emotional endurance, principle six: purpose to persevere
Today the day! Emotional Endurance : Faith Fueled Skills for Bouncing Back, Leslie Bossermans’ new book releases today. You can order on Amazon or your favorite book retailer.
I have had the gift of gleaning from Leslie’s book club this summer, reading through her first draft of her book last year as she submitted it to her publisher, and hearing her heart for encouraging others at her Arete retreat.
As I have reread the book this summer in tandem with the study guide, it has been a sweet time to reflect on life and how different aspects of Emotional Endurance play out in my life.
The book broken up into six core principles. She details reflections and exercises to defining the why, how to break through set backs, and become resilient, where to find margin and rest, along with persevering and more.
Today is the final daily reflection based on a Reflect + Connect question from the final principle in her book.
When we are grounded in a purpose bigger than our current circumstances, we can activate an inner resolve to face whatever lies ahead. Individuals who possess grit fortified by faith are able to persevere with purpose in the face of extreme challenges, enhancing their emotional endurance. Using our natural strengths to drive our values forward, we find our flow and realign our expectations. Believing in this eternal purpose, we create a life of deep and abiding fulfillment as we leave a lasting legacy. Leslie Bosserman, Emotional Endurance
What do you feel called to do with your life? Share where you feel led to serve and contribute your talents using your interests and passions.
For as long as I can remember I have had issues with my stomach. That was normal. Living with something for so long it becomes second nature.
At nineteen, I laid in the hotel in Mexico with stomach pains, waiting for it to end.
On our honeymoon cruise, there was the night my stomach ached so bad that we stayed in our room and Ricardo ordered room service, while I waited for the pain to subside.
A few weeks after the birth of my son I was back at the doctor with stomach pains. He said to cut out certain foods, which I did but it did not help. Blood work came back normal.
Two years later I came down with what the ER doctor determined to be a virus, gave me an IV to hydrate me and sent me home with antibiotics, which led to an abrupt end to nursing. This was the same time that Ricardo and I had been seeking God for healing and seeing God move, healing others. It felt like an oxymoron to be laying in bed with a temperature spiking to 105, while he left to preach on healing. After recovering, my stomach pains endured. Followed by fatigue and deer in the headlight forgetfulness.
Doctors were never able to pinpoint the issue or dive deeper than change a few foods or drink more water - something I have always done (anyone else carry three waters when they leave the house?).
Growing up, nutrition was never something I paid attention to or thought about. Being a task focused person, I constantly forgot to eat. I ran on Chewy Bars and Eggo waffles in junior high. Fast food, Cheez Its, ice cream and water fueled me throughout high school and college.
Learning in college about the importance of nutrition and a decade later joining a gym pointed me into a better direction for my health but 2021 catapulted my desire to learn and understand the body in its entirety, seeing how the mind, body and spirit are connected. Brain and gut health were my focus, along with natural medicine.
As I dove into learning how the body works on the molecular model, the more amazed I became with how God created us to live. Through the learned process, I experienced first hand how much changes in diet and lifestyle impacted my stomach, energy levels and overall health.
Every cell in our body was created with intention and purpose. Everything we do impacts the way our cells operate for better or worse.
The food we eat.
The amount of liquid we drink.
How much we sleep.
How we handle conflict and stress.
The amount of physical activity we are involved in.
How much sunlight touches our skin and what time of day.
The personal hygiene products we soak our skin in daily.
The fabrics our clothes are made out of.
The fragrances we use throughout our home.
The quality of air we breathe.
Our cells change and adapt in accordance to these factors and so many more, which becomes the root cause of disease in our body.
What do I feel called to do with my life?
Next to following Jesus and raising my family, sharing the tidbits of hope and healing I have learned along the way about food and faith has become a passion. I would love to have a brick and mortar space with a garden to teach children how to grow food and a cafe to serve fresh, local food that not only tastes good but is nutrient dense and healing to the body. Homeopathic remedies and skin products would line a few walls, while educating on the benefits of using herbs and natural ingredients in hands on classroom settings.
I truly believe what Barbara O’Neill says: the body was made to heal when given the right conditions.
Knowledge is power and when we know what our body needs, by God’s grace, we can use it to heal. I know many people who have been healed miraculously and others through making healthier living choices.
As a small step towards the dream, our family will be creating Growth Boxes, a five sensory experience to grow your faith, health and mind, while studying the bible as an individual or family, available through The Inspire Shop.
Our first box will be released in time to celebrate the Advent season.
Hope you will join us on this adventure.
Join the mailing list for the details as they come.