Where Do You Need The Biggest Kick In The…
So right now it’s a tie.
My fat arse needs to shrink.
When someone is on stage jumping up and down pumping their fist the last thing you want to see is their belly hittin on the 2’s and 4’s.
Since going solo on the work front, wife doing what she does best…taking care of me and the kids, and trying to start a business, my finances need some help in a major way.
I hired PS20 to help with my business accounting but my home front needs some attention.
Spiritually I am kicking right along. Thomas Merton and my daily Bible reading I think might be the only thing keeping me a float right now.
Mentally I’m struggling with bouts of anxiety every so often.
I took a stress test the other day, and let’s just say my current lifestyle is anything but serene.
So let me list these in order of suck right now.
1. Physical
2. Financial
3. Mental
4. Spiritual
That’s what I’m going to be working on in that order in the coming months and I’d love to know your list.
What do you guys need a butt kicking in?
How does your list shape up?
I’m thinking of a way that we can all get healthy together.
Like an online version of what would happen if Dave Ramsey, Jenny Craig, Jesus Christ, and Tony Robbins would come up with if left in a room for 24 hours.
Talk to me…
Where do you need the most help right now?
Physical, Financial, Mental, Spiritual…
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
My list really matches yours except I’d rank the list 1, 1a, 1b and 1c!
I need to be kicked almost everyday:
1) Patience
2) Not having a job, but feeling God is going to use you to spread a message
3) Wanting to help others but not having any community to be involved with
Not saying I can help you in anyway, but I will be praying for while I run my gut off in the mornings. As well I will be praying that you will be able to find others to help you in getting some help in these areas of stress.
Thanks Kyle.
1.financial-this is my constant stressor and I cannot turn it over to God
2.spiritual-I need to get my head straight
Oh for sure, the physical. Taking care of myself goes way beyond looking better. Its about having the energy to go all the things I need to do. Taking care of six kids could possibly cripple any mere mortal…so I need some help with that. But my lack of time and energy kinds prevent me from doing that. Its a vicious cycle, nawmean?
Second, finances. Boy, when you decide to go on God’s adventure trail, things tend to get pretty hairy. Right now, stuff is hitting the fan for us. No money, no money coming in, my kids are drinking water with those little flavor packets cuz I haven’t bought them any juice (oh come on, they’ll survive), no health benefits, one car is rattling along and the second is currently in pieces in the driveway. Times are scary, for reals. But in my experience, God likes to wait until I think I might have a nervous breakdown–is that considered character building?–before He moves. He always comes thru. Always. I’m confident of that. It always seems to keep things in perspective for me.
Mentally and spiritually, I’m hanging in there. I seriously drape myself over this scripture, night and day. Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” I like NKJ’s version, which says, “…whose mind is stayed on Thee” So thats what I do, keep my mind stayed on him, steadfast. I mean, seriously, how else would I have been able to stay afloat all these years? His perfect peace is your’s for the taking, but keep focused on Him and not the problems which seem insurmountable! And that is no joke.
Hang in there, brotha. Just no more fat ragamuffin dancing! LOL
I need to get back into a local community of believers. Been worshipping online but my wife and daughter need a local community to be part of (so do I!).
Its really hard to go looking for a church, its scary too and especially hard when you live in a city of 300,000 people and an even smaller church community who look at you like you’ve betrayed them for leaving or wonder how “bad” your theology is becasue you left a church…
Please pray that we listen to God and follow His lead to the right home for us
Right there w/ you – about the same… With God calling the shots, anything is possible! Hang in there & soak in the serenity of the surf when you need to connect to God…
1. j.o.b. (finances… i need me some work!)
2. physical – got a wedding in February…. #LGN needs some work
3. spiritual – psalms and isaiah are good, but i need me some gospels freshener…
4. mental – anxiety is up there but a weird peace that God’s got my back is keeping me steady right now.
los – good seeing you at Story, can’t wait for album to drop.
My list of where I DON’T need a kick in the pants would be shorter – a blank page.
As to your 4-subject list, Los – my ranking would be:
1. mental – need serious help here, have a horrible outlook on most things.
