Every day that I go to the gym, I see the words in the picture above, pasted on the wall directly across from the machines I use for my workout. I appreciate the incentive and encouragement those words bring; I get to choose, so I should choose wisely.
The reader may not be aware that about two months ago, I received an early-stage diagnosis of an aggressive form of cancer. Although it was caught early, its aggressive state meant treatment was to begin as early as possible. With the guidance of my doctors, we elected to pursue immunotherapy. Key to the successful outcome is for the immune system to be as strong as possible. So, in addition to making the necessary dietary changes, I incorporated weightlifting into a daily workout regime.
I am now at the halfway point of my treatment. Just as foretold by my doctor, this treatment brings with it varying levels of fatigue from day to day.
It’s a balance, listening to my body when it tells me I need to rest and overcoming my body when I know that I need to do things for it that it just doesn’t feel like doing.
Yesterday, I skipped going to the gym because I felt it was the best thing for me to tap into the energy reserves to help the immunotherapy do its job.
Today, I have a little bit more energy after sleeping nearly 14 hours, and I contemplated giving in to my body rather than to what I know is best. As I sat there contemplating and having that internal argument, I looked up at my wife and she’s got this wistful smile.
“I’m just looking at your muscles,” she said.
Argument concluded. I go to the gym after she heads to work, and I thank God for the woman he has brought into my life.
As I pushed past the immuno-fatigue that reduced my usual output and performance on the weight bench, I once again saw those words on the wall and contemplated my excuses. And then it hit me…
I have cancer. That is my reality and a problem that presents itself to me, for which I have a plan to overcome. Cancer is not an excuse, it just is…
My excuses are things like:
- I'm tired
- I'm not motivated
- I'm more comfortable where I am on the couch
- I just don't feel like it
- It's not like missing one workout will make that big of a difference!
- I'd rather be doing ______________.
When I realized that my excuses had the power to become stronger than my cancer, I realized that too often I have made a situation for my excuses and the negative choices I've made:
- I'd rather sleep in
- I don't feel like dressing up
- I've had a long day
- But it's on sale and I've always wanted one!
- No one will care if we don't show up
- I'll just have one… What will it hurt?
Strength takes discipline. Discipline is served by having goals. Goals are discovered through introspection.
Or, as the Apostle Paul so eloquently stated:
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
~Romans 5:1-5
Whatever the situation is in which you find yourself, let God guide you through the excuses you have that keep you being less than a conqueror so that you can discover the joy of growing in hope for the future as you live strong for today.
Tags: The Big C & Me
