Words of Wisdom

If you are a Christian woman who has ever struggled with weight-loss issues, PLEASE click over and read this post. 

I can’t tell you how much this post spoke to my soul this morning.  If you are like me, perhaps you have allowed your struggle to reach the perfect (or acceptable) BMI affect your spiritual growth.  After all, our body is a temple, right?  If we do not demonstrate self-control and allow our bodies to be overweight, this is a spiritual issue, right?  Well, in some cases, maybe.  But in a lot of cases, I don’t think so. 

If excess weight is a result of idolizing food, turning to food as a comfort instead of turning to our Savior in times of stress, perhaps this could be considered a spiritual issue.  It’s definitely something to consider if you find yourself gorging on unhealthy foods, then feeling burdened with guilt and depression.  I would encourage these women to cast their burdens upon the Lord and trust Him to provide comfort rather than turning to food to provide a temporary comfort.

However, I believe that there are many women out there who experience difficulty losing/maintaining weight from causes other than spiritual issues.  These might include side effects from medication, thyroid problems, PCOS, genetic predisposition, inactivity due to injury, and various other medical conditions.  I honestly believe that Satan can use these issues to affect our growth and relationship with the Lord.  Feelings of false guilt, anger, and self-doubt can have destructive effects on our ability to worship and walk with God. 

On a personal level, I have struggled with both issues at one time or another.  I decided to make a change in my eating habits a few weeks ago in order to lose weight and get healthier.  After reading this post today, I am encouraged to not let the number on the scale be a spiritual discouragement. 

If you are a woman who has tried over and over again to lose weight…you know every diet forwards and backwards…you become overly emotionally involved in your weight…you are spiritually discouraged in your lack of “self-control”…take heart!  First, take a good, long look at what you want your “ideal” weight to be.  Is it realistic?  Are you trying to judge yourself by what America considers beautiful?  Second, cast your burdens on the Lord and do not let Satan grab hold of your discouragement.  Instead of meditating and always thinking of your weight, meditate and think on things of Christ.  Don’t allow the number on the scale to be a gauge of your spiritual contentment in the Lord.

I am so blessed to have a husband who thinks I am beautiful no matter what.  He has been so encouraging to me over the last few weeks with my new eating/exercise plan.  And, he makes me feel attractive during the times that I am most discouraged.  I realize that many women don’t have this kind of support.  Perhaps your husband or family even expresses disgust at your size.  I would encourage you to run to the open arms of our Savior and find peace and acceptance with Him.  Pray for the discernment to do what is healthiest for your body while not allowing your bathroom scale to take such a stronghold on your heart. 

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”   Philippians 4:8