I walked into the gym today about 7:30 AM to do an upper body workout. That consists of chest, shoulders, triceps...the muscles involved in bench pressing and overhead pressing. Okay okay! This is not a strength article. So I get to the gym and weigh myself on the electronic scale they have because its really accurate. I woke up feeling like poop, which happens more frequently than I care to admit since I've been laid off from my job. I guess I let things get me. No matter how strong and full faith and dependant on God I am...I still let stuff (life stuff) get to me. So when I step on the scale I weigh 243 pounds. Good grief! I haven't been that light in over a year! What's happening? I go to the gym to do my annual birthday feat of strength and nearly tear my bicep. I don't make my goal, and now this! For some of you who don't know me, my weight is a hot bed issue for me. Why? because a powerlifter 6 feet 2 inches should weigh at least 250. Now follow me here, my weight is more than an ego or vanity thing. When my weight is way down 5-7 pounds or more off of what it should be, something is very wrong. I use this as an indicator of my emotional and physical health. Lonnie + Skinny = bad! Very bad. So I am going to share some of what's going on my life while sharing my resolution to put a stop to it. If fact I'm not even going into details, I'm just going to wage a little war right now.....will you indulge me for a few minutes? 1. No More Worrying About Finances
I am sick and tired of being nervous about every nickel I spend. Yes God wants us to be thrifty, but He doesn't want us condemning ourselves if we have a Cheeseburger at Burger King when it wasn't "absolutely necessary." He's not going to withhold blessings because I ate meal out while I'm unemployed. That's how bad it has gotten. In my zeal to be thrifty in this lean time, I have stressed myself out over what I spend and driven everyone in my family nuts. No more! I give my finances to God, He owns it all anyway. I believe when Jesus said in Matthew 6 don't worry and that God would feed and clothe us like the "grass and lilies of the field" He meant it. I am not going to worry about how Jay's car is getting fixed. I'm not going to worry about the septic system getting pumped. I'm going to do my part, and give the rest to God. I'm going to be a responsible proactive adult, but worrying isn't part of the equation....not any more! 2. No More Stressing About What People Think
I am not going to run around wondering if people think I'm a bum because I'm going on 3 months unemployed. I have, and continue to apply for jobs. People who know me well, know exactly what my plans are. I'll keep on keeping on. God has just the right job for me. I got time, there is absolutely no need to panic....and I have been. So for me the panic stops....today! 3. No More Letting Depression and Anxiety Eat My Lunch
That fits in any category of worry I haven't already mentioned. I wake up every day with "terrible feelings of foreboding" as Joyce Myer calls them. The feeling that things are "not okay". The feeling that something bad is going to happen, that I may not have enough, or that something is always wrong are from the enemy, read that....Satan. I don't have an appetite, so I don't discipline myself to eat. I don't have an appetite because the emotions have killed it. Then there's the days I don't feel like leaving the house. Its hot outside, the grass is high and I just can't get motivated to cut it. I feel exhausted mentally and emotionally....No more! I'm not taking it anymore. Its war! I can't live like this. That's the crux of my sickening weight loss...."body by depression and anxiety!" Enough! I choose joy! I choose joy unspeakable and full of glory like the Bible teaches. 4. No More Getting Freaked Out When Stuff Breaks or Runs Out.
This includes tools, vehicles, appliances, food in the cupboard....all of it! No more stressing about the gas tank and how full or empty it is. No more eating teeny portions because I don't want to spend a lot at the store. God provides for my needs....period! No more worry, my Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. 5. No More Letting My Emotions Kill My Workouts
This overlaps with the paragraph on anxiety above, but bears repeating. No more letting my stress over my situation deplete my energy and strength to the point I don't train, or just train badly. My birthday feat debacle was due to stress. Stressing over stuff had my central nervous system (CNS) in shreds, and CNS is a main component to lifting successfully. If your CNS is fried you either don't lift heavy or you get injured....I almost did both. People I'm serious! I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. I sick of being satan's soccer ball. ...I set before you life and death, blessing or cursing, therefore choose life... Deut 30:19 I choose life! How about you? | 
