I was working out at my gym and I read this sign. It inspired some confidence, except I felt like something was missing.
Oh yah. Something is missing – the “e.” At first glance you could miss it and your mind might fill in the blank. However, whether you notice the missing “e” or not there is something unsettling about it. The message of the sign is not congruent with the sign itself. Something is off, and it just doesn’t click.
When we are struggling to make our health dream a reality we may experience the unsettling feeling that something is missing. Much like this sign, we need to find our “missing e.”
Feel like something is missing? Not clicking? Here are 3 steps for finding the missing piece to your wellness journey so you can achieve your healthiest life.
1) Pray
Is there something you need to know or learn about? Ask God to show you. Do you have a blind spot you need to clear up? Ask God to reveal it to you. Do you need the strength to follow new, healthy paths with intention? Ask God for power. Are you missing something? Ask God to provide it. Don’t have the willingness to change? Pray for willingness even though you don’t have it. Whether you know or don’t know what your “missing e” is, ask God for help. The truth is, He loves helping us!
Proverbs 2: 1-11 provides us with this wonderful promise “Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you…if you make Insight your priority, and won’t take no for an answer, Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God. And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding. He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones. (The Message)
Ever think “oh God won’t want to hear from me again.” The Bible says He does want to hear from you again… and again… so He can help you and love you! So ask away… and ask again and ask and after that. Don’t stop asking and praying. He can help, and He wants to help YOU.
2) Be open to the truth about yourself… and be open to change
In John 8:31-32 Jesus says, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NLT)
When we pray and God shows us a truth about ourselves, we need to be open to making changes if necessary. We grow strong and blessed when God teaches us wisdom AND we respond with obedience. This is where freedom lies: knowing the truth AND living by the truth we know.
3) Get support
Telling a confidential, encouraging and supportive friend what we are learning about ourselves is vital to authentic, permanent change. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (NIV)
When we vocalize what we are going through to a true friend, we double our power to change. Why? Because, just like that, there are two people (our self and our friend) encouraging us to pray and press forward to a healthier life. We know someone else cares and this adds to our self esteem and accountability. Bonus: scripture says that when we tell someone else when we’ve made a mistake and want to be changed, they can pray for us “so that we may be healed.” WOW! If you’re looking to be healed, get out of isolation, and find someone to talk to and pray with. God uses strong relationships to help us change and heal.
Can’t find your missing “e?” Persevere. Invite God and a friend into your search. God will finish His work in you, so you will not be missing anything.
James 1:4 “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)
Oh the sweet “click” of completion!
Questions for reflection during your prayer time with the Lord:
Ask God what you can do to be healthy today.
Ask yourself: Do I believe God wants me to be healthy? Why or why not? What does the Bible say about this. (See: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Ask God if there is anything you are missing to achieve your healthiest life.
If something comes to mind, write it down. Pray about what to do next.
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13
Include a friend in your journey, and watch what God will do as you obey His Word.
This is Day 6 in “Eating Through the Proverbs,” a Bible study about food, by Julia Fikse, Functional Medicine Health Coach ©2019.