2. physical – overweight and suffering the consequences of inaction, including diabetes
3. finances – if we miss even one paycheck…
4. spiritual – thankfully I’m in a good church and am plugged into several ministries
Thanks for making me ponder. I think.
For me it is:
1. Spiritual
2. Physical
3. Finances
4. Mentally
I need to get my butt in gear…
Wow – I think you hit it pretty square on the head for me. I’m kinda in that mini-meltdown stage that I head into every 9 months or so…
1 – mental – if I can get past a weird pre-mid-life thing the others stuff will fall more into place. That being said…
2 – physical – getting the bod in better shape may help the mental junk?
3 – finances – ALWAYS an issue. That even one paycheck thing? Oh yeah… SOOOOO there.
4 – spiritual – while I have that strange peace that everything will work out, I know that my walk isn’t where it needs to be. Ha ha, I guess that would help the mental too.
Thanks for (yet another) reminder that we need to take care of our whole bodies – the physical, emotional and spiritual!
Life’s not what happens
It’s how you respond to it
Opposite spirit
http://ChristianHaiku.com
Getting your attitude(s) right (mental/spiritual/emotional) is foundational. Financial? “I was young and now I am old, and I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread.” Ps 37:25, Matt 6:25-34, etc…
I’ve got the same 4, but in a different order:
1. Spiritual – I am dry, really dry, spiritually right now.
2. Financial – Our finances SUCK so bad I’ve almost given up.
3. Mental – “Mental toughness” is needed in a big way.
4. Physical – I’m fat. Need to get non-fat.
That’s where I’m at. It ain’t pretty, but its real.
In the physical AND emotional. I have significant weight to lose and was doing great and then this spring…something unclicked and I have gained most of it back. I am miserable because I feel like a failure (where the emotional comes in).
SO, last week I started back my weekly accountability on my blog. AND I am linking it to my facebook page so all my friends can see where I am and how I am doing. I know my biggest hurdle is the “failure” thing (so maybe emotional needs to be on top)…either way…
Then spiritual, I am pretty sure if I gave more over to the big guy I would be in better shape too.
With an almost 15 yr old…finances are as best as can be expected.
Thanks for another opportunity for me to be accountable
Spiritual… definitely
I definitely need patience. But I also need affirmation from people. People like hearing that they’re doing a good job. I haven’t heard that for awhile. I’m discouraged… it seems that every time I bring an idea to the table… it gets shot down.
I know things will get better for me. Somehow. I trust in God. I know he’ll help me through this. I just wish his timeline was more like mine… haha.
Los – you’re always welcome to join me on the trails – God always shows up out there (peaceful, deer, trees, nature…)…
Come on – we can leave that gut out in the woods somewhere…
1. Financial- my husband has been looking for a job for 14 months! God is our provider but it definitely is hard to wait for his timing and it has been SOOO humbling. We have taken the time to simplify our lives. Our physical needs are being met each month by HIS grace. Last Christmas was the first Christmas we did not charge on the credit card for gifts. We actually did not buy many gifts. It was one of the best Christmas’s we’ve ever had! new tradition started- enjoy time with family and focus on the reason for the season- JESUS.
2. Mental- lots of distractions in my life including caring for elderly parent- you have to be at this point to understand just how much it takes out of you both mentally and physically.
3. Spiritually- doing better- consistent time with God each day- really helps stay focused on what’s important.
4- Physically- Improved cuz I’m on Weight Watchers- I’d recommend it! It teaches you how to eat right. After a while, you don’t have to count points because you have learned to make the right food choices.
I think it would be healthy for all of us to learn to simplify life – in our eating, in our buying, in our ‘analytical’ thinking, and sit back to ‘dwell in the presence of the Most High’. It seems to me that pressing in to that relationship with God will help bring order to the other struggles. The answers to our prayers just don’t look like we anticipate them to because His ways are not our ways. I don’t mean to be glib to those having any of the struggles posted – I only mean to encourage us (see, I need it too) to be faithful to seek His glory in all things. God is shaking loose from His children what is not of Him so He can equip us for the last days. Bring it on:).
