“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.”

(James 4:17, KJV)

 

A few years ago, I had an awakening; I woke up to see that I was still overweight. The sad part about it is that; I had been battling with being overweight for 29 years. I say that I was able to see it because; that’s the day when I became fully aware of it, not so much of the weight, but of the reason for it. It’s not like I didn’t notice it before, and have tried to overcome it many, many, many times before. But this time something clicked. When the revelation came to me, I went to my Father in prayer. Initially, I went to complain about being overweight and then I ended up trying to explain about being overweight. After I was done, He asked, “So, when did you go back to eating what you want?”

 

I thought, “Lord, what are you talking about?” And He explained that, “Being overweight has become your lifestyle by choice, it didn’t happen by accident; you have been choosing to maintain an unhealthy way of eating for 29 years.”

 

I still didn’t quite comprehend until He said, “When you decided to eat what you wanted instead of what you know nurtures and nourishes your body, that’s when you chose to remain overweight and unhealthy.”

 

That got my attention because I know what to do, and how to do it. I’ve done it before and dropped the weight. I’ve taken the time to train in nutritional balance, but I’ve neglected to practice it continuously; and therefore, I haven’t been reaping the benefits from the wisdom. And furthermore, I was sinning. The bible says, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins” (James 4:17, KJV).

 

After spending some time meditating on what He said to me, I came to the understanding that; I simply cannot eat, nor do anything that I want. I was not created to have my way. Even when my body is craving sugar that I know I’m allergic to, I can’t have my way. Even when I really want to eat out, I can’t have my way. And when I’m bored and wanting to snack my way through it, I still can’t have my way.

 

God has not designed my body to take in junk food and excess calories and thrive; it’s just not going to happen. So, in taking inventory, I’ve noticed that when I eat what is nurturing and nourishing to my body, it responds by shedding the excess pounds. Another byproduct of nurturing and nourishing my body is increased energy and clarity in my thinking. The most fascinating benefit that I’ve noticed is that; I’m not thinking about or craving food all day long, it does not master me.

 

After I revisited the weight loss story for the ump-teenth time, I have finally realized that; my health comes not from my ability to get it right, but to do it right. I have struggled for years trying to overcome obesity in my own strength, when all I really needed to do was be obedient to God’s wisdom. 

 

Years ago, God taught me what to do, how to do it, when to do it and why. But like others who have failed at the diet thing, I would start a healthy eating plan but never finish it; I would return to eating what I wanted instead of what is right for me. And that’s when I would hear a knock on the door of my conscience; it was failure. And usually he would take me to go meet up with guilt and condemnation, and then we would go to the house of pity; who would always throw a party and invite me to celebrate defeat, with pain and suffering leading the festivities.

 

The world will tell us that we can eat to our heart’s content, but when I do that; five minutes after the feast; I’m sick and tired and needing a nap. For me understanding that I don’t have the right to eat anything and everything because it’s not God’s best for me, really helped me. God has a prescribed way of living in every area of life; including what is best for my body; which is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

 

God declares that I should, “Be holy as He is holy,” (1 Peter 1:5) & (Lev. 11:44-45) and “Walk in the Spirit so that I will not fulfill the lustful desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).

 

I’ve noticed that when I keep my mind stayed on Jesus; I don’t give into the temptation of the devil. And when I keep my mind stayed on Jesus; I’m able to drop the excess weight easily, because food is not my comforter. But as soon as I take my mind off Jesus and put it back on me; that’s when I return to having my way; which results in me hanging out with failure, pity, defeat, pain and needless suffering from overeating.

 

By keeping my mind stayed on Jesus; I get to see myself through His eyes. Then my weaknesses are diminished, and my strengths are magnified. And the only master I have is the One that loves me.

 

Let’s not become slaves to sin, when we can become victorious in righteousness. Having our way is not God’s way; so, let’s turn around and follow Him, and He will lead us to victory. Be Blessed and Victorious!!!

 

Prayer:

Father, You, know the thing I struggle with the most, and You also know the reason. Show me, what You see. Expose the emotional issues that have caused me to turn to anything, when I should only be turning to You for comfort and the healing of my soul. Strengthen me emotionally the same way you have spiritually, so that I can do my portion to strengthen myself physically in Your wisdom. Thank You for making me in Your image and likeness. I only want to look and be like You. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.