We’ve arrived at the final aspect of this exploration. Faith has helped us in prayer, aided us in preparation, and now it assists us as we venture forth into daily life.
Start saying yes to the noble urgings of life. Step forward with God. Reenter the world with a clearer head and fresh perspective. There are obligations to meet and schedules to keep. Follow the flow of work and focus on what needs to be done. Start small and complete what you can. Sprinkle your day with humor and play. Be friendly with the people around you.
We are privileged to be partners with God in all that we do. Think with God as you go about your day. It feels good to know we don’t have to work alone. Continue to ask for help whenever you need it. You’re going to need that mysterious counsel and renewed strength. After making your own way through life for so long, it’s a relief to have a wise and reliable friend with whom to talk things over.
Keep moving on the path of life. We progress along the path through the decisions we make and the actions we take. As we walk through life with God, we learn to make decisions based upon love, and we learn to do his gracious will. Yet, even when we mean well, we will make plenty of mistakes along the way. Don’t let that get you down. With God, you can traverse safely through the challenges that lie ahead.
There are plenty of challenges to be encountered in the everyday world of work, play, and relationships. Our ordinary, recurring difficulties in these three realms can greatly exacerbate the temptation to overeat. For example, many of us avoid work by looking in the refrigerator or peering into the snack cupboard. We also misuse our well-earned breaks by grabbing a bag of chips, munching mindlessly with glazed eyes. When troubles rock our relationships, we search out comfort food. Life is full of such difficulties born of habitual and emotional responses. You may need to devote some of your prayer time to this. Offer these persistent problems to God and let in his wisdom and presence. Have faith that he will shine a light on the right place to begin solving them.
Apply some effort to the establishment of better habits about work, play, and relationships. You may have to rework your daily routine so that it suits your energy levels that predictably ebb and flow throughout the day. It’s likely you’ll need to find satisfying ways to relax besides watching television with a snack by your side. You may need to recognize and improve the typical ways you interact with people. Sometimes this involves refusing to accept the injurious ways other people may treat you. Effective habits regarding work, play, and relationships lessen daily stress and the tendency to engage in temptation. Best of all, good habits allow you to forget yourself and become fully engaged in life.
Our steps are made firm by the Lord,
when he delights in our way;
though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
for the Lord holds us by the hand.
Psalm 37:23
