What’s your reasonable excuse?  We all make them.  We have all had them at some time or another.  What’s the reason you hide behind to keep you from pushing forward or from making that major change you have been putting off?  I am the first to admit, I have compiled a pretty hefty list of reasonable excuses for why I don’t lose weight.  Here are my top 3.  Excuse number 1)  I can’t work out cause of my torn herniated disk in my lower back.  2)  It’s hard to diet when I have to cook a different meal for the rest of the family.  3)  I don’t have time to go walking.  Now I just sit complaining how this outfit is too tight or how nothing fits when I go shopping.  I can sit and complain all I want but the bottom line is I have made not one but multiple reasonable excuses why I just…won’t…lose…weight.

Sometimes we compile a list of reasonable excuses for why we don’t change from our bad habits or for some, why we don’t seek God.  We can seriously sit there making up one excuse after another.  “Oh I just don’t have time for church.”  “Yeah…I’m not strong enough to quit smoking.”  “My job is too demanding and stressful which is why it’s so hard for me to quit drinking.”  “I have messed up too many times.  It’s just who I am.”  The excuses can go on and on but until we realize that all we are doing is making excuses, we will never make changes.  Change can be scary sometimes.  Feelings of weakness overpower our minds.  We are habitually attached to the idea of never being able to change.  Other times we create excuses for why we don’t go after that dream or why we keep from taking that next step in our relationships.  We allow the fear of the unknown to prevent us from seeking more and attaining it.

Life is full of uncertainties and it takes courage to step out in faith and believe in ourselves and trust in God.  We must create the visions in our minds of what we can attain and believe that there is nothing we can’t accomplish.  We must trust in God to give us what we need, when we need it to fulfill our goals and dreams.  We must stop making excuses, regardless of how reasonable they may seem to us, we must stop.  If I want to lose 25 pounds, I’m not going to lose them by eating the same way and not exercising.  I have to begin making changes, even small changes here and there to start seeing results.  It won’t happen overnight but with time and patience, the results will come.  As I continue on my spiritual journey with God, I see my daily changes and I continue to make mistakes.  But that’s what makes me human.  I’m not perfect.  Heck I’m far from perfect but I continue working on my changes, making time with God, putting aside what isn’t good for me and filling myself with what is.  Don’t give up so easily on yourself.  Believe in what you want and believe that you are strong enough, courageous enough and fearless and you will attain what your heart desires.  Every journey begins with one step.  You won’t get there overnight…be patient.

XOXO…Ileen

Psst…God Loves You

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on  that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”  Philippians 3:12