I agree Los…Here’s my order.
1. Spiritually – After doing so much work on the church front, I’m discouraged and getting close to being burned out.
2. Mentally – Being spiritually low is draining on me mentally. I’m losing my sense of purpose and direction.
3. Physically – If I don’t take care of my body, it drains me mentally. If I’m not healthy, I can’t do the work it takes to take care of my spiritual, mental, and financial well-being.
4. Financially – I can always be more fiscally responsible. I’ve got every book, CD, and DVD that Dave has put out. I need to watch them and read them… LOL.
The truth is, it all boils down to our reliance on God and complete dependance on Him for us to be able to handle and tackle the tasks that are put before us. Every time I try to do this life on my own, I fail, I get too busy, I lose my sense of direction, vision, and purpose, and I usually have to shut it down and admit to Him that once again, I tried it on my own and once again, I’ve got to give it to Him, trust in Him, and lean into Him for support.
Don’t know if that helps, but it helps me. Thanks for your post. It was a kick in the arse for me.
Physical for me – the problem isn’t working out but seeing results. I need to change something. In at a close second place spot is my work life…of lack there-of. It’s a matter of God’s timing, and I sense something’s about to break loose for me to contribute to…but I will seriously die if I don’t catch a fresh chance to work that has nothing to do with kids, laundry, cooking or otherwise. Love my kids but it doesn’t all end there for me.
I put mental and spirtiual together, I am in a struggle as i try to build a new life in this big city… Physically, I ride the trails on my MTbike whenever I can.. Carlos, if you can find the time/funds a great way to exercise and bleed off that stress/anxiety and the pounds is spin classes.. 2.5 years ago I was taking meds for anxiety, depression, high bp and and so on, now, no meds and a clearer head.. consistent exercise is a great help!! and I know that is hard to schedule with kids and family and work, but its worth it..
Two big ones for me:
Financial – this has, historically, been the one thing that separates me from God the most. I just cannot find discipline in this area and it’s an incredibly tough time for me.
Physical – it will take a literal kick in the arse to get me to the gym, but I need it desperately.
crap. all of them.
wow!
i’d say i’m the exact opposite of you carlos…
(hopefully not in too many more ways than this?)
1. Spiritual
2. Mental
3. Financial
4. Physical
i don’t know who’s needs the butt kickin’ more.
yeah i do.
1) physical — started working out 2 days ago, need to lose 20 lbs of post-baby weight
2) emotional — my mood swings are ridiculous even to me
3) prioritizing my time — i spend so much time online that i find myself telling my kids to go off and play so i can “internet” — i am working on it by blogging less, facebooking less, and reading less junk — why is this so hard?
Physical- been a fatty since I came out of the womb. Getting married in February and would like to look good for that, but more importantly hating to stand on a stage declaring the need for people to have self-control when my lack of it is obvious. Plus I hate huffing up the stairs.
Mental-I need to learn to deal with criticism in a healthier way. You know, one that doesn’t involve weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Carlos, I will be praying for you. Always thankful for your transparency…it helps us be honest too.
1- pyshical – i’ve been struggling with a lot of health issues this last yr and the doctors just cant figure it out and i’m just sick of dealing with it. so i’ve taken to just accepting it into my everyday life, but it severely effects my attitude.
2 – spiritual – school is crazy right now. and i’m super worn down. and instead of running to Christ I all to often say “tomorrow I’ll catch up” some days are better than others, some weeks are better than others… i need to balance
3 – mental – a constant struggle always.
4 – financial – I dont have a job which is frustrating, but I am in college and not needing one 100% though it would be super nice.
For some reason I’ve been really negative & critical recently.
Like I can do better than everyone else.
And it’s not like me.
Ugh.
Relying on faith…not going on what is seen and heard, but what isn’t. Big career changes need to be made in my life and I’m completely anxious. Know what I need to do, scared to take that step in faith! Job is no longer healthy for myself or my family and I know 30 years from now this is one decision I will not regret, however I’m scared to take it!
