Patty and I are both on a diet. She counts calories, and I count carbs. Whatever we are counting, the main ingredient is self-control. I got overweight because I couldn’t say no to donuts, cake, ice cream, candy bars, etc. When I discovered that I was allergic to sugar and gluten, I gained some immediate self-control. Because if I ate what I was allergic to, the consequences would be almost immediate. That has helped me now that I am officially on a diet. I am controlling what I eat; I am exercising at least 30 minutes five days a week, I am getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night, I am taking some essential vitamins, I am putting sunscreen on when I go outside for any length of time, I am visiting my dermatologist every two months, my regular doctor every six months, and my urologist every two years. Besides that, I change the oil in my pickup every 3,000 miles!

All of that is to try and stay physically healthy, except for the pickup. But much more important than my physical health is the health of my soul. A healthy soul requires the same kind of discipline and routine. I read my Bible every day. I spend 40 minutes every day memorizing scripture verses. I spend time with God in prayer every day. I read good Christian books five days a week, journal daily, examine my life for sin, and confess all known sins to God daily. I read my goals two times a week and commit my life to Christ as Lord of my life daily. Why? Because I want a healthy soul that is growing to be more like Jesus every day of my life. Self-control is easy when there are immediate rewards or consequences, but most of the rewards and consequences in my life, both physically and spiritually, are delayed. Those disciplines take much more self-control. The important thing for me is to remind myself why I am doing these disciplines; I try to do that almost daily. “This is what I truly want, and this is what I need to do to get it.”