Do you need to lose 250, 350, 500 pounds, or more in order to reach your ideal body weight? Are you caught in a cycle of bingeing and purging that you do not know how to break free of? I understand the numbers on the scale are intimidating, and the stronghold of an eating disorder seems impossible to escape. Nevertheless, no matter how much weight you have to lose or how long you have been struggling with an eating disorder, faith in Jesus Christ includes the belief that all things work together for your good because you love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Consequently, you can and should expect great things to manifest regardless of how dire your circumstances are. That includes obtaining and maintaining your health and fitness goals.
Willpower and discipline are gifts from God. No man has self-control over sin apart from Him, for the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). In other words, it is the Holy Spirit Who gives us the strength to abstain from eating burgers and fries as well as cakes and pies. It is the Holy Spirit Who strengthens our feeble will and empowers us to use the treadmill or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Without Him, we would either be dead or on our way to an early grave because we cannot force ourselves to stop eating unhealthy foods and beverages or to exercise even though we know we need to.
If you are searching for discipline within yourself, relying on your willpower, or waiting for the world to somehow give it to you in a pill, you are basically planning to fail again. The Holy Spirit is generous with His gifts, and He wants to develop the fruit of the Spirit within you. In order to receive the free gift of self-control that you have been looking for, all you have to do is repent from the sin of gluttony, making an idol of your stomach, and otherwise failing to eat and drink for the glory of God. Then you have the right to ask for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment over the eating dysfunction in your life.
If you keep pressing towards the mark (Philippians 3:14) of repairing the damage you have done to the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), eventually the rebuilt spiritual house will manifest itself just as a refurbished home in the natural realm becomes a finished product when its construction is completed. So put on your hard hat and steel-toed boots and get to work! Trust that the Lord will renew your strength daily, making it possible for you to run on the treadmill for thirty (30) minutes three (3) times a week and not get weary or to go for a walk in your neighborhood every evening after work and not faint (Isaiah 40:31). Never forget that He wants you to succeed; therefore, he will help you and uphold you with His right hand of righteousness (Isaiah 41:10) in order to bring you to the expected end He always had planned for your life (Jeremiah 29:11), meaning, the healthy and fit version of you He envisioned before laying the foundations of the universe!
If you are ready to receive the Holy Spirit’s gift of self-control over your unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle, register today for the Eating as an Act of Worship Ministries Health and Fitness Course. The class begins on August 21, 2023, at 6:00 pm CST via Zoom. Space is limited so go to www.eatingasanactofworshipministries.org to register now! The class is free! There are no registration fees or membership fees! Simply purchase your copy of the Eating as an Act of Worship Workbook online today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com. If you are unable to take the course, you can learn the biblical principles at your convenience by ordering the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher’s Edition. The classes and books will teach you the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God. Don’t forget to read our weekly blog for motivation to stay healthy and fit through Christ and follow us daily on Facebook, Threads, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for recipes, and diet and exercise tips. Tune in to our syndicated radio show on iTunes, Spotify, the StudioW Buzz Radio Station, and Victory KVDW 100.9 FM, 95.3 FM, and 1530 AM in Little Rock, Arkansas for interviews and health and fitness trends. Lastly, make your tax-deductible donation to Eating as an Act of Worship Ministries at www.eatingasanactofworshipministries.org!