We are not failures

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:5-8).

We are not failures. So many times in life things come up that make us feel like that. I felt like that when I was trying to do the Ultimate Reset with my husband. It was for 21 days, very strict eating with a menu plan. On the meal plan we could not have any bread and we had to be total vegan. For my husband, that was hard. Once we entered into phase 2 he was really wanting a change in food and started wanting those things he couldn’t have. I was preparing all the food according to the menu, so I personally started taking the stress of how he was feeling upon myself. Next I started listening to my body and thinking you know what, I’m done with eating this menu, I want something different. Then I started to give in and say okay you can eat this… The next morning I woke up feeling like a complete failure because I was his coach and I gave in. Of course that started taking my thoughts into other areas and the next thing I know, I’m thinking I’m a failure in every area. Thankfully I when I wake up, I spend time with the Lord. So as all these thoughts were bombarding my head, I was able to turn to the Lord with them. I looked over at my vision board and I have written “I have the Living God inside of me, therefore I am a success”

The Lord reminded me of one of the main things I’ve been teaching in “Our Body Is A Temple” devotions in our challenge group. We ARE a spirit, we HAVE a soul and we LIVE in a body. That means our spirit is what rules and reigns, not our flesh. Our spirit is reborn, our flesh is not. Therefore we listen to the Holy Spirit about what foods to eat and our workouts. Sometimes we have to discipline our flesh and it screams and yells at us. I know that our bodies always “crave” the very foods that is bad for us. For example if your Flora is out of balance, you probably are dealing with Candida and your flesh is crying out for some bread or something sweet. The very thing that the Candida feeds on. In return, you feel bloated and icky and are dealing with brain fog.

So thinking and praying on these lines of our spirits reigning instead of our flesh, the Lord showed me how Jesus was the ultimate example of disciplining the flesh. When he fasted for 40 days, now that was discipline! I know when I have fasted for 3 days, that was hard. Imagine 40 days! But he did it, because He let his spirit be in control and His spirit knew how important that fast was. Now talk about the Ultimate discipline the flesh that was going to the cross. Think about it! Mark 14:32 He was in the garden asking the Lord if possible to let it pass from him, to take the cup from him. But be it the Father’s will not his will. In verse 38 he said “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He was disciplining the flesh for what was to come. He had to discipline his flesh to take the stripes upon his back. He had to discipline his flesh to die upon that cross. Many times during the entire experience, he had to discipline his flesh. He did it all for us!! So that we may be free, so that our spirit’s could be reborn new in him. Where would we be if he didn’t discipline His flesh. Oh how thankful I am that he disciplined his flesh. If Jesus can do that for all mankind, I think we can discipline our flesh for him in the areas He is speaking to us about. Our body is a temple for him. I believe we can keep our bodies healthy and strong for him. We can read our bible and spend some time in prayer with him every day. Be spirit minded, remember you are a spirit, you have a soul and you live in a body. Let your spirit that is born anew tell your body what to do. So if your feeling like a failure, remember you are victorious in christ. Look at it this way, you don’t fail, you fall forward. You learn from what you did and pick up and keep going. The Lord helps us to be a success. He helps us discipline our bodies in whatever areas we need so we can be a success. Look at all the success Jesus accomplished by discipline. He knows what it takes and he helps us to be a success.