"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
I Corinthians 9:27
How I appreciate all who are praying for me! Thank you for the emails and comments that let me know you are continuing to pray and stand alongside me in this ongoing battle to "bring my body into subjection." I just wanted to drop in with an accountability update and let you know how I am doing and hopefully encourage you to keep pressing on in your own minimizing challenges.
As I spoke about in this post and this post, I began the discipline of intermittent fasting on July 25th. By God's grace, I am continuing to do that for 16 hours each day. I have not stepped on a set of scales, nor do I intend to for a very long time. Many failed weight loss attempts have taught me that for me to step on the scales too early in the game equals total frustration and defeat, so I am avoiding the scales like the plague!
I am taking it one day at a time, and I am applying the many lessons God has taught us in all other areas of minimizing to my current weight minimizing efforts. You can read all about those lessons in our new book, "Biblical Minimalism."
We are completely humbled and amazed at how God is blessing this book. May He continue to place it in the hands of those with open hearts hungry for a closer walk with Him. If you haven't yet ordered yours, I hope you will click here to order your copy today!
It is amazing how the Word of God is universal and Its wisdom applies to all areas of our lives. Whether it is severing toxic relationships, tearing down physical possession idols, or being set free from food addiction, Its precepts are all-encompassing, applicable, and entirely relevant.
I am trying not to set unrealistic goals, and I am certainly not making a vow, but my heart's desire is to continue the intermittent fasting until Christmas. I just keep thinking how wonderful it would be to not have to cringe when it comes time to take our annual Christmas photo! All of the sacrifice would be so worthwhile if I could face that camera with less dread knowing I had really tried and given it my all to lose this excess weight.
Whether or not you need to lose body weight, get out of debt, ditch toxic relationships, or let go of excess physical possessions, I want to encourage you today on your minimizing journey by reminding you that God is bigger than this. I will admit that the thought of needing to lose 60+ pounds is overwhelming to me. Its insurmountability is enough to cause me to give up, but I won't because the God within me is greater than the mountain in front of me.
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." I John 4:4
Bigger than This - Jo Dee Messina
Through His strength, I can lose this weight, and you can overcome any minimizing challenge, too. On my own, I have tried and failed more times than I can even remember. Somehow, I have viewed weight loss as being in its own category outside the power of God, but this time I am enlisting all the power available to me, and I will conquer this. I can't do this, but HE can do this through me.
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Romans 8:37
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13
I want freedom from obesity more than I want food. As the saying goes, "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." I am reminding myself that God, not food, is my Source of comfort. When I am tempted at night to "break" the fast and turn to food for comfort, I will lift my eyes Heavenward and find my comfort in HIM.