Define Your Words Before You Set Your Expectations...

In Job 36, Elihu corrects Job with words about God. He says,

"If people are bound with chains

and trapped by the cords of affliction,

9 God tells them what they have done

and how arrogantly they have transgressed.

10 He opens their ears to correction

and tells them to repent from iniquity.

11 If they listen and serve him,

they will end their days in prosperity

and their years in happiness."

While Elihu is not entirely wrong here, he lacks a little definition for his terms.

First of all, there has to be some clarification on Job. God saw him as blameless from the beginning of the book. His other friends ruthlessly claimed that Job's problems were because he must have done something wrong. Elihu promises not to say the same things as the other guys, but we see here that he kinda' does. So, we have to break these words down with the understanding that even though they have valuable meaning, their placement isn't necessarily on point. That said, let's do a small dissection of the passage...

The fact is, these things that Elihu is saying are true about God. He is faithful to show us where we have lived in willful disobedience to Him. He gives obvious messages that will open the eyes and ears of our hearts so that we might turn from our wicked ways and repent.

He also makes a solid statement about us..."IF [we] listen." He is highlighting the fact that we have a choice. We don't have to listen, but God is ALWAYS faithful to give us words from Him to hear.

Lastly, when we do listen, our days will end in prosperity and happiness...

Was Elihu right here? Cause that sure does sound like a prosperity gospel message, and we know that is not THE gospel message of Jesus Christ.

He is correct, but without a little deeper look into the words "serve," "prosperity," and "happiness," the reader will be expecting a substantial check in the mail promptly arriving directly after serving at Church.

Now, don't be afraid. I won't go into a wordy, etymological study, but we need some explanation to understand what this truly means...

Serve - to worship (Gen 16:6-13; Job 1:20-22; Job 19:25-27; Ps 31:5; Luke 23:45-46; Acts 7:59).

Prosperity - being confident that God will take care of you (Ps 27:13-14; Ps 142:5, 2 Cor 4:7-18)

Happiness - the comfort of communion with God and a good conscience (1 Pet 3:16; 2 Cor 1:12)

In the past year, I have come to understand that my body just isn't going to do what I had planned for it to. Reflecting on how I got to where I am now, I can see that I took scriptures like these and made them say what I wanted them to. I set my expectations for my body on my false expectations of God. I never meant for that to happen...In fact, I thought I was doing quite the opposite...but that just shows the wretched deceitfulness of the human heart.

There has been a deep struggle with making my flesh and spirit move from my definition of God's promises to what He has actually assured through Jesus. Now, though, I can say that even though my body is still not going in the direction I would have for it, my heart is.

We are prone to wander, but HALLELUJAH. PRAISE BE YAHEWH. He is so patient. He keeps pursuing and making us more like Him by revealing more of Himself...IF we are looking!

When we finally turn to Him, we sing a different song. Go read Job 42. This is after Job has experienced God. His words are humble and full of worship.

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Today, are you ready for your heart to feel different about the season that God has allowed you to be in...the season that just seems to have no end?

The encouragement from me is not like it used to be: Suck it up and do better. Oh my word, how the memory of myself embarrasses me. No. What I would say to you now is stop looking for who you are...scrambling to live up to a definition for your life and God's promises that you've created...and just let God be who He has always been...

"Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I will bless the Lord who counsels me— even at night when my thoughts trouble me. 8 I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore, my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices."

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WORKOUT REMINDER...

One of the most significant confusions and disappointments in this season of physical limitation is not being able to work out like I once could. However, I have learned some super valuable lessons that might help you...

There will be seasons full of very good reasons, along with very weak excuses that you just cannot exercise. You must be honest with yourself about which one you are in.

Either way, you can find something appropriate for you at your stage.

In this season, I am doing about 10-15 mins of weights on the living room floor or the steps 2-3 days per week. I also take good long walks a couple of other days. If my body and mind tell me no, then I don't. I'm learning how not to go to either extreme of over or underdoing it.

For you, it might be that you are entirely able to get back in the gym, but the excuses are comfortable, and doing nothing is a faithful, very toxic friend. OR You could be the other extreme...you have been doing it for a long time, but something is just not right with your body. It could be time to cut back or take a little break. That's not a crime. Overexercising can be catastrophic to your hormone health.

Moderation is KEY!

Define your workout schedule by your ability, NOT your expectations.