My Diet, My Faith

I have probably tried almost any diet that has come down the hatch.

Cabbage Soup, Grapefruit, High Protein Low Carb, High Carb Low Protein, Vegetarian, Banana, Weight Watcher...and the list goes on.

I hesitate to write this because as I write, it puts spotlight to my struggle...and who wants that?! If you know me at all, you know the last thing I want to do is acknowledge or focus on my faults, my weaknesses. Ick...feeling a little shiver rise in me as I even say this!

However, today, I came to a conclusion I felt needed to be shared.

There are diets. Every diet is a successful diet as long as you stay on it. If you only eat certain things for a period of time, whatever they may be, you will lose weight. However, in walks real life and you find yourself "straying" from the "diet". Birthday parties with yummy cake, Christmas time with lots of parties and social "eating" times, difficulties that cause you to reach for something delicious to "comfort" your soul...(we all know that doesn't work, but feels good at the time). So, you leave whatever that "diet" says to do and you find yourself gaining not only what you've lost, but a few more on top of it...(can I get an "amen" somewhere, please!?) Your body is starving for something more...balance.

The only successful "diet plan", is a life change plan. Something that changes you from the inside out. Something that allows you to be sturdy when the things come along to trip you up.

Similar to those "fad diets", there are "fad religions". We can "do" all that looks good on the outside. Follow all the "rules" of the day. Go to church. Clean up our language (in front of people). Watch "appropriate shows". Support the right things. "Do" all that is required of us to "look" like genuine strong religious people. We can live this way all our lives and never be shaken from it.

But what happens when life throws you a curve? What happens when you are heartbroken? What happens when you or your spouse are out of work? What happens when your children disappoint you? What happens when your family lets you down? What happens when you become very ill? What happens when you find yourself deep in the dark moments of depression, or guilt, or anger, or sadness?

Where is your faith? What sustains you?

Have you been rooted in "doing"? Or rooted in Christ?

Is your faith a faith of what looks good to others? Or a genuine deep heart that follows Christ?

I struggle with my weight. I always will. Forever, until He takes me and gives me a new body. (Praise God!)
I'm losing a tiny bit at a time as I learn to change the way I look at food. I have days that I feel very successful in this journey, as I have days that I feel like a failure.

I struggle with being the best Christ follower I can be. I always will. Forever, until He calls me to Him for eternity. (again, Praise God!)
My walk is an ever changing journey as I seek and discover His will for my life. I have days that I feel very successful in this journey, as I have days that I feel like a failure.

Colossians 2:6-10 Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Colossians 3:1-3 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

I pray for God to change me from the inside out!

Blessings on your journey.