Been struggling with all of it… I don’t exercise enough, and my almost 37 year old body is showing it. Having a hard time setting and sticking to a budget. I’m a horrible manager of my time. Eat too much and the wrong stuff. God’s been doing some work on me lately, and something I’ve been led to do is fast. I read Jentezen Franklin’s book FASTING, and Ive prayed about it a lot. I’m also doing the Beth Moore, DANIEL study.
Interesting that I read this post today, as this morning I started a 21 day Daniel fast. I’m totally turning all the suck in my life (eating/drinking habits, financial responsibility, time management, exercise) over to God.
I know that He’s mighty to save and that He’ll be mighty to strengthen me in a way I’ve never even known… I’m already claiming that!
Peace, Blessings and Power to all of you working on the suck in your life.
Mine, is a lot like all of the others.
I have a job, just not in the city where I live. I travel four away from home each Monday, share (can’t afford) an apartment with a employee of mine and then go home for a weekend. During the weekend try to do all of the things one would do all week, into a weekend. Plus spend quailty time with my wife.
All the time pushing myself to read more of his word, to think about the reason God has me doing this, and why is it my season to have to be away from my wife and kids. To stay strong mental, when loneness is very real.
To think more about the money I spend,
All of the time really knowing that God has his hand on my life, looking for signs to believe that one day, I will understand the reason behind this season.
Is it just me or does Intense Debate never load? It never loads anymore on your blog Los, but loads everywhere else.
The top thing on my list right now is physical. I am trying to first, eat less fast food and more home made stuff. I am trying to walk the dog everyone and get out a bit, lastly I am looking into joining that gym thing…yuck. Anyway, that’s the big one for me.
The biggest kick in the pants? I am selfish. God and I have been having quite a few authentic moments and conversations about that lately. God likes to give me themes, like “give up and give me control” or “live for me”. Right now, it is “you are selfish”. I could list quite a few symptoms that exacerbate this condition. I need more kicks in the pants to urge me toward selflessness…
Here’s my take on what Dave, Jenny, Tony and Jesus would come up with…
There is no balance in life. Sometimes you are rockin’ it, and sometimes you are resting it.
Right now you are trying to rock it solo, so don’t sweat that things are going to be hairy. Live like no one else, so that you can live like no one else.
Make sure you schedule your daily devos, your workouts and your non-Bible inspirational reading or it won’t get done.
Don’t eat junk.
Make sure you do the money with Heather. Make decisions together. Pay the rent, keep the lights on and have food on the table and juggle the rest.
Make sure there is someone in your life that is holding you accountable to this. Someone who will call you every day and kick your butt if need be.
1. Physical
2. Mental
3. Spiritual
4. Financial
1. Spiritual- I think once I get this straightened back out everything else will fall into place too.
2. Relationship- need to give 150% to it to make it work. It takes 2. I need to step up.
3. Physical- I need to lose 25lbs ASAP. And once I do it again, acknowledge the hard work and be happy with myself (I have major body image issues)
I can’t wait to hear your group plan!
hmmm, as for me lt’s see….
1. Mental–not listening to the lies and standing on God’s truth and promises alone.
2. Spiritual—continuing to dig deep and work out the root issues that need to be dug out
Those are the main ones. Out of our hearts flows everything else so those are the big ones.
Thanks for being transparent and honest as well as opening that up to others!
Well… in no particular order,
1) Spiritual. I haven’t been in the Bible lately, and I’m not praying much. Gotta get on that.
2) Organization. I can’t find anything in my room. I can’t find graded papers that I need to study for tests. I washed clothes two weeks ago and have yet to hang them up. :-/
3) Planning. This includes both short-term and long-term. Short-term, I need to come up with a schedule for each day the night before, and stick to it. Long-term, I’m working on planning for classes next semester and student teaching next fall.
4) Practice. I’m doing a horrible job at practicing, which is bad since I have a recital next semester. :-/
5) Physical. I need to lose weight. But that’s been that way for awhile now.
