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Minimalism from a Biblical Point of View —

Biblical Minimalism is "a complete, whole-person release of anything unlike Jesus, a letting go of everything that hinders us from following Him wholeheartedly and single-mindedly, and a relinquishing of all that brings us under bondage to this earthly, very temporary life." Cheryl E. Smith

Sunday, August 16, 2020

Weight Loss Update & New Article on No Sidebar

"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 thisI 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.

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."  Psalm 121:1-2

I also wanted to let you know that today I am sharing a post on No Sidebar about some helpful things to remember while minimizing with children.  Here's a little snippet ~ 

"The journey to a more peaceful, simpler life looks different for all of us, and there is no one size fits all, step-by-step plan or method. For those of us pursuing simplicity as families with children, it is important to remember that while we are working toward a life of greater peace, the everyday press toward that goal can be anything but peaceful."

I hope you will click HERE to head over to No Sidebar and read the rest!

18 comments:

  1. With God’s help, you will succeed Cheryl. Set short term goals that are reasonable and when you reach those, it will encourage you. Praying for you dear friend!

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    1. Yes, you are so right! Short-term goals are so helpful. I am SO grateful for your prayers and support, my friend!

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  2. God is bigger than all that's confronting right now!

    Amen.

    What joy, relief, gratitude for the way He empowers us to do the next right thing.

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    1. The next right thing - yes! Praise His holy name - that is all He requires of us at any given time. So thankful for His mercies!

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  3. Dearest Cheryl, I couldn't agree more with Pam's words. SHORT TERM GOALS....I have found that to work best with any goal I set before me. Praying for you dear lady and asking God to give you what you need each and every moment that you need it. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Thank you so much, Cindy. I am still pressing on and passed my one-month intermittent fasting milestone the other day! I don't think I have lost much, if any, weight yet, but I am pressing on regardless. Short term goals, yes! You will never know how much I appreciate your prayers! Many hugs and blessings to you, too, sweet friend.

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  4. Dear Cheryl, I want to Praise God along with you for continuing on with what God has called you to do! It's almost a month, and I think that is a long time! I am keeping you in my prayers, dear friend. May the Lord help us both to persevere with what He has asked of us, trusting that truly HE is bigger than all of these things around us. Blessings to you!

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    1. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your precious support and prayers and encouragement, dear friend! Yes, may He help us to keep pressing forward in these special assignments He has called us to. Many blessings and much love to you, too.

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  5. With Elohim, you will reach your goal. We are His temple and need to keep it in good condition. I continue to pray for you (and your family).

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    1. Thank you so much, Donna. Your words were so encouraging to me. Your prayers for