“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
As a child, did you ever cut a doll’s hair and wonder why it didn’t grow back? Throughout your life time, have you ever broken something important that you simply can’t fix?
As I think about how God created our bodies, I’m impressed at His workmanship. Our hair does grow back (thankfully!) from bad haircuts and typically our bodies heal from breaks and injuries.
In the same way, when we’ve “ruined” our body from overeating, we still have hope. So many people (myself included!) feel like once we’ve reached a certain point, there is no return. But, God has created us with the ability to lose weight. And the first step is believing that God can change us and that we are indeed able to change. We have to trust in God’s perfect will for our lives and allow Him to transform our thinking, our feelings and our behavior. And just as “Rome wasn’t built in a day” most times this overall life change comes in the form of small steps in the journey of life.
I’ll be honest and say that I’d hear of or see people who had lost major weight and while I’d be happy for them, I was often jealous too. As I was overcome with feelings of hopelessness and despair, I’d see someone else looking fantastic and bragging about all the weight they’d lost. But, I realize now that none of us has any room to brag. Anyone who has lost significant weight has started out having significant weight to lose. They have also struggled in the same areas that I have. And God has given them the same ability to start fresh – to heal, to lose weight, to be set free.
I love the reminder from the verses in Ephesians that say that it is by grace that we have been saved, not by works, so that no one can boast. Truly, being saved is a gift from heaven. We have no room for pride when we realize that it is God who is transforming our lives each and every day when we hand Him over the reigns to do so.
If you are currently struggling in any area of your life – but especially with being overweight – I would encourage you to start by praying. Ask God to teach you and recognize that He is faithful to answer when we call on Him! Read His Word to you and know that He has given you a body that will heal, unlike my old doll baby who will forever have short, choppy hair.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the bodies You’ve given us. I praise You that we heal, that You have provided a way to be set free from bondage. Thank You that hair grows, that bones mend and that somehow we are able to burn fat from our bodies. It is truly a gift from You! Lord, I pray for all those reading this blog – help them learn the truth in Your Word and help them on their journey to losing weight and being set free. I humbly ask that You would make us all healthy and thin for Your glory. And, may we recognize that it is not by works so that no one can boast but truly Your blessings and salvation are a wonderful and treasured gift. Thank You and praise You! You are holy and worthy of praise! In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
VALGOOD 