Y = You

You are one of the best ideas God ever had. Just because you’re you. Not plus or minus anything. The Bible teaches us that before the world was made, we were chosen as His.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…” Ephesians 1:4

Before there was a physical “us” He chose us. At just the right time in history, we were “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14.) Whether you are having a good day or a bad day, like yourself or not, feel it or not, you were created on purpose for a purpose and that purpose is good.

I don’t mean for this section to be the longest of the acrostic, but it just might be. We may not have a lot of things in common but this human experience with all its joys and struggles is a common thread we all share. Especially at this season later in life, taking care of ourselves becomes a necessary discipline to be the best we can be with the time we have left and for the people we love and hope to influence in a positive way.

I have broken down the care and keeping of us into two basic categories:

1. Body and Mind

 2. Heart and Emotional Health

As you follow your daily practice of G.L.O.R.Y. and give some attention to the “Y” part of it, these are the things that are important to check yourself on and try to make sure you are getting what you need for optimal health. You are the only one living in your skin and aware of whether you are doing all you can to stick to the commitments for self-care. The goal of all of it is to take care of yourself so that you will be able to care for and serve God and others as long as you can. The ultimate goal is to be in God’s will so if you are the one who serves or the one who receives the service, remember there is grace for both. Even if we have health limitations, we can still serve God and others with attitudes that are in alignment with His perfect will.

The following are care areas we can assume responsibility for to be good stewards of the body God has given us. I am sure there are many others unique to you that I have not touched on, consider those as you make plans to care for yourself. The “Y” is you and the “why” is unique to you. Make sure you make it personal.

1. Body and Mind:
   1. Nutrition and Hydration (Are your eating habits healthy? Drinking enough water? Paying attention to getting enough protein, veggies? Etc.)
   2. Exercise (Are you making sure you are moving your body daily? Does your exercise commitment include core stability? Do you have a walking regimen? Do you do resistance training?)
   3. Rest (Are you getting 7-9 hours of sleep at night? Do you take the time to wind down and prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep?)
   4. Good Hygiene and Skin Care (It is not selfish to indulge in spa treatments! Or take a good soak in the bath or fragrant shower steam!)
   5. Mindfulness (These are quiet, still times to inhale and exhale fully and slowly.  Times to “re-mind” your mindset that you are loved and cared for by a good God. Not a deep reflection “R” time, but time that helps to regain calm and peace in your thought life throughout your day.)
2. Heart and Emotional Health:
   1. Positive Affirmations (Memorizing and Reciting Scripture is my favorite way of taking my heart and emotions to safe places. God’s Word tells me the truth which is way better than just positive thinking.)
   2. Serving (Try to find kind ways to help someone else or be a conduit for God to bless others. This can be super small or quite sacrificial. Let the Lord lead.)
   3. Forgive (Quickly. Whether the offence was intended or not. You can always take your time working out the impact of it later without the baggage of unforgiveness and with God’s grace and help.)
   4. Remove Yourself from Toxic Influences (Make it your commitment to listen to that still, small voice that says, “this is not right.” Leave that movie, close that book, change that radio station, refuse to gossip, etc.)

This is a lot I know, but most of these suggestions you already do, I’m sure. If you see an area that could stand a bit of improvement as you go through the G.L.O.R.Y. practice, you might focus on that until you feel you have a handle on it and move on to something else more needful.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite passages from Philippians. We have the key to unlock a healthier body and mind when we open ourselves up to His Word.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8

Thanks for listening. In Christ, Vickie