In what ways can you strengthen your relationships in a way that is plausible? There are so many wonderful ideas and loads of advice, but if we don’t allow for the grace of different situations and environments, then that advice often feels like another burden we are doomed to fail at carrying.
We’ve all heard that it takes 21 days to form a good habit, I would add that within that time frame we can also determine if this new habit is life-giving in our circumstances or if we’ve bitten off more than we can chew…so to speak.
For example, I prefer working out in the mornings AND I like to start my day in the Word as well. However, with our morning timelines being significantly short due to the drive to school, I struggle to wake up and fit this all in. Trust me I’ve tried - 4:30 AM is really freaking early. This is just not sustainable for me. Looking over my daily timelines I’ve needed to decide when/where do I have open time to use for one or the other of these things.
This is a learning, ebb and flow of a process. That is why we allow grace into our lives. Life is a consistent work in progress. We need to acknowledge that nothing will ever be perfect outside of eternity with Jesus AND yet, we can use this time on earth to work at becoming better versions of ourselves to bring Him glory through the hard, heart work of a thriving lifestyle.
How does this work?
“Prayer first. Every time and I dare you to be honest.”
Prayer first. Every time and I dare you to be honest *wink*. Then, one decision at a time that leads you towards that lifestyle you are holding onto hope for.
Some times there may be a decision made that doesn’t quite lead the way you had imagined, but that is when grace gets to step in. One of my very favorite things about my walk with Jesus is the amazing community He has placed me in - our church family has been my second biggest evidence of grace. (the first is the grace of my husband and boys that is extend when my emotions try to takeover) When there are people that I can lean into for support and accountability the process of progress does not seem quite as daunting - guess what, we are not in this alone!
And the miracle of grace is the opportunity to extend back that same concept to those in our community when they are in need as well.
Whether you’re reading this at the New Year or 6 months from then, a lifestyle change doesn’t need a date in order to gain ground and take off. When we choose discipline and shift our mindset toward a much needed change, our lifestyle will speak for itself - whether that’s a change in food or drink, a new hobby or even taking something out of our current lifestyle. Any change made in the hope for a better version of ourselves can bring glory to our Savior who will always be our source of strength.
