STRONG RELATIONSHIPS + BIBLICAL WISDOM = LASTING CHANGE
Regardless of the circumstances, making lasting lifestyle changes can be hard. Both personal and professional relationships can be the defining factor in successful change when done properly. So what is the best way to support each other in this change process? Here are 5 Biblically based ways you can show love and support through this change process.
1. LISTEN: The Bible says everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Take the time on a daily basis to listen to each other. What hopes, dreams, fears and expectations do each of you have through this change process? Be quick to listen and understand and slow to speak.
2. ENCOURAGE: The words of the tongue can build someone up or it can tear them down. There is nothing better than words of encouragement from someone you care about to help lift you up.
3. GRACE-BASED JUDGMENT: We all have areas in our life where we fall short. It’s not our job to judge others. We need to look at our own lives rather than judge others. God has given us the power of free will in which we each have the ability to choose for ourselves how we treat our body. God gives us the ability and intends for us to exercise good judgment, but always with the filter of grace.
4. EMPATHY: Think of this change journey from each other’s perspective. As the old saying goes, “walk a mile in their shoes.” Be kind and compassionate to one another.
5. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: Regardless of where you or your loved one is in the change process, by showing them unconditional love, you are showing them that you love their spirit. By loving the people closest to you unconditionally, it gives them the space to be who they are and make the changes in a loving and safe environment.
A shining example of how both personal and professional relationships is instrumental in the change process is exemplified by the story of one of my client’s, Andrew. Andrew had been struggling with his weight for many years. He went from being a college athlete to someone who was struggling with obesity and on seven different prescription medications in his fourth decade of life. He is a seriously devoted Christian and after a great deal of soul searching and prayer, he was able to align his thoughts with God and realized that he was doing a disservice to his temple by the way he was treating it.
Through attending my Divine Wellness Academy and working with me as his fitness and lifestyle performance coach, he was able to lose 50 pounds and get off all of his prescription medications. This lifestyle transformation had a great deal of impact on his life physically, mentally and spiritually.
The best part of this story is my client and his wife are in complete alignment on their health goals. It wasn’t easy as they realized they had to work together in order for this change to be sustainable. It took a while for them to get on the same page in regards to nutrition and dining out. Once they were able to communicate and support each other through this change process, the results have continued to come for Andrew. This move towards better health with Andrew has led to a closer relationship with both God and his wife.
The bottom line is connections create change. You can find this connection with a friend, loved one, or a qualified personal trainer or fitness coach. I purposely designed the Divine Wellness Academy, a 10 week transformational health and wellness course, so that participants have weekly accountability and support partners. This connection creates change.
It is God’s design that all of life is to be lived in relationship with others. Lifestyle changes can be hard, but are best achieved when we follow God’s design. Start building your support network today. Find a faith based fitness coach or personal trainer that can guide you through this holistic change process. Find ways to continually strengthen your relationship with those closest to you.
A strong alliance and support network of loved ones and faith based fitness professionals can help support you in getting in the best spiritual, physical and mental shape of your life. This connection ultimately creates change.
More Faith & Fitness Magazine articles related to this topic:
Biggest Looser Gains It All Back And Then Some
Get Passionate Personal Training With A CIT
This article, Relationships 101 – The 1 On 1 Of A Fit Lifestyle, appears in the October/November 2016 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine.
