I was driving home from the grocery store today when I had the following thought: "Rewards are reserved for the faithful."

I was recalling the fact that in every group, ministry, or company of which I've been apart, there are always faithful and unfaithful members. The faithful always stand out because in our current culture, unfortunately, faithfulness is uncommon!

My pastor has said: "Faithfulness is the key to promotion." That is illustrated plainly in the parable of the talents (see Matthew 25:14-30). The master gave three of his servants resources according to their abilities and he gave an instruction as to how they should use them.

Two of the servants obeyed the master's instruction and received a reward. The third servant ignored the master's instruction and only received a rebuke.

Speak this aloud: "Rewards are reserved for the faithful."

This principle is even true with how you care for your body. Your body is a physical resource. If you see a person in excellent shape, this did not happen by accident. You are simply viewing the results of their faithfulness. 

That person likely exercises and eats the amount that is appropriate for their body - consistently. They did it even when the process was long, hard, or boring. That person has made good health a priority in her life and is now reaping the reward.

If you are seeking the reward of a healthier body, then recall your health habits of the past year:

• Have you been faithful with eating healthy foods in the right amounts or is it "hit and miss?" 

• Have you been faithful with exercise or are you doing it only when you feel like it and the motivation is high?

If you are not receiving the health rewards you expect, then consider the level of your faithfulness. Perhaps you need to take it up a notch in one or both areas!

Faithfulness is doing the right thing, even when you don't feel like it. Recall Galatians 6:9: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

To keep from losing heart regarding your health goals, then it is critical that you create a healthy vision for encouragement. What does good health look like to you? In addition to writing it down, I also recommend you get pictures from a magazine or online that illustrates your vision. Display these where you can see them often and make it part of your morning routine to review the pictures, seeing yourself as if the reward is already yours.

A motivational speaker once said: "If you don't have a vision of a better future, then you are condemned to keep repeating the past."

Reviewing your vision to start your day helps ensure that when you face a health choice, then you'll remember your vision, making it easier to make the faithful choice.

Say it one more time: "Rewards are reserved for the faithful."

If you need work in this area, then make a decision to become a faithful person and ask for God's help. Only when you change your identity and act accordingly will you be eligible to receive a faithful person's reward!

 

Kimberly Taylor
Take Back Your Temple
www.takebackyourtemple.com

 

P.S. What is the #1 weight loss challenge people face? According to my research, it's eating for emotional reasons. One of the resources in my Take Back Your Temple eBook bundle  is an audio program that gives you powerful tips for overcoming this issue once and for all. 

The audio is in MP3 format so you can listen to it on your computer, or download it into your iPod or MP3 player. Listen to it while you exercise or in your car!

 

Learn more about the Take Back Your Temple eBook bundle here:

 

Click here to learn more:   http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book