1. Relational – I’ve given everything I can, he needs to step up or step out
2. Spiritual – have to schedule a time where I can be consistent
3. Health – finding a doc and taking care of issues that could result in an early death like it did my cousin.
4. Creative – feeling creatively asphyxiated and looking for a hobby.
I have learned lately that when all of our planning does not work…prepare. Just take the time to prepare for God to move you to the next place/level. If I keep trying to plan, I slip into worry. So, I find it better to trust God with the plans and work on things I know will help whichever direction He leads. What does prepare mean? For me, it means learning new programs, trying out new lighting (I am a photographer), working on the web site, studying the Word with no agenda.
1. Financial, slightly better with a temp job for the state health dept., but not for long.
2. Physical, with a growing addiction to sandwiches from Subway.
3. Spiritual, not getting enough scripture reading or prayer done.
4. Mental, best of all, but I need to keep up on matters computer and Internet.
ummmmm; I choose all of them – can I do that,
Spiritual (my empty tank) and Physical (my over filled tank)
current efforts:
not enough time with God
not enough foot time on ground
what should I do about it:
Wake up earlier and just Nike it
Honestly – will I?
I doubt it – at least not consistently enough, maybe I need a baseball bat smack
1. Mental – dealing with how I handle stress
2. Physical – dealing with how I handle stress
3. Financial – dealing with how I handle stress
It’s amazing how I crack under pressure sometimes. It’s been stressful lately and I know it’s about relying on Jesus and making right choices, but it’s hard sometimes.
The big thrust for me is management. I manage one day. I don’t manage the next because I am overwhelmed in waves. I need to be more consistent and less fearful. my fear turns into discouragement, which results in time wasted.
1. Health management–huge spiritual weights lifted @Catalyst during Francis Chan’s slot…dealt with forgiveness of self on a whole ‘nother (ghetto phraseology forgive plz) level. now the physical weight related to that weight needs to be banished. i understand that i have to take care of me in order to get “it” out.
2. Task Management- trying to get to the mission field like yesterday and when i turned in the application the poo boo hit the fan in a beautiful resurrecting, i’m alive from the dead kind of way. Much more productive, so I have to tackle and move consistently
3. Creative Output Management-So excited about being resurrected and being able to create with a clear concious…first time in my life…I have to pace myself and focus. I’m all over the map with music, events, writing, craft. I need to breathe and plan and execute
When I step back, God is with me. I try not to go too ballistic when it comes to my mistakes. I’m understanding that He gives us room to bend stretch and grow and what keeps me sane is taking it…just breathing Him in…
You, do your thing! Keep sharing and encouraging us to do ours! Bless u!
Thank you for writing this for me. this is exactly where I need to be kicked. i pretty much suck. thanks for reminding me
@Art said that it’s not pretty, but it is what it is — but as I read through all these, I see beauty. I see confession and repentance and turning to God. That is beautiful. The circumstances suck, yeah. So, here’s where my seat needs kicking:
1. Mental – I still battle poor “me” esteem. I forget I’m who God loves and created and I let others decide who I am and how I feel about that.
2. Physical – I’ve recently learned about eating right and food being my idol, so I’m doing better with 30 less pounds and two sizes smaller, but exercise is a bane. Ugh. Sweat is not my thing.
3. Financial – Thank God we’re doing well financially. Not as well as last year, but we’re okay. I just need to be wise with it so I can do better things with our money.
4. Spiritual – One area I have buried my heels in (okay, God nailed me on) is here. If I have to be someplace at a certain time, I cannot lay in bed till that time. I have to get up early enough to get in that chair with my Bible and journal and spend time with Him. No slacking. No days off. Just do it. Over a year now of letting Him come first and I’m so thankful and blessed!
Thanks, Los for this. Evaluation is a good thing. Especially when we think we’ve got it all together.
Do you still live in Atlanta?
got dave ramsey for u if you want to borrow, can mail it. all i need right now is guidance, understanding, patience, temperance, long-suffering. i can ALWAYS stand to be kinder–gonna go read galatians 5.
Great post. Our church is doing a series right now that gets to heart of this issue. We are challenging people to identify their roles in life including faith, and set attainable tasks to improve those areas. We have card that people write down the Role, Goal and Task then we send appointment requests to their calendars for the next week as a reminder to put action to their intentions.