Self-Image

Psalm 139:13-16 

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Weight loss is a journey that many people embark on. Most people, in fact, have spent their lives trying to lose that 5, 10, or 15 lbs. And many of those people have even more to lose - 40, 50, even 100 pounds or more.

And many of these people, again I will venture to say "most", are unsuccessful for the long term. People on diets or eating plans often lose will power and go back to their original way of eating. People who have had weight loss surgery often find ways to "eat around" their bypass or lap-band.

Even I have been unsuccessful in my journey.

Of course this leaves one feeling dejected, heartbroken, worthless. We see ourselves as failures, and often as unworthy of love. I am guilty of this.

But there is one thing that many dieters don't realize.

Until we can accept who we are, as wonderfully made in God's image, we will not be successful. It is our dependence on the Lord that will help us in this journey.

Of course we know the way to salvation is through Jesus Christ. But the way to health? YES.

WE ARE HUMAN. WE ARE INHERENTLY WEAK AND CANNOT FACE THIS BATTLE ON OUR OWN.

As Christians, we have admitted our weaknesses to God, and have admitted to ourselves that we can't do other things without His help. Why is weight-loss any different?

ONLY BY LEANING ON HIM, CAN WE BE DELIVERED FROM OUR WEAKNESS.

2 Corinthians 12:9 

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

WE ARE WEAK, BUT HE IS STRONG

Try this for a week - when you are tempted to eat after you are already full, pray.

When you are tempted to eat when you are not hungry, pray.

When you are tempted to eat that entire pint of Ben and Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch in your freezer, PRAY.

PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY

The Bible tells us to "Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:16), this means in every aspect of our lives.

We are "Wonderfully and fearfully made" in the Lord. When we start seeing ourselves as such, and start praying always, as commanded, then, and only then can we be 100% successful.

And remember, it's not about being THIN. It's about being HEALTHY and being the people GOD wants us to be.