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People often decide that God loves or doesn't love them based on their behavior or appearance. Human beings love conditionally - and in many cases, those who struggle with weight issues bear the brunt of teasing, ostracizing, or other displays of love loss. But God loves unconditionally. He looks at your heart, not your physical body. Of course, he cares about your health - but whether or not you "live by the dieting rules" doesn't affect His love for you. God wants to give you His best. This includes great health - both internally and externally. He wants you to be healthy spiritually, but He also wants to provide for you psychologically and emotionally. This is the gift of a loving God. He doesn't change.
Some things just don't seem fair, do they? Your friend eats a filet mignon, baked potato with the works, and cheesecake and stays trim. You eat a green salad and gain three pounds. Who can explain it? Instead of giving up when these things occur, we need to learn to take our eyes off of others and focus only on the vessel the Lord has given us. Also, we need to deal with our insecurities and stop comparing ourselves to those around us, which often leads only to envy or other problems. Finally, we need to learn to trust God. How simple this sounds, and yet how difficult it is to do at times. Rest assured, the Lord is in control. He's got big plans for you (pardon the pun!). He wants to use you in mighty ways and needs you to be in good shape to accomplish that. He's not comparing you to others, and neither should you!
This email is from our Bishop--a very practical and Godly man. I think it makes a good "thought for today."
“Are the Foundations Shaking?” – September 30, 2008
Given the vote by Congress to turn down the economic bailout (or rescue plan or whatever it is called), and given the sudden drop of the stock market on Monday, many writers are predicting doom and gloom. Some reporters and economic experts are saying that “the foundations are shaking” – and of course that kind of talk only adds to our sense of demise. The “blame game” provides yet another whole layer of depressing news, and we ordinary citizens are left to wonder if it is all falling apart when politicians are all blaming one another for this failure.
I realize that we are in tough times, and I certainly don’t want to downplay the painful economics that many are feeling. It may well be that we in the US deserve what we are experiencing right now, because we have enjoyed several decades of prosperity which has led many of us into unhealthy patterns of greed and a sense of entitlement.
However, I have real doubts that the “foundations of the world” are shaking. Let me lift up some foundations which seem to be still in place:
1. I noticed that the sun rose again this morning, and the patterns of nature and creation still seem to be in place.
2. I can see that photosynthesis is still operating as plants continue to grow and produce a harvest.
3. When I slipped off my chair at a meeting, I noticed that the law of gravity is still working quite well, and it is good to know that we can depend upon this force to keep us from flying off into space.
4. I am still able to love and to be loved by my spouse, my family, my close friends, and by God. I am grateful that this foundational power is not damaged by the ups and downs of the Dow.
5. Every Sunday when I preach in a different church around Indiana, I discover a congregation of people whose faith is intact and often vibrant. Certainly many of our churches share in the same economic issues which face our nation, but in church after church I still find people whose faith is strong and unshaken.
I could name other “foundations” and I am sure you can, too, but my point is quite simple: don’t panic, don’t assume that the whole world is falling apart, hold fast to your faith and your good sense about life, and don’t let the bad news out of Washington shake your foundations. The foundations of the world belong to God, not to Wall Street, not to the politicians, and not to the economists. As Scripture says (Psalm 104:1-5) Praise the LORD, O my soul. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes winds his messengers, He set the earth on its foundations;
O LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
he stretches out the heavens like a tent
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.
flames of fire his servants.
it can never be moved.
"Making a Difference ... in Indiana and the world"
Temptations abound. All you have to do is turn on the television, and you are inundated with commercials for tasty treats. Driving down the road, you face the challenge of delectable goodies at every turn. What's a person to do! How can you possibly continue to resist when the "good stuff" is staring you in the face every time you turn around!
First you must acknowledge food is not the enemy. One of the reasons we're so tempted to "cheat" is because of our ongoing "Feast or fast" mentality. Instead of giving up every yummy thing, have a little bit of something you love every now and then. That way you won't be tempted to swallow down large portions of high-fat goodies when you to take a tumble. Also, if you're especially tempted by sweets, try keeping ample portions of fruit in the house. Fruit is far better for you and it pacifies your sweet tooth.
There is nothing more exciting than the first few days of healthy eating. The first pounds often fly off, which can be an exhilarating boost to the ego. Remember, the thrill of the journey will not always be this high. Things will not always go as well and your desire will ebb and flow. You will encounter days when you feel like giving up. However, you must never forget the feeling you had the first time you stepped on the scale and saw a lower number, or slipped on a pair of pants and didn't have to strain to get them zipped. The first exciting bit of weight loss can be a tremendous motivator for the rest of the journey.
