Count it All Joy!

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1: 2-3

Hello my friends! I feel like it has been forever since I've written! 

I did post a new page to my blog last week, however, it wasn't an actual blog entry. I covered some of my favorite apps, so be sure to check it out!

So in my last blogged, I promised to give an update of my progress of my first month on my body, mind, and spirit makeover! 

The first month was definitely not without it's challenges, but I powered through it. And yes, I did have some bad days in there, but I didn't let those days get me down or discourage me. 

And you can't either!!

If you fall, you simply, "count it all joy" and get right back up!!!

So how did my first month go...I know you are dying to know...so I'll get on with it!!!

Body

When I first started this journey, I really didn't want to set any goals for the first month, because in the past, if I failed at something, I would give up. But after week one, I was down 3 pounds! To a lot of people, that may not sound like much, but for me, it was pure motivation. It was like something awakened in me, and I suddenly knew I could do this!!! So I increased my workouts and after week two, I had lost another 5 pounds! So I was now at a total of 8 pounds!!! 

Now you would think I had lost 20 pounds, because with my 8 pounds, you couldn't tell me anything!!! LOL! 

But by the middle of week three, that familiar feeling started to creep in. The feeling of pain and discomfort and depression. I began to get tired and fatigued. During this time, I also had an incident at the movies where I had to be rushed to the hospital. I think after that, my mood began to change. So week 3 was not so successful. 

By week four, I began to get more aware of the fact, that I had a doc appointment coming up and I wanted to prove to myself that I could put up a big number for the month. After week 2, I had set a goal of 16 pounds for the month. So I knew I had to get busy and "snap" out of my funk and get back on track. 

So on April 18, I went in for blood work and a weigh in! 

Boy was I nervous!

One thing I do when I go to the doctor is I wear the exact same thing every time (my doctor probably thinks I have no other clothes...tee hee hee)! I'm not saying you have to do this, but I do it because I feel like there will be no variations...just the weight! So after stepping on the scale, the nurse began to move the little slider...all I could think was...just don't let me have gained! Finally he rested on a number and after doing the math....I had lost 13 pounds!!!!!!!

Notice all the exclamation points....that's how happy I was!!!! 

Was I a little disappointed that I hadn't reached my goal...a little...but my hubby (my support) reminded me, of all my hard work and I was now 13 pounds lighter!! My hubby is the best!!! LOL!

So here I am, 13 pounds lighter, and I couldn't be happier! Yes, I still have a long way to go, but my weigh in just tells me that I can do it, and guess what....YOU CAN TOO!!!

Mind & Spirit

When I first started my blog, I informed everyone of some of my past struggles. Well all I can say is when you embark on a journey to overhaul your mind and spirit, the enemy really does go to work!! 

Serious battlefield of the mind!!! 

For me, the hardest lesson I am learning, is how to be joyful in the midst of pain and suffering. 

I read, "We are to consider what we are going through as a matter of joy, not because the thing itself is something that is pleasurable, but because tribulation works patience within us." So there is at least one good thing happening to us in the midst of pain and suffering! :)

I have learned in this month, that God has purpose, and that purpose is always good. We are able to count all things joy because we know God is working in all situations, even the most painful or stressful, for our sanctification and ultimate glorification. 

We have to look towards the future in order to take earthly afflictions and count them joyous. Sometimes as Christians, our hope is ridiculed in our day. The lost will sometimes mock those whose lives are characterized by hope. But we have to be able to look to our future, Heaven, to find joy that can soothe our troubles when our lives are filled with sorrow, grief and depression. We must base our joy on looking towards our inheritance that we will receive when we get to Heaven. I don't know about you, but keeping that in mind definitely makes me smile! 

But let's face it, sometimes it is hard to keep our focus on the future. We have to remember that our trials are only temporary.  I do forget sometimes for sure! It's so easy to be consumed by fear of the unknown, but we must remember to hold onto hope. What is hope? 

God is hope! 

To be able to count it all joy, we MUST trust God! We MUST trust in His plan for our lives. 

It has been a trying first month, but through perseverance and building new habits, I conquered it!!! 

My faith has grown so much in this first month! 

On March 1, 2014, my husband and I began a 40 day prayer with another couple. The objective was to pray together everyday for 40 days straight. I believe it was that closeness with not just my husband, but with God that I was able to endure the obstacles in the first month. Since it ended, my prayer life has increased, my relationship with Christ has grown leaps and bounds, and the Holy Spirit has shown me so much! My spiritual language has grown and I now feel in my mind, my body, and my spirit, that I can face any obstacle the enemy is going to try and throw at me and I CAN be victorious!!!

So that take that devil!!!! YOU LOSE!!!!

So going into this second month, I take with me a new found faith. A faith that I have never experienced before. A faith that tells me that whatever happens, I am NOT alone! I am encouraged. I am blessed. I am more than conqueror!

I look forward to all of the milestones I will reach this month. I look forward to my relationship with Christ growing even more! I look forward to all that God is going to do in my life and in all of your lives as well! I look forward to sharing my growth and experiences with you all!

I will be praying for success. 

When it gets tough, just remember, count it all joy, and keep pushing forward, because, this too shall pass!

Until next week, be blessed!

PS: I will be adding another page soon, where I will be posting my progression photos. So be sure to check back for that page! Also remember to submit your email address above to be notified of new blog posts!