I have a trainer that spent an hour with me today in the pool, trying to get me to learn how to kick properly, breath without drinking the pool, and the right way to use my arms. At the end of the hour I understood what I was doing wrong but felt no closer to getting it right than when I began. It was truly a lesson in humility.
My trainer had every opportunity to get frustrated with me, even angry, but she didn’t. She was patient and kind and showed me again what it was that I was doing opposed to what it was that she was trying to get me to do. It got me thinking, isn’t that like our Heavenly Father? Just because we don’t get it right the first or third time, He doesn’t give up on us but mercifully guides us in the way He wants us to go.
He is the true source of all the power, unlike the trainer who can lead you but leaves it up to you to get it in the end. God fills us with His power and asks us to rely on and trust Him to get us through things.
“[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” – Philippians 2:13
I have struggled with my weight all my life. Either I thought I was too fat when I was not or when the doctors told me I could no longer purge but if I had to binge to handle what I was going through emotionally go ahead and binge. That permission got me up to 350 pounds with God’s help, Weight Watchers, and exercise I’m down to 241. I still have a long way to go to reach my goal of a healthy body weight. I don’t know what that is but I know what I want it to look like toned in every area of my body.
My biggest struggle is when the depression comes. You see I’m bi-polar and when I’m in a manic phase my eating is not a problem, neither is my exercise, other than not overdoing it. When depression comes, however, eating becomes a problem one of two things happen. 1. I don’t want to eat. 2. All I want to eat is candy or other junk. This is where the passage above has hit me between the eyes.
When I’m in depression one of the things that I do is to not spend time with God. To be honest I veg out in front of the TV. But I’m realizing one for my weight loss and as a diabetic I need to rely on God to get me through the bad times. I need to cry out to Him like a hurt child cries out to her daddy for comfort, compassion strength and protection. I know if I’ll only humble myself I’ll be blessed with God’s presence in my life and His love engulfing me.
I need to stop trying to dig myself out of the pit of depression. It is a useless effort on my part. I haven’t the tools. Yes I can spend time with friends and get out of the house and get some sun, and journal. All tools that have been suggested to me and to an extent can help some but they aren’t the ultimate answer. That answer is found when I humbly turn to the Father, seeking His help and guidance. Learning to trust Him in all things and stand in that trust.
I love the acronym for FROG. Fully Rely On God. That is what I need to be doing in good times and bad times, Fully Relying On God.
If you struggle with bi-polar or depression or are going through a period in your life when the world just seems dark, let me encourage you that letting go of what has you down and not trying to do it all on your own, will ease your burden. What will make it bearable is to give it to God. Ask for His power to do whatever it is you can not do on your own. The peace that comes from turning it over to Him is amazing and such a blessing. Please don’t miss out on it.
Joy's Words of Encouragement 