Have you ever felt strong negative emotions that you chose to avoid and stuff down? Negative emotions can be accepted and in turn become good. When we avoid these emotions there becomes a tendency to reach for poor coping mechanisms that over time can turn into addictions, only to mask pain. In avoiding and doing this you only buy short term dysfunctional comfort and extend long term pain. Thus we have a Battlefield of the Mind. Our emotions are information that lead to thoughts and action.

Example: Emotions can be like weather. Changing rapidly like seasons. Yes, it’s winter, of course it’s snowing! The roads are full of ice and there’s a blizzard advisory on the local news. Will You choose accept that I cannot get my car out of the driveway today and stay home where your safe and warm? Will you choose to walk out, slip on the ice and fall only to end up in the emergency room? Take the car out, get stuck in a dangerous position, or worse-a fatal accident?

Healthy Choice: Today I can choose to think about emotions as they come and accept them as legitimate feelings that I can learn to navigate through and manage. I can take negative emotions and go to the Word of God and look up and compare to what it has to say about that emotion. I can choose to dismantle the negative and apply some positive aspects and decide my best approach to manage safe choices. Today I choose to actively analyze and evaluate my emotions and thought life. I will choose to run my emotions before they run me!

Diet Tip: Emotional eating can allow cravings and unhealthy binging to create havoc on our emotions and weight gain! You can be intentional and choose Mindful eating for your best health yet!

Daily Devotional: 2 Corinthians 10:5

What if tomorrow were your last day on earth? Would you feel Fear for your eternal security or Peace? Have you surrendered your heart and life to Jesus, who holds the keys to life and heaven? When we have spiritual security in HIM, everything here in our daily walk changes. Why? Because Intimacy with the Holy Spirit creates spiritual security and that in turn begins to reflect in the Fruit we bare.

Example: Spiritual Fruit is growth that proves we are connected to the vine!

Fruit of the spirit is Impossible without connection and intimacy. True Fruit of the Spirit is revealed in our actions as: Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. As this continues to produce and grow our faith is built and spiritual security abides.

Healthy Choice: Today, I will search my heart and decide whom I will serve. I know I cannot serve two masters. I will choose to fully surrender to the Lord, Jesus Christ. I can begin studying the Word and applying it to my life. I will find a home church and teach my children, as well lead others to the Lord. When fear comes my way I will overturn it by quoting scriptures that bring security.

Diet Tip: Daily Bread (the Word of God) will fill you to overflowing satisfaction and security.

Daily Devotional: Galatians 5:22-23

What does it mean to physically stand with Staying Power? When the storms of life come, what does it take to stand firm with physical strength in a turbulent climate? It not only requires physical exercise but putting on the proper attire. Good survival skills are a must! Proper training for staying power should be practiced and put in place long before the atmosphere changes! Physical stamina can pull from our mental, emotional, and spiritual reserves.

Example: a winter storm can come in the form of a death, a job loss, a prodigal child, a physical impairment, or a traumatic tragedy.

Healthy Choice: I can make decisions today to build my physical stamina so that when a storm arrives, I will not fall. I will prepare myself in the Word that gives me full instruction on strength and stamina. I will develop a diet and exercise program that is most beneficial and unique to me. I can mentally role play scenarios and develop my desired responses and outcomes. I know that my holistic preparation will prompt and aide my physical reactions and overall stamina.

Diet Tip: Leafy greens, peanut butter, and fish are great sources for building stamina.

Daily Devotional: Ephesians 6:11

Have you ever faced a challenging crossroad? Has that crossroad ever seemed impossible? It appears to be too wide, too deep, too threatening. In our minds we cannot see or envision the other side. Our mental focus can hold us back from stepping out in Faith and creating action that will ultimately bridge the crossroad. Imagine reaching the destination and the journey to the other side was actually easier than your original thoughts and perception!

Example: What if that crossroad looks like a path that leads to a new career, educational degree, weight loss, a health challenge, marriage help, or parenting decisions? What will you do to mentally endure the decision making process and do the work to overcome the crossroad?

Healthy Choice: Today I can focus on preparing a plan of action that I can physically put into practice. I can mentally prepare myself that other people, circumstances, finances, and daily life occurrences may come as distractions or a negative force. I can make up my mind and set my mind on the end goals. I can set up a vision board to focus daily and remind me where my endurance will land on the other side of the crossroad!

Diet Tip: Organic Coffee, Vitamin C, Protein, and Complex Carbs are All Energizers and boost endurance!

Daily Devotional: Philippians 4:13