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| (Picture from livestrong.com) |
What
an honor to be asked to share a guest blog for Positively Debbie! She never
ceases to amaze me with her courage, tenacity and determination. She continues
to inspire me and encourage me in my fitness journey as I watch her push
forward with hers.
It’s
not just about weight loss, but that seems to be where we measure it the most.
For me, it’s clearly about what I do and don’t put into my mouth; that’s where
my weakness seems to triumph over me, daily.
I
tend to look at things through the mirror of parallels – what’s going on around
me spiritually while I take part in what’s going on around me physically?
My
weight loss pendulum swings far to the heavy side, at the moment. As I age, it’s
quite tempting to blame the advancing years for the slowing down of my body. It’s
also easy to blame my emotions for the Doritos and pizza my mouth craves.
I’ve
read some terrific books over the years (here’s a great one: - Made to Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst).
And,
I’ve met some fabulous encouragers, those who’ve gone before me in this fitness
journey, and met it with success. Debbie is one of those who’ve faced the
battles, though different in appearance from my own, the roots are the same.
Among
so many things, we face loneliness (empty nest syndrome), sadness (the absence
of loved ones), hormonal fluctuations, boredom, and an overall emptiness that
longs to be filled.
The
way I see it, the deciding factor for reaching our fitness goals is simply: with
what do I fill my gaping voids?
Another great book? I AM, by Michele Chusatt
Sometimes,
I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m a Christian, because too often, there’s a lack
of evidence with which I could be convicted as such. I feel like many could
judge me and say, “If this God of yours truly loves you, why doesn’t He help
you with these important areas of life struggles?”
And
that’s just the kind of thing the enemy tries to silence me with, not being a
good example before my fellow strugglers.
But,
the blame lies with me. Enough of this banter that says, “…it’s not your fault…”
Indeed, most of the time, it IS my fault. I get to choose whether
I listen to the voice of logic and reason that tells me the bag of Doritos I’ve
hidden for myself is the wrong place to go for validation and acceptance. I
know in my heart, that God has already validated my heart, and has
unconditionally accepted me, blemishes and all. He waits eagerly to meet my
every need. He longs to be my source, for everything. Better yet, He loves me –
always has, always will.
Yet…
I too often seek refuge in a salty snack. Why? I suppose if I had all the
answers, my book would be the next best seller and I wouldn’t have a weight
loss care in the world.
The
answers that I know will truly work, are those answers that have worked for me
in the past:
*Get
my eyes on Jesus, not on the weight scale. What we look at determines what
fills our minds. Is my mind on God? Or on that little digital number that can
ruin my day?
*Turn
to the Bible before I lunge for the snacks. Most often, the desire for the
snack disappears. My focus determines my actions.
*Get
my praise on! Don’t listen to sad, sappy love songs where the songwriter ended
up on the losing end of things!
*Listen
to what God says about me, not what the world tries to force down my throat. I AM
worthy of love, I AM accepted and justified, through Jesus Christ! Gone are the
days of shame, Jesus has washed me clean of all that. The enemy of my soul
loves to drag me down with his lies and a big bag of chips.
*Recognize:
I GET
TO CHOOSE. With every single choice presented to me throughout my day,
I get to choose my response.
*My
go-to passage in the Bible: Philippians 4:4-8 – Think on the good things!
Of
course, eating clean and moving more are pivotal, but, we have to get to a
place where we recognize that we deserve to eat clean and move our
bodies. The lie that it’s just not worth it, we’re just not worth it –
is the chain that binds us to unhealthy habits (whether it’s overeating, or
overconsumption of alcohol or any other addiction that tempts us).
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| (Picture from Pinterest.com) |
Thank
you for hearing my “points to ponder”.
Here’s
a poem I wrote a few years back while seeing the weight scale greet me with
pleasantries each morning. But, it’s true, even when the scale is mean to me.
Perhaps you didn’t hear me when I said I’d lose this
weight
I meant it when I said it and you cannot change my
fate
In Jesus’ Name I cast down any morbid enemy
that would try to take my freedom
and my grace away from me
I rebuke you, I resist you and you cannot steal my day
I choose this day Whom I shall serve,
and I shall serve His Way
I choose to live and not to die, I’ll walk a life of
faith
I choose to lose the extra weight I’ve carried and I
hate
In Jesus’ Name I’ll not give in to worldly ways and
whine
I’ll not go running back to food for comfort for my
mind
The God that made the universe and holds it in His
Hands
Can surely take me through this trial into the
promised lands
My mind’s made up, I’ve turned my face
away from earth’s rewards
I’ll draw upon my GOD as I take up His trusty Sword
I’ll fight the battle to be fought and know that I
will win
His Sword is filled with Living Words
that keep my soul from sin
His Word will build me up
and keep me from the snares of man
He’ll fill me up with all I need -as only Jesus can
He Himself said meat is just to do His Father’s Will
He is the Bread of Life and will sustain me ever still
I’m living proof that Jesus truly saves, forgives and
keeps
He’ll sanctify me daily as I yield my heart so deep
The wounds that I have carried for so many haunting
years
Are healed in Jesus’ Precious Name, erased with all my
fears.
~Helen Williams! c 2002
