I used to think that being a Christian meant following a bunch of rules …
- Don’t wear too much makeup.
- Don’t wear that low cut dress.
- Be sure to say, “…, if the Lord wills” after everything I say.
- Go to church every Sunday.
You know the deal.
The problem is, I always fake it. I had a different set of rules for my church life vs my work life vs my personal life. I felt like I had to keep them all in separate boxes and to always be on eggshells not to mix them up. Talk about bondage.
Slowly, as I grow in my faith, I’m learning that it’s not about what I do or don’t do that matters. God truly wants my heart. He wants me to trust him in ALL circumstances and He wants me to come to Him each and every day in faith.
You can also apply these same principles to your health and weight releasing goals. You can either focus on what to eat or not eat, what exercises to do and how many calories you need to have, or you can submit this entire journey to God and trust Him to guide you on this journey.
Here are three ways that you can stop all of your legalism and short-sightedness around weight loss and let your faith be your guide.
Focus on renewing your mind instead of changing your behaviors. Romans 12:2
When people start a weight loss program, they immediately try to stop themselves from eating all the foods they’re accustomed to eating even though they have not been successful in the past. They try to start exercising even though they despise exercise. Their focus is all on what they’re doing instead of who they’re being. This strategy rarely works.
Let your faith guide you in renewing your mind in the Lord. Let Him know your struggles and let Him change the way you think. As you change your thinking, new behaviors will naturally follow.
Focus on taking action towards a solution instead of focusing on the problem. Psalm 139:23-24
Many of us are always in people fix-it mode. We spend countless hours analyzing, scrutinizing, praying, and meditating on what our problem is. We then meticulously count calories, join various groups, boot camps, and fitness clubs but still can’t stick to these initiatives because we have not addressed the root of what keeps us in the cycle we’re in. Once you begin to focus on the root, then you’ll begin to solve your weight loss problem. The only one that can give you that depth of understanding that you need to get to the root of why you do what you do, and then give you the willingness, capacity, and strength to overcome it permanently, is our Lord.
Let your faith guide you. Look to the Lord for solutions instead of being focused on your problems and circumstances.
Focus on long-term success for your body, mind, and spirit instead of on quick fixes. 2 Corinthians 10:5
Which would make you feel better–hearing that you will lose the weight in a month, or in a year or two? Of course the former. Yet history tells us that it will not work. Our memories are short when it comes to our previous attempts at weight loss–Garnicia Cambodia, Raspberry Ketones, and Metformin–all make great claims of fast weight loss, but if you read the fine print, you’ll learn the real truth. There is no short-cut to weight loss. It takes a commitment to get to the root of the problem, coupled with daily consistent action.
Let your faith guide you to see how the Lord wants to use your health and weight loss journey to shape your entire life. Realize that it’s not just about the number on the scale. It’s about your entire life: your legacy, your identity, your purpose.
Where are you struggling with your weight loss journey? Does legalism and being focused on your needs continue to have a hold on you? Submit your life to the loving and capable hands of your heavenly Father and allow Him to reveal to you the path to freedom. Notice how you’re still making this journey about yourself and fix your focus. Let your faith guide you out of the crazy weight loss hamster wheel into trusting God to lead your weight loss journey.
P.S. if you are tired of circling the same mountain over and over and want a Christ-centered approach to lasting weight loss without feeling guilty, deprived, or overwhelmed, be sure to sign up for our video course program right away at cathymorenzie.com
4 Comments
Still trying to get to the root!
Sounds so good in theory. Difficult to do.
This is good but hard.
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