Reshaping It All: Chapter 4

Hi Friends! Ashleigh here.

Today we start our discussion on chapter 4 from Reshaping It All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness. We’re still talking about chapters 1, 2, and 3 — so keep those comments coming.

In chapter 4, Candace shares with us the five steps she uses to reach goals.

1. Envision your goal.
2. Formulate a plan.
3. Consider the gain.
4. Count the cost.
5. Do the necessary work to achieve it.

I love how practical these steps are, but I admit that I wasn’t able to relate to Candace as well in this chapter. Until now, we’ve shared much common ground – Jesus follower, wife, mom – but here I’m more acutely reminded of her “Hollywood upbringing,” for lack of a better term. For most of us, the hard work needed to earn the money for a SUV would be years, not months. So she lost me a bit with this. I wonder if perhaps a different story would have worked better here.

But, that aside, this is a great chapter.

My favorite part is when Candace addresses what I’ve heard others — such as Money Saving Mom’s Crystal Paine and author Arlene Pellicane — state: the importance of breaking big goals into what Mark Twain called “small manageable ones.” I’ve found this to be helpful in my own life – whether I apply it to keeping my house clean, taking care of a newborn, or meeting multiple writing deadlines.

Before I ask you to weigh in with your thoughts, let’s hear from Darlene.

Since chapter 4 is all about mapping out a “plan,” I hope that you were able to decide on one that you will stick to for life.

When mapping out mine, I consider this verse, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

Since God has given us life and the things that pertain to it, it’s OK to enjoy ourselves. The problem resides when we are controlled by those things we enjoy. Take chocolate brownies for instance. There’s nothing wrong with having a little piece every now and then, but if our appetite has control over us to the point where we can’t stop when we know we’ve had enough then our flesh is ruling our spirit. Not good.

Candace encourages us to choose a plan that includes an occasional treat, while our focus is on living a life of moderation that is pleasing to the Lord. This doesn’t mean that we all be a size two, in fact you might be a very healthy size twelve — that’s OK. But I do pray that all of us are seeking to reshape our bodies from the inside out, including an intimate relationship with the Lord.

Enjoy the journey, and until next time, live well!!

Blessings,
Darlene Schacht
www.timewarpwife.com

OK, here are the questions to start off our chapter 4 discussion:

• Were you able to relate to Candace in this chapter? Or, did you struggle, as I did?
• What goal do you hope to attain?
• What do you hope to gain by reading your goal?
• What is the cost?