One decision can change your life. We discovered this when we came to the decision to trust the Lord and place our lives in His hand. One tiny decision can steer us to the right or to the left. That's why it's so important to make a decision - one you can stick with - regarding your eating habits. Years of nondecision can often lead to apathy or a feeling of hopelessness. But it's not too late. You can still decide. Decide to do something about your health today. Don't wait. Once you've made that decision, your body will follow suit. You might be surprised how difficult it isn't, once your mind is made up.
Overeating is often caused by insecurity. We eat to hide what we're really thinking or feeling. How many times have you reached for a cookie or piece of cake to pacify yourself when hurt? Do you run to sweets when you're feeling particularly blue? If so, you might be an emotional eater. Remember, our struggles aren't against flesh and blood; neither are the answers to our struggles in thr realm of flesh and blood. We can't combat spiritual forces with a pastry or a cream puff. If we were to be honest with ourselves we'd have ot admit that, more often than not, we try to solve our emotional dilemmas by eating them away. This type of behavior is not just bad for us, it is sinful. It causes us to reach out to "something" instead of "Someone." In moments of crisis, we must learn to bypass the chocolate chip cookies and reach out to Jesus instead.
***
Find out waht's eating you. If you begin a diet but nevr solve your underlying problems, the weight won't stay off for very long.
Why diet? My body has made it this far, so why bother? Wrestling with guilt and anxiety has never sounded like much fun, and dieting cause both right? Why would I want to do that to myself? I've finally learned to love myself just the way I am. Why change now?
Truthfully, dieting isn't fun. Those who have dieted multiple times only to face failure at the end of their journey know all too well the price the dieters pay. Look up! There is good news. Dieting is not for you. It's not for anyone, in fact. Anything that causes despair, doubt or confusion is not for believers. however, the Lord still expects us to do something about those excess pounds we've been carrying around. He loves us so much, and He wants the very best for His children. That's one of the reasons why he reminds us in His word that our body is a temple - not just for His benefit as the Creator of that temple, but for our own benefit, as well.
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The word dietprobably brings to mind meals of lettuce and cottage cheese. By definition, diet refers to what a person eats or drinks, during the course of a day. A diet that limits portions to a very small size or that excludes certain foods entirely to promote weight loss may not be effective over the long term.
Remove the word diet from your vocabulary and replace it with a term like healthy eating. Remember our journey is a lifestyle change.
Eating too fast. One of the primary reasons we eat too much is simply because we eat too rapidly. We need to slow down and savor every bite. It takes about twenty minutes to get that "full" feeling, so take your time!
How many times do we look at the mountains in our way and give up before the journey begins? "I can't lose weight, because my family won't support me." I can't conquer this demon, because I have to eat out every day." "I'll never be able to do this, because I've been overweight all my life." On and on the list goes.
Don't be tricked into believing your weight is the enemy or that you can't overcome daily obstacles. They are nothing in comparison to our powerful God. Ask the Lord for an increase of faith regarding your eating habits. With His help, those mountains have no choice but to move out of the way!
Original Post by njakamarilyn:
Ask the Lord for an increase of faith regarding your eating habits. With His help, those mountains have no choice but to move out of the way!
I know that this may sound silly to you, but this is how I "bless" my food.
"Lord, just as you satisfy my soul, I am asking you to satisfy the natural woman. In the past, I have allowed my body to consume a larger amount. But today, with your help, I am limiting myself to this healthy amount. Please bless this food for the nourishment to my body so that I may have the strength to do your work. Amen."
When you set out on the road to lose weight and get in shape, you have to be prepared to spend a little money. Eating right isn't cheap. Of course, neither are boxes of chocolates, Rocky Road ice cream, and potato chips. Boneless chicken breasts and fresh fruit now take the place of those things, and though they cost a little more, they're worth it. Eating healthy is more expensive (especially the way our economy is these days), but in the long run, you will discover it is far cheaper and less painful than obesity, heart problems, high cholesterol, joint problems, and other weight-related heatlh problems.
Original Post by njakamarilyn:
When you set out on the road to lose weight and get in shape, you have to be prepared to spend a little money. Eating right isn't cheap. Of course, neither are boxes of chocolates, Rocky Road ice cream, and potato chips. Boneless chicken breasts and fresh fruit now take the place of those things, and though they cost a little more, they're worth it. Eating healthy is more expensive (especially the way our economy is these days), but in the long run, you will discover it is far cheaper and less painful than obesity, heart problems, high cholesterol, joint problems, and other weight-related heatlh problems.
Hi, NJ. My grocery bill went up in the beginning, but now I'm spending less. I can't quite tell why....
I don't buy processed foods anymore (cookies, chips, etc.). If the hubby asks for them, I buy them, but he's trying to eat healthier, too.
I used to spend about $15/week on pop. Now it's about $5.
No bacon or sausage for Sunday morning breakfast--instead, hearty oatmeal and fresh fruit. That saves a lot of money!
And we eat out so much less! When we do, it's usually at Taco Bell which is really cheap!
For me it worked in stages...first I started buying the healthier food. Later I STOPPED buying the unhealthy food. That's when the grocery bill started down.
Hang in there!
Eat breakfast. Did you realize that skipping breakfast causes your body to remain in "Storing fat" mode? When you take that first bite in the morning, the storage stops and your metabolism gets a jolt.
Choose a logical plan. Part of the reason we fail at losing weight and getting into shape is simply because we don't have a strategy. We need guidance from the Lord, and we need to reason with ourselves. What is realistic? Can we keep up with whatever plan we have chosen? Can we afford it? How will others in the family react? Will we be able to eat out on occasion? If we take the time think these things through in advance, we'll stand a far greater chance of seeing things through till the end.
Sometimes, we bite off a little more than we can chew (pardon the pun), especially when it comes to controlling our weight. We decide to take off a few pounds and we're convinced we can do it quickly and effectively, so we rapidly jump into the latest plan of action. Unfortunately, we often try to do too much too quickly. We want to lose a lot of weight - fast. We want to impress an old friend we haven't seen in years (class reunions are notorious for this mindset). It takes a while to figure out that getting into shape takes time. If we set small attainable goals, we will be more likely to achieve them. Setting large, unrealistic goals is a surefire setup for failure.
Original Post by njakamarilyn:
Sometimes, we bite off a little more than we can chew (pardon the pun), especially when it comes to controlling our weight. We decide to take off a few pounds and we're convinced we can do it quickly and effectively, so we rapidly jump into the latest plan of action. Unfortunately, we often try to do too much too quickly. We want to lose a lot of weight - fast. We want to impress an old friend we haven't seen in years (class reunions are notorious for this mindset). It takes a while to figure out that getting into shape takes time. If we set small attainable goals, we will be more likely to achieve them. Setting large, unrealistic goals is a surefire setup for failure.
\o/ Amen ~ Amen ~ Amen \o/
I agree 100%. This reminds me of what my mother said at the start of this Lifestyle change / Journey. She reminded me that I didn't gain this weight over night and I most definitely was not going to take it off over night (short of a miracle from God). I did this to myself and I am going to have to take it off myself. Now God is there to help me if I ask. But God helps those who helps themselves.
Setting up mini goals also helps tear down the years of self abuse. And yes (in most cases), we are abusing the bodies that God gave us for HIS Glory. We are the Temple of the Holy Ghost. If we abuse ourselves, then we are (in a sense) abusing God.
Please don't get me wrong. I'm NOT trying to make anyone feel bad or try to tear down anyone's self esteem. I am trying to give a different perspective on the subject.
Love and Peace to You - We are in this together.
Denna
Trying to lose weight quickly will surely come back just as quickly. You will stand a better chance of keeping the weight off if you lose it slowly. Don't be discouraged at a weight loss of only a pound or two a month. By the end of the year, you'll be twelve to twenty-four pounds lighter, and you will probably stay that way!
Support is critical to getting into shape. We need the help of our friends, family, and fellow healthy eaters. We need the encouragement of others who are trying to do what we're doing - get in shape and improve our health. Some "life support" ideas include the following: join a local support group and an on-line group. Calorie Count has many tools that a local group cannot provide plus daily, minute-by-minute encouragement and advice. Someone told me about www.fitday. I have not checked this out but the more tools (education) the better the success.
Temptations abound. All you have to do is turn on the television, and you're inundated with commercials for tasty treats. Driving down the road, you face the challenge of delectable goodies at every turn. What's a person to do? How can you possibly continue to resist when "the good stuff" is staring you in the face every time you turn around?
First, you must acknowledge that food is not the enemy. One of the reasons we're so tempted to "cheat" is because of our ongoing "feast or fast" mentality. Instead of giving up every yummy thing, have a little bit of something you love every now and then. That way you won't be so tempted to swallow down large portions of high-fat goodies when you do take a tumble. Also, if you're especially tempted by sweets, try keeping ample portions of fruit in the house. Fruit is far better for you and it pacifies your sweet tooth.
What type of food should not be eaten?
Calorie Count does not prescribe a particular diet or tell people to avoid particular foods. We only ask that you eat a balanced diet... Read more
