When I woke up this morning, I was covered all the way up to my chin with both of the blankets on the bed. That is unusual for me, and what it told me was that it was going to be the perfect day for the next Fire Challenge! I stepped out of bed, and sure enough, the house was cold, and it looked pretty chilly outside too. Yay!! Who else is ready for sweater weather? Oh, just me?
Today's Fire Challenge is called "The Hungry Fire" (Thank you, Brooke- Girl in the Woods) and it's about pushing myself to my edge, literally and figuratively. It's about letting my mind take control of my body and being empowered by how that feels–both physically and mentally.
I can easily fall into a depressed state when my body is in severe pain and stopping me from enjoying life, because I just can't see the point of the pain. I try not to stay there too long, but there is always a fear of that feeling lingering, so I'm taking steps to better manage my body and my mind as one, super-powered unit! Pain is pain, plain and simple, but it needs to stop winning in my mind. It already takes my body.
So this challenge was needed, because my body and my mind are often incompatible with one another. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds all the time. These challenges are helpful to me, but just like Brooke, I do them with God's help, because without Him, all of this stuff is just human-powered, and I've already tried that stuff. It doesn't last. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Okay, on to the challenge! You're not going to like this any more than I did! Today was the day for it because it was the chilliest morning we had, and the challenge was to jump in a cold body of water first thing in the morning, have a fire, and then cook something over it. Yikes! Well, I don't have a body of water handy, so I decided to do this challenge in the safety of my shower. I turned on the icy, frigid water in my cold, unheated bathroom, took a few deep breaths and stepped in. I followed Brooke's instructions to avoid gasping, shrieking, shaking, or any other normal human response. I have to say, I was very cool and chill about the whole thing. (I had to!) However, after a few shocking and near-death moments, I became slightly nauseous, so I decided I felt empowered enough and stepped right on outta there. Seriously though, what I got out of it was that I am able to empower my body with my mind and let it know that I am in control. Who is the boss of this body? ME! Brrrrr....I was kinda proud of that moment.
When Brooke stepped out of the river, she said things like, "That was painfully good! Wow, that was great!" That was not my experience, but who knows? Maybe I will get better at this as I get stronger. I do want to add that if you decide to try this, you may want to check with your doctor first to make sure it's safe for you to do.
I had no plans to cook anything, as I don't eat breakfast, but I went outside and built a big fire, and pondered the verse that Brooke suggested for this challenge, Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. And that's where it's at. Where is my mind? What am I thinking about? What am I hungry for–figuratively?
Where our minds go, our health can follow, and I am an example of that. I struggle with anxiety, and it does terrible things to my body. I started these challenges because I am willing to go out of my comfort zone. Sometimes that's what it takes for both the body and the mind to get on track.
A change in behavior, attitude, thoughts, and practices don't change with just a great Bible verse, a sermon, one challenge or even five. It's a desire and a decision to want change, first of all. And then a continuation of the renewing of the mind and the good discipline that follows.
With each challenge, I have done the physical exercise, the journaling, and the fires. Along with that, I have noticed daily lessons coming from my mentor, and I'm continuing reading and journaling along with another helpful book. When I'm finished with all of these, I will move on to more learning tools. When we want change in an area of our lives, we need to keep asking for God's help, and then keep it moving.
I've journaled along the way and asked myself some tough questions too. Life is never about standing still and expecting things to get better. It's about looking within and saying, "God, what do you want to change in me so that I can better represent You?"
**Stay tuned for my final challenge. It may be delayed due to some vacation plans, but you won't want to miss it!
