Is your life not fair? Here's how to level-up when life's got you down
LIFE'S NOT FAIR!
OK, I said it.
A day after a celebration for Father's Day...
Two days after my birthday...
Come on Mike? You have a lot to be thankful for. How can you say that?
Well, I'm not here to give a five-year synopsis of my life, but I am here to say we all have those feelings of hopelessness and fear.
It's just all on different terms, measures and circumstances.
Maybe you are not treated fairly at work and watch others make more than you and do less work.
Maybe you are putting in the effort with your workouts and not seeing any change in the mirror.
Maybe you eat "clean" and can't seem to lose an ounce on the scale and end up cringing everyday you step on or put food in your mouth, yet you see friends eat whatever they want and look amazing.
Maybe you feel you are in a one-sided relationship and that you are the one sacrificing everything.
You see, life is always full of unfairness and things that will test us mentally and physically to keep going the next step and mile for help and effort.
We want to know that justice will be served.
I know I'm not perfect.
I know I was too young and had a gym grow too fast on me before I knew what was happening.
I know I was blessed with two little beautiful babies at a chaotic time in life and struggled to figure out how to deal with the demands life throws.
I know I had many personal things I loved stripped from my life that had me quick to say, "COME ON, WHAT GIVES!"
And the more I bought into this, the more Satan fueled his fire stick to keep leveraging his power in my life to let everyone's beliefs, thoughts and my own circumstances be my very own prison.
As Paul wrote in prison (you all should know this one): 'I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength,' Philippians 4:12-13
Why does this matter?
Well, when you think you are going through things in life that are not fair, rather than soaking in the hardship (which I get and is what most do), I want you to ask yourself this instead:
"What is God trying to STRENGTHEN me with by doing this?"
"How can I serve someone ELSE in the midst of this pain?"
"If I see into the future and God changes things, how will this CURRENT feeling help me know how to handle the blessing."
No matter how change comes about, it usually brings discomfort.
We were very comfortable. Now we're uncomfortable. And no one likes being uncomfortable but it's part of life. In fact, I'd argue it's necessary for growth.
It's during seasons of discomfort that we learn, adapt, and grow.
More from Mike Over: Always dieting but never losing weight? Here's why.
More from Mike Over: Don't be so afraid of carbs, fitness coach says
Well, let me clarify: discomfort can lead to growth if we choose to embrace change.
If we resist it, if we get discouraged by it, if we feel helpless during it, discomfort can lead to despair instead of growth.
The key is to embrace whatever change you're going through, even when it's uncomfortable.
It's also important to look forward, not backward. Take memories with you as you move forward and do not carry the weight of the bad or you will have the load of an evil wrath weighing you down so you can never clear to the future YOU.
When your vision for your future is greater than your discomfort, you adapt, grow, and find a way forward!
Never let discomfort ruin you, let it GROW you and you will see the new plans you never thought possible.
I pray this helps you as you fight your week! If you are looking for a coach to walk you through the things you need in life and health, wait no more, schedule a chat with me.
God Bless.
Mike Over is a fitness coach based in Chambersburg, Pa.. Email him at mike@revive-systems.com.
This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Mike Over: When life feels unfair, it's time to level-up
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