Does God care what I weigh? Does it really matter to Him what I eat, how much, and how often?
O how much I have tried to not even ask those questions! But when I did actually contemplate it, I was quickly comforted by the answer, "No. God doesn't look at outward appearances, but at the heart." - (I Samuel 16:7) His words, not mine. Whew, what a relief!
Because I answered those questions like that, I kept that part of my life (no small part) away from God. I didn't pray about it because I believed/felt it was too self-centered. I told myself, I shouldn't because I ought not to use God as a diet-gimmick. So I just tried to deal with this all on my own - and failed miserably.
When I lost weight in 2008-09, I gave God glory and praise as the weight began coming off. I marveled at how quickly my body healed and was strengthened - this marvelous creation of God. But I was not consciously relying on God's strength to accomplish weight loss or make the life-style changes necessary. It was me and Weight Watchers. When I reached my goal weight, I publicly and privately thanked and praised God for the blessing of a well-functioning body and the grace
to enjoy it again despite how I had abused my body for years.
Then very quickly the weight began to creep back on.
No, let me try again and be more honest: Then very quickly I started making poor eating/food choices and, naturally, I gained weight.
What I have learned through this is the correct/true answer to the above questions is "Yes" - MY weight, what and how much I eat does matter to God. And I know for ME this truly is a matter of faith and obedience. It is wrong to keep God out of this one area of my life - especially since it is so destructive to me. So I have decided to no longer keep Him locked out of this part of my life. I have never attempted to lose weight as an act of submissive obedience to His will, but that is exactly what God is bidding me to do.
Yes, the Lord did say that He doesn't look at outward appearance but at the heart, but He also said, "by their fruits you shall know them" (Matt. 7:16). As much as I have tried to deny it, my body does reveal that I haven't lived in submission to God's will regarding how I relate to the gift of food. Contemplating that truth puts a new spin on some familiar scriptures. Here's how I see Romans 12:1 relating to this topic.
Romans 12:1,
"I beseech ye therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Message to me: I am commanded to present my body to God
as a living and holy sacrifice.
- Living: It is my responsibility to care for my body so that it LIVES. If I know that the choices I make for my body are destructive, deadly, then I am guilty of disrespecting one of the greatest gifts God has given me--an amazing, human body.
- Holy: "Set apart for God's use; dedicated to God". God has made me holy in Christ Jesus. . . that includes my body. It is now set apart, dedicated to God. I do not want to profane what is holy, for that is a fearful and presumptuous thing.
- Acceptable to God: Not all sacrifices are acceptable to God--under the Law the body-sacrifices had to be healthy, whole, and without blemish. Is that what I present to God when I present Him my body? Or am I giving him a defiled offering?
- Reasonable: This is not too much or unreasonable for God to demand. It is logical that even my body is to be offered to him; He created me with soul and body, why should it surprise me that He is concerned with how I use and treat my body?
- Service: The Greek word translated "service" means "service to God" and is often translated as "worship" (bow before) I serve, I worship, I bow before God when I take care of my body so that it can be presented to him for his use as a LIVING, HOLY, and ACCEPTABLE sacrifice.
And in this way I also shall Live for His Glory.
Excellent article!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kirby!
ReplyDeleteThis is something I really needed to read this morning. Weight has always been a struggle for me, too, and not one that I include God in. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got something from it!
DeleteVery good. I hope just a little of your faith and dedication seep through to me. Your faith and devotion are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mom!
ReplyDeleteGreat Insight Cyndi! I am so proud of you and inspired by you. Watching you lose so much weight last time was so exciting and this time is the same....but I have a feeling that if you stick to this path, you will stick to a Healthy lifestyle that will take you thru the rest of your earthly journey. We are here for you and are so blessed you are here for us! I love you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, my Weight Watcher leader! I appreciate all your encouragement and the fact you never give up on me!
ReplyDeleteThis is also a question I have avoided asking/researching because I feared the answer. I guess now I can't claim ignorance since you've laid it out so clearly. Oy! Of all my bad choices and things/decisions of lack of self control, food has always been THE hardest to tame and the easiest to justify. We all have to eat, right? :o) But it is by far the one constant in my life that has controlled my mind, body and soul more than anything else.
ReplyDeleteFood has been my life long companion when I've had no one else, it has been my best friend when I needed someone, it has been there to help celebrate my triumphs as well as comforted me when I was broken.
But alas, it has also been my worst enemy, or should I say the excess weight has been my worst enemy. It has caused me to have to alter my life as I've been unable to physically do so many things I want to do and so many take for granted of being able to do. It has impacted my health for most of my life in ways that I am just now confronting. It has isolated me and broken my cheerful spirit and made me feel "less than" and unworthy more times in my life than I care to admit...even to myself.
Funny, in a sad not really funny sort of way, that when I am at my most frustrated and disgusted with myself and my body, I reach for food to comfort me. What a sickness!! But I've lost weight, I know it's possible. I know I can control what I eat, how much I eat and that I can exercise.....and actually feel an amazing sense of pride and strength more than any other time of my life. Sad that I forget that and just get back to the lazy/easy way of life.
Thanks for yet another inspiring post. Love you!
I definitely relate to everything you wrote, Kaye. Thinking about your last paragraph it is like an abused woman staying with and turning to her abuser for comfort. Sickness indeed!! I want to get well and to live this way for the rest of my life. I am tired of food/weight having too much of a role in defining me. Thanks for taking time to comment and dialoguing with me. Love you!
ReplyDelete