Hope In Integrity

“Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?” Job 4:6

New Year Resolutions. A bit of a crowd favorite, to start the new year with a list of promises to ourselves of things we’re going to change or improve about ourselves. Well, now that we’re three Sundays in many of us are facing the harsh reality of sticking with it, or sliding it to the side to embark on another time. I’m no stranger to this myself. I decided that in January I was stepping back into ketosis full time and getting back to where I wanted to be on my healthy living journey. I had pancakes and breakfast potatoes at brunch this weekend (don’t judge me). So that puts me at a bit of a crossroads, right? I’m Satisfied with my decision to take back my healthier lifestyle but also sad that I didn’t even make it to the end of the month without slipping up. What a place to be in. But thankfully I have options on moving forward, and so do you.

First, I acknowledge the slip. I could have absolutely chosen to only eat the eggs and turkey bacon and leave those blueberry pancakes alone, but I didn’t. What’s the response to that? Being honest about it. I CHOSE to eat what I did and I have to pay the price for it (nothing but water for the rest of the day to try and get myself back on track). And no matter how much I want to beat myself up about it I can’t take it back now. There is no sense in beating yourself up for the slips you make along the way, because you cannot undo them. So don’t. Acknowledge and repair, move forward.

Next, re-commit to the resolution. I know that I messed up my dietary change. But that doesn’t mean I have to cancel the journey. Ketosis is easy to slip out of but believe it or not, it’s not that hard to slip right back into. If I make up my mind to get back on the horse, I can be headed down the path of success in no time. So can you! You don’t have to give up on yourself or your goals. You don’t have to reject Satisfaction to embrace Sadness. They can and do co-exist all the time. Give Sadness it’s moment and then be Satisfied in your decision to keep trying.

And finally, remember who you are and whose you are. Job teaches us this well. He resolved to keep God first in his life and no matter what was thrown his way he stood fast to that resolution. When his world was turning upside down he was reminded “Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?” (Job 4:6) Intention is EVERYTHING! When I had my slip and chose carbs, my intention in doing so was not to abandon who I am as a person and the right choices I am making for my life. I’m still a good person deserving of the opportunity to make good choices and to correct my mistakes. And my life of integrity gives me the hope I need to keep moving forward. That same thing is possible for you! When you slip or slide, remember you’re a good person and deserve good things. You deserve Happiness, Satisfaction and Joy… even when Sadness comes around for a spell.

So if you don’t remember anything else from your read today, remember this: there is hope in integrity. When you have the right intentions, you can bounce back and get back on track. Sadness will keep you humble because if you feel sad that means you know the error of your ways. And that’s a good thing! It means you’re human, and humans make mistakes, and there’s Satisfaction in just embracing that. Just stay humble, honest, and true, and before you know it you’ll be back to being the best you!