Planning Instructions
Each Sunday, after completing your Assessment of the previous week, there are two parts in planning your Therapeutic Lifestyle Change for the coming week. To get started:
- Print the blank TLC Score Card for the current week of your TLC Program.
Part 1: Review the Components for your current week's TLC Program.
- Review the criteria for each Element of each Component.
- Consider how easy or difficult the changes were over the previous week for you to accomplish.
- Consider to what degree you intend to maintain or increase your Scores (lifestyle changes) for this week.
- Be realistic about your progress. There will always be room for improvement.
- Focus on your progress by faith, but add to that your commitment and determination.
- Do not look for excuses regarding your personal limitations, lack of social support, or previous difficulties.
- Your primary goal is in learning how to trust God and to surrender your will completely to Christ at all times and in all circumstances.
- As your faith grows by exercising it day-by-day, Christ is able to strengthen you through His empowering grace.
- Fill-in the blanks on your TLC Score Card for the Elements of your previous Components.
Part 2: Preview the new Component for your TLC Program.
- Preview the criteria for each Element of the new Component for the current week.
- More detailed instructions for each Element are given when you start implementing the new Component.
- Don't worry about doing everything perfectly on day one of the new week. Do the best you can and keep trying.
- Before you make a health-related choice (or any choice), ask: What has God already decided about this for me to do?
- Ignore all the negative thoughts that your old self will argue against the Way, the Truth, and the Life that God wants you to have.
- Do your best to adhere to the recommended criteria for each Element with as much joy and gratitude in Christ as you can.
- Staying in "constant communion" with Christ throughout the day guarantees your success.
Revelation 12:10-12a - 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren (Satan) is cast down (has been conquered), who accused [you] before [your] God day and night (continually). 11 And they (believers) overcame him (Satan's temptations) by the blood of the Lamb (by Christ living in them), and by the word of their (the believers') testimony (demonstration of victory over sin); and they loved not their [old, sinful] lives unto the death. 12a Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
Galatians 5:24-25 - 24 And they that are Christ's (abide in Christ) have crucified the flesh (their sinful nature) with the affections and lusts (for worldly things). 25 If we live in the Spirit (have been reborn spiritually), let us also walk (live and grow) in the Spirit (spiritually).
Luke 9:23 - And he (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after (follow, become like) me, let him deny himself (deny his sinful will and sinful ways), and take up his cross (die to self) daily, and follow (believing in) me (and trusting in God).
Commit to using your Score Card to record your efforts every day.