Joel M Bradshaw

5O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.–Proverbs 8

My thoughts: Four categories here.

1. The word simple is othertimes translated naive.
2. Prudence means using the mind to discipline life.
3. The word fool is othertimes translated stupid.
4. Sense is literally the Hebrew ‘understanding of heart.’

So the ones who are living the undisciplined life need to live the disciplined life. To do otherwise is to be naive. I am glad in this current season to not be a hypocrite of this. Areas of my life have and are seeing the results of discipline.

The diet discipline is a regular, constant denial of self. Telling yourself to stick to the plan and to knock it off. That’s self-talk. That’s influencing the thought life. I’ll illustrate.

We hosted Christmas and a family member brought one of those big variety cheesecakes (pictured). And only a few pieces were eaten at the party. So rather than throwing it away, I made a plan. I allowed myself one piece a day as part of my routine. I adjusted my calories and my food choices to reflect this daily item, but I made it work. Those cheesecake pieces unbalanced my macronutrient levels, for not all calories are equal. I would have to adjust for this each day. But I did. I ate the last piece this morning.

I wanted more cheesecake. But my thoughts allowed myself one a day. Discipline begins in the thoughts and is maintained with self-talk. A diet can be adjusted for certain items, but it takes discipline. So enough excuses already. I was sick of being simple and foolish. My usual simple, foolish excuse would normally sound like this: “I’ve already ruined today’s diet with a dessert. Might as well wreck this day with more calories.”

The fool sees food as entertainment. The prudent can enjoy food but with intentionality and limitations. That’s what I did with that cheesecake platter. I looked forward to that morning cup of coffee with that ONE piece every day this week. In fact, I wrote these devotions while enjoying a different flavor of cheesecake each day.

I’m not criticizing you or your story. I don’t sit as your judge. I’m just telling you what I’ve learned and where I currently am in my journey. When I viewed food as entertainment, I lived my life for it. Now I do enjoy food, but I am intentional. Staying intentional is the heart of discipline. Lasting change will only happen if a person stays intentional.

In this understanding of heart, I have found sense. My simpleness has been blessed by prudent, organized discipline. My foolish choices have therefore been replaced by sense. That’s my story. It’s good accountability to proclaim this to you. My goal is to #stayonthehorse this time. And 60 pounds into this leg of journey, it’s paying off so far.—JMB