Today I’m grateful for the glory of God’s mercy. You see I also struggle with my weight. I’m going to Weight Watchers and have days when I do program better than other days, but I must confess I still do not like the way I look over 44 pounds lighter than when I began. That’s because I have about 100 more to shed. I’m fully aware that this is vanity on my part but I grieve the face and body I once looked at that was so much thinner than this present form before me.
My boyfriend says I’m beautiful and that it grieves him that I feel ugly, mostly because he sees the hurt that causes me. In that he reminds me of my heavenly Father and this quote I got from a devotional:
But no matter how far off the path or how long we are on it, God is patient with us and loves us as a dearly beloved chid – part of His family (Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 4:7).
This reminds me of a touching story shared by my friend Karen Ehman, who lost over one hundred pounds in the first stage of her journey toward health. Her friend, Tammy, saw a “before” picture and was encouraging Karen enthusiastically when Karen’s young son, Spencer, walked in. Tammy said, “Wow, Spencer, can you believe that was your mom? She’s lost so much weight. Doesn’t she look great?” In confusion, he looked back and forth between the photo and Karen and said, “Hmmm, they both look like Mama to me!”.
Out of the mouth of babes.
We are loved as God’s special girls! No matter where you are in your struggle with healthy eating. God looks at you and says, “She still looks like my precious daughter to me!” He loves you just the way you are. But God loves you too much to leave stuck in defeat. You were made for so much more. You were made for victory.
This comes from, “Made to Crave Devotional: 60 Days to Craving God, Not Food” by Lysa Terkeurst.
It’s so good to be reminded that God’s mercy extend into any area of our life that we may be struggling with. Struggle with food? God loves you and in His love He’s unwilling to leave you stuck where you are. Alcohol? God loves you where you are but is unwilling to leave you there. Workaholic? God loves you where you are but is unwilling to leave you there. Shopaholic? God loves you where you are but is unwilling to leave you there. Gambler? God loves you where you are but is unwilling to leave you there. Sexaholic? God loves you where you are but is unwilling to leave you there. Have I made my point yet? It doesn’t matter what you are struggling with even if it is a chemical imbalance in the brain, or diabetes whatever your struggle God loves you and wants you to live at your full potential. Now the last two there is only so much that can be done and then it’s learning to live with it. But both can be helped with healthy eating and exercise.
God in His mercy doesn’t allow us to be stuck where we are in bondage to anything. He wants us to live victoriously. He promises an abundant life and that starts by allowing God to work in our lives and help us out of the muck and mire of our struggles.
Won’t you join me in surrendering our struggles to God and His almighty power. With Him all things are possible including standing clean on firm ground. Wouldn’t you prefer that to the muck and mire of the pit that your struggles currently have you in? I know I would and that is why I cry out; “Abba! Father! Rush to my aide and pull me from the pit and set my feet on firm ground and cleanse me from my sins.”
Let me clarify something before I get angry comments in no way am I inferring that bi-polar disorder or any other chemical imbalance of the brain or diabetes are sins. But if you know that eating healthy and exercise (and I’m talking to myself as well here because I’ve been blessed with both) will help symptoms and we don’t do it, aren’t we sinning? Missing the mark? Missing the best for our bodies? Just something to think about.
Joy – A Fellow Sojourner & A Woman After God’s Own Heart!
Joy's Words of Encouragement 