Did you know that it’s a proven fact that most of us need to hear something at least five times before we realize that it may apply to our own lives?  When I first heard that it gave me hope because I know that I am someone who does not receive and apply every single truth to my life immediately.  I don’t believe anyone does.  That is why I will be going over the single most important concept in our daily walk with the Lord often this year.

What is that concept?  Walking in the daily guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.  If you are one of those people who do not believe you hear clearly from God, this is a great way to learn.  I have said often on both of my blogs that I run under the direction of the Holy Spirit.  I don’t use an app or listen to music when I run…..I listen for His still small voice.  My third anniversary of running consistently will be in March and I know my consistency is due to not running because I have to.  I am also not trying for a certain man-made goal (i.e., how to do a 5k in 2 weeks, etc) that will frustrate me because my body isn’t made like someone else’s.  I am running because God told me to and directs each run individually.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

The Spirit of the Lord is the place where you will find your freedom, not your drudgery! Asking God what you are to eat and how you are to exercise daily (or not exercise daily) is total freedom! Like any other activity, you will grow gradually and then excel in being guided by God from showing up daily and participating. God really does want to be your partner in everything, not just the big stuff.

I get sad when I realize that more people take stock in what Dr. Oz has to say than how God is directing them. Don’t get me wrong, I honor the man for what he does, but I jokingly refer to him as the great and powerful Oz because it seems like if he says something, everyone jumps on his bandwagon. I don’t know about you, but my body is uniquely created by God and if I try to fit it into a cookie cutter pattern of the latest news, It doesn’t work! In fact, I feel sick if I don’t eat meat almost everyday and I am perfectly okay with that. My blood pressure literally drops to my toes when I don’t eat enough salt and I am okay with that too!

I want to end today with a portion of scripture that can be applied to our overall health.

Isaiah 61: 1-4 (NRSV)

61 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
    to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and release to the prisoners;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
    to comfort all who mourn;
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
    the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins,
    they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
    the devastations of many generations.

God’s spirit will free you from all of your oppression (including food and exercise bondage) and comfort you, release you from your captivity and mourning over your years of this self-imposed prison.  Then He will build you back up and make you like an oak of righteousness.

I would love to hear from you.  What unique ways do you follow the Holy Spirits voice?

Have you found that there are certain foods you must eat/must not eat regardless of what the experts have spoken?

Be blessed