“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” — III John 1:2 NKJV
I wanted to share a little about my personal health journey. This is something that has been on my heart, and I hope it encourages someone else who may be going through a similar experience.
Back in October of 2025, I went to my primary care doctor for a checkup and had some bloodwork done. When the results came back, I was surprised to learn that my A1c was 6.1 and that I was in the prediabetes range. This was not something I expected to hear, but it made me realize that I needed to make some changes.
I knew I needed to take my health more seriously. I started making changes to my diet, cutting out a lot of junk food and significantly reducing carbohydrates. That was not always easy, but I knew it was something I needed to do. I also began putting more effort into exercising and being consistent with my activity.
Now, here we are a year later, and I am thankful to share some good news!
My A1c has come down from 6.1 to 5.7. My doctor was encouraged by the progress I have made and told me to keep doing what I am doing.
I have also seen a significant difference in my weight. Back in October of last year, I weighed around 240 pounds. Today, I am around 211 pounds. That is a difference of approximately 29 pounds over the past year!
I believe losing weight has been an important part of my health journey and may have contributed to bringing my A1c down. Along with losing weight, I have made changes to my diet, cut back on carbohydrates and junk food, and become more consistent with exercise. All of these changes have been part of my effort to improve my health and lower my blood sugar.
Just to clarify, an A1c of 5.7 is still technically in the prediabetes range, while 5.6 and below is considered normal. So, although I am not quite back into the normal range yet, I am thankful for the progress I have made.
I know this journey is not over, and I still have room for improvement. But it is encouraging to see progress after making changes and staying consistent over time.
This journey has reminded me of something important: The small decisions we make today can have a lasting impact on our lives tomorrow.
The Little Foxes That Spoil the Vine
There is a passage of Scripture that has been on my heart as I have thought about this journey.
“Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.” — Song of Solomon 2:15 NKJV
When we think about our health, it is easy to overlook the little things. Maybe it is the extra junk food we eat, the lack of exercise, or the habits we allow to become part of our daily routine. One small decision may not seem like a big deal, but when those decisions become patterns over time, they can begin to affect our health.
I believe this principle can also apply to our spiritual lives.
Sometimes, it is not one big decision that pulls us away from the Lord. It can be the little things we allow to creep into our lives. Maybe we stop spending time in prayer, neglect reading God’s Word, hold on to unforgiveness, or allow our thoughts to be filled with things that do not honor Him.
Little by little, these things can begin to affect our hearts and our relationship with God.
Proverbs 4:23 tells us:
“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” — Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
We have to be intentional about guarding our hearts. The things we allow into our minds and hearts eventually influence the way we live.
I have found that starting my day with thankfulness, prayer, and seeking the Lord helps me keep my heart and mind in the right place. That does not mean every day is perfect or that I always make the right decisions. But when I make time for God and keep Him at the center of my life, it helps me make better choices.
Whether we are talking about our physical health or our spiritual walk, the little things matter. Small, consistent decisions can lead to lasting change.
Everyone’s Journey Is Different
I also want to be clear about something. I understand that everyone’s health journey is different. There are people dealing with serious illnesses and health conditions that are not simply the result of their choices. I have personally experienced the pain of watching someone I love go through a difficult health battle.
My father passed away from cancer in September of 2005. That was a hard journey for our family, and I know there are many others who have experienced similar heartache.
I would never want someone to read this and feel that their health struggles are somehow their fault. That is not what I am saying. We live in a world where sickness and suffering are realities, and not every health condition can be prevented by making better choices.
I am thankful for the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who work hard to help people through these difficult situations. I believe God can work through them to bring help, healing, and encouragement to those who need it.
My purpose in sharing my own journey is simply to encourage others to take care of what they can and not overlook the small things that may make a difference over time.
It’s Never Too Late to Make a Change
One thing I have learned is that the choices we make today can affect us down the road. Developing healthy habits when we are younger can benefit us as we get older, but it is never too late to start making better decisions.
I am not just interested in living longer. I want to be healthy enough to continue serving the Lord, loving my family, encouraging others, and fulfilling the purpose God has for my life.
I want to be useful in the Kingdom of God for as long as He gives me breath. That means taking care of the body He has given me while continuing to grow spiritually and keep my heart right before Him.
This is still a work in progress for me. I have not arrived, and I do not have everything figured out. I am simply trying to be faithful with the choices in front of me each day.
Maybe you have something in your own life that you know needs to change. It could be a physical habit, the way you spend your time, the thoughts you entertain, or something in your relationship with God that you have allowed to slip.
Do not become discouraged because you cannot change everything overnight. Start with the next right decision. Take one step, and then another. Ask God to help you remain consistent, and give yourself grace as you continue moving forward.
It’s often the little things we overlook that can cause the greatest problems, but it’s also the little things we do faithfully that can bring lasting change.
My prayer is that we would learn to be faithful in the small things, both in caring for our physical health and in our walk with the Lord. May we continue to grow in every area of our lives, becoming more like Christ and being ready to fulfill the purpose He has for us.
