Different kind of exercise

No... Wait.... Don't leave. This isn't what you think. Well, it is about exercise, but of my heart and mind.

I love to work out. If you know me, you know this about me. The great feeling of making it another mile, or going through a hardcore kickboxing class. Even being able to do 10 real push-ups (you know, the "man" kind, with knees OFF the floor).

But as much as I like working out, and as much as working out makes my body fit and in shape, it doesn't do much with my heart and character.

I'm not going to talk about my struggle with my body image and confidence. You all have your own and can relate. I am going to say, though, that it has taken an active effort to change my thoughts, but I finally believe that I am beautiful the way I am... I have accepted the temple God has given to me. That doesn't mean, though, that I shouldn't take care of this temple. And that I still don't struggle, daily, with the way I look (I am a woman and not perfect).

And that is where the exercising of my heart and mind starts.

Psalm 139:14
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

We always hear the part, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, but to me the beginning and end of that verse is the most important. Please, go back and read the words before and after.

I know I was made by God, and am beautiful because if it. Believing it is harder and thanking Him for something I don't like is even more difficult.

Let me get real though, standing in front of the mirror and repeating "I am beautiful" is not going to change anything. Other than feeling just a little bit more desperate to like my body.

But continually changing my degrading thoughts to those of praise and thanks to God for my body will change something. Remember, God's word is living and active and can change the heart and mind.

That is my exercise that really matters.

How can I say I love God with all my heart, soul and mind if I don't love the very person He created?

How can I teach my daughter to love God and her own body if I don't thank God for the temple He gave me?

This is the exercise I am really going to work at in 2012.

This is my new years resolution.