Healthy living starts today

Born fifth of nine children, with three older brothers, one older sister, three younger brothers, and one younger sister, I had elders to emulate and younger ones to set an example for. My parents were amazing, leading by tremendous faith. Faith, family, and honesty were their foundational principles.

Despite knowing these truths, I was drawn to the desires of the 1960s and 70s. "If it feels good, do it." "You're not hurting anyone, it's okay." "Take the easy road." I was taught temperance, but I wanted more, believing that more was the answer. This mindset led to overindulgence in almost everything. Fooled by this mentality, I indulged in every pleasure imaginable for most of my life, taking family and friends down a path of destruction with me.

How could I have been so wrong? Gluttonous behavior is sinful behavior. Sinful behavior can only be temporarily satisfied by more sinful behavior, but the thirst returns stronger each time. How many family members and friends did I lead astray? How many lives were cut short because of my example? The answer was deafening.

I needed to change. God never gave up on me. When I asked Him for help, He was there, and the chains I thought unbreakable were shattered. I was freed from the sinful behaviors that were destroying me and everyone I touched—family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers. How could I have been so blind? When vices are cast aside, a hole remains that needs to be filled, or it will be backfilled with stronger vices. I needed to fill my God-shaped hole.

Faith gave me hope, and hope gave me strength. I needed restoration. Successful restoration begins with a thorough investigation. Failure to identify all the weaknesses in the foundation is a recipe for failure. Honest self-evaluation is neither fun nor fast. Done correctly, it shakes you to your core. It did for me! I was not the person I thought I was. Driven by selfish desires and fueled by pride, I almost always reflected my problems outwardly. A victim mentality will never produce joy. It is life imprisonment, producing bitterness and negativity. Only by accepting responsibility for our failures, our sins, and our circumstances can we begin a complete restoration, starting with the end in mind. Who did my Creator create me to be? Don't expect quick answers. The only answer I got was "not me." Humbled by this and by the fact that it took me sixty years to see what everyone else saw all along, I was convicted. I'm still selfish, self-centered, and self-indulgent, but I am learning to recognize these and other faults as near occasions of sin and the rotten fruit they always produce.

Begin every day by reflecting on the past twenty-four hours. I ask my Creator to show me what I did right, what I did for those I love, for the sick, the poor, the lonely, the homebound. What thoughts did I entertain in my mind and heart? Which thoughts brought me joy, and which poisoned me? I ask for forgiveness for all the areas where I fell short. I ask the Holy Spirit to remove the scales from my eyes so I may see those in need. Open my ears so I may hear their cries. Soften my heart so I may be moved with compassion. Lord Jesus Christ, help us to see as You see, feel as You feel, and act as You act. Lord Jesus Christ, make us like You. Help me live out this day in a way that is pleasing to the Father, through the Son, and by the power of the Holy Spirit.