New Attitude

Great workout this morning. I hit the 6 am spin class at the Y, which is a tough class but a nice calorie burn. After class I dove into New Rules of Lifting for Women stage 2b which consists of

Wide Grip Deadlift from box - 2x10 with 25lbs
Bulgarian split squat 2x10 with 10lbs
Under hand grip lat pull -2x10 with 35 lbs
I apparently skipped 2 of the exercises 
Swiss ball crunch 2x10
Reverse Crunch 2x 10
Lateral flexion 2x10

Finished up with 2 miles speed - alternating 2 min 10:31 pace, 1 min 7:53 pace for 15 minutes. Ran last 5 min at 8:45 pace.

I typically get up at 4:30 each day so I have time to drink my coffee and read my bible. Admittedly,I've not been reading every morning during the past couple of weeks and it really has shown in  my attitude. I've been angered easily and kind of negative and maybe an itsy bitsy selfish. Honestly I have really no reason to have any of these feelings. My life is pretty cushy and my troubles are minute compared to what so many others face each day.

Once I get into that kind of mood I have to be very intentional about digging out, it seldom resolves on its own. I finally decided to get over myself and dig into Romans and read each chapter and take time to reflect on it over a couple of days.  

As I read  through chapter 2 I felt especially convicted about my attitudes recently.  When I allow anger to take root in my heart bitterness isn't far behind and it's  not too long before I find myself in the midst of a big ol' pity party for yours truly. I typically begin hyper focusing on working out and running, because it's just easier than dealing with my bad attitude besides, by this point I've completely justified my actions and feelings.  This pushes me even farther from God and I find my heart completely hardened to the truth. It's a yucky place to be.

As I read verses 5-8 it really struck a cord with me. "God will give to each person according to what he has done." Wowza I'm in big trouble. Thankfully I serve a God of mercy and forgiveness but that doesn't mean I can keep on this slippery slope.  

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self‑seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. (Romans 2:5-8 NIV84)

My true hearts desire is to serve God and to be a reflection of His grace and mercy. It's kind of hard to reflect Christ's mercy and grace when your filled with anger and bitterness. so this week I'm praying that He will reveal to me the areas of my life where I am allowing anger to take root and impede my spiritual growth. 

My favorite verse in Romans is 5:3-5 and it's a verse that I can apply easily to running, but in life it's a smidge more difficult. I focus on the word "suffering", and I remember what Christ did for me. He gave his life for me so that my sins can be forgiven. There is NOTHING that I encounter that could ever equal the suffering he endured. Kinda puts my whining into perspective.

Rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5 NIV84)