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Several of you have been asking about the diet and how I'm doing. Well, I reached my goal weight about a month ago. I guess I should have posted about it earlier but reaching my goal weight became sort of a non-event once there.
I am so happy to have shed close to 30 pounds since April.
But my real celebration isn't over the smaller clothing size and reduced numbers on the scale. My real celebration is over the spiritual insights I've gained while losing the weight.
For me, this has been a spiritual journey. A significant spiritual journey with great physical benefits. I have learned so much.
But probably one of the richest lessons has been realizing the amount of mental and spiritual energy I wasted for years just wishing things would change. All the while beating myself up for not having the discipline for making those changes.
If you have an issue with weight and food, you know what I mean. But no matter what issue you are currently dealing with, can I offer a bit of encouragement? Jesus wants to help you with that issue. He really does. But you've got to stop beating yourself up about it and determine to follow His lead.
Have you ever looked at other people and thought to yourself, “How does everyone else have it all together? And why is it I seem to have so many issues?”
We like to identify our shortcomings, form them into a club, and beat the tar out of ourselves mentally. Over and over and over again. We label ourselves and soon lose our real identity to the beaten and bruised fragility we call “me.”
We compare, we assume, we assess, we measure and most times walk away shaking our head at how woefully short our “me” falls as compared to everyone else. How dangerous it is to hold up the intimate knowledge of our imperfections against the outside packaging of others.
If there is one thing that living 40 years has taught me it’s this… all God’s girl have issues. All of us. Every single one of us. We haul around a bucket load of issues. My issues bucket is probably full of different junk then yours, but it’s there none the less.
Now, hear me out.
I’m not saying victory isn't possible. It is.
I can make the choice to identify my shortcomings and instead of using them against myself, I hand them over to Jesus and let Him chisel my rough places. The grace-filled way Jesus chisels is so vastly different than the way I beat on myself. My beatings are full of exaggerated lies that defeat. His chiseling is full of truth that sets me free.
Oh what a difference.
Jesus doesn't compare.
Jesus doesn't condemn.
Jesus doesn't exaggerate.
He simply says, “Hey, I love you. I love you just how you are. But, I love you too much to leave you stuck in this. So, let’s work on it together.”
I like that about Jesus.
I like that a lot.
Tomorrow I'll be sharing some verses that helped me to see where Jesus wanted to lead me during my weight loss journey. These verses helped change my perspective about food and once I changed my thinking, I found the strength to change my habits.
But, I'd also like to answer any questions you might have... so let's make this a discussion. Post your thoughts, concerns, personal struggles or victories, and questions and let's chat it up sisters.
Happy Monday.
Several of you have been asking about the diet and how I'm doing. Well, I reached my goal weight about a month ago. I guess I should have posted about it earlier but reaching my goal weight became sort of a non-event once there.
I am so happy to have shed close to 30 pounds since April.
But my real celebration isn't over the smaller clothing size and reduced numbers on the scale. My real celebration is over the spiritual insights I've gained while losing the weight.
For me, this has been a spiritual journey. A significant spiritual journey with great physical benefits. I have learned so much.
But probably one of the richest lessons has been realizing the amount of mental and spiritual energy I wasted for years just wishing things would change. All the while beating myself up for not having the discipline for making those changes.
If you have an issue with weight and food, you know what I mean. But no matter what issue you are currently dealing with, can I offer a bit of encouragement? Jesus wants to help you with that issue. He really does. But you've got to stop beating yourself up about it and determine to follow His lead.
Have you ever looked at other people and thought to yourself, “How does everyone else have it all together? And why is it I seem to have so many issues?”
We like to identify our shortcomings, form them into a club, and beat the tar out of ourselves mentally. Over and over and over again. We label ourselves and soon lose our real identity to the beaten and bruised fragility we call “me.”
We compare, we assume, we assess, we measure and most times walk away shaking our head at how woefully short our “me” falls as compared to everyone else. How dangerous it is to hold up the intimate knowledge of our imperfections against the outside packaging of others.
If there is one thing that living 40 years has taught me it’s this… all God’s girl have issues. All of us. Every single one of us. We haul around a bucket load of issues. My issues bucket is probably full of different junk then yours, but it’s there none the less.
Now, hear me out.
I’m not saying victory isn't possible. It is.
I can make the choice to identify my shortcomings and instead of using them against myself, I hand them over to Jesus and let Him chisel my rough places. The grace-filled way Jesus chisels is so vastly different than the way I beat on myself. My beatings are full of exaggerated lies that defeat. His chiseling is full of truth that sets me free.
Oh what a difference.
Jesus doesn't compare.
Jesus doesn't condemn.
Jesus doesn't exaggerate.
He simply says, “Hey, I love you. I love you just how you are. But, I love you too much to leave you stuck in this. So, let’s work on it together.”
I like that about Jesus.
I like that a lot.
Tomorrow I'll be sharing some verses that helped me to see where Jesus wanted to lead me during my weight loss journey. These verses helped change my perspective about food and once I changed my thinking, I found the strength to change my habits.
But, I'd also like to answer any questions you might have... so let's make this a discussion. Post your thoughts, concerns, personal struggles or victories, and questions and let's chat it up sisters.
Happy Monday.
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