If you are human, you have struggled with consistency in some area of your life. I’m not really sure why it is so hard.
But. It. Is.
For example, have you ever worked hard to be consistent with eating right and exercising? Did you notice after a consistent period of time in both of these areas how good you felt about your accomplishment? You had proof that being consistent with how you ate and exercised yielded positive results. And yet…eventually you regressed. A few chips here, a little candy there, and maybe just ONE Whataburger (I live in Texas). Consistency cratered. As a result, you began to feel sluggish again, frustrated with yourself, and annoyed that those pants you love were getting tight again.
Consistency is a struggle. Inconsistency seems to prevail. As a result it becomes difficult to reach a place of victory. Defeat eventually rules, and defeat can be demoralizing.
I’ve been talking about diet and exercise (physical fitness), but I really want to talk about spiritual fitness. While the right foods and regular exercise can fuel our physical bodies- prayer, Bible study and communion with other Christians feeds our soul.
Living out the Christian life is fulfilling but not always easy. Without consistency in our walk with God, life’s battles can leave us defeated. God doesn’t want this for us. He wants us to live in victory, but it takes consistency on our part.
Buying a gym membership and stocking your refrigerator with fruits and vegetables won’t make you healthy UNLESS you exercise and eat healthy; likewise, being a church member and professing to be a Christian won’t make you spiritually fit. Growing spiritually is a two-way street.
God has done His part.
· God expressed and continues to express His love through his son Jesus.
· The Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts when we accept Jesus.
· God’s Word, the Bible, provides all the direction we need.
What is our part?
· Engage with God through his word. Consistency is key.
· Talk to God through prayer. Consistency is key.
· Listen to Him through the Holy Spirit—get quiet. Consistency is key.
· Obey His voice. Consistency is key.
God wants us to be in relationship with Him. Relationships build over time. Consistency is key. Consistency comes one day at a time. Start today. Commit to consistency.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation (no matter what the circumstances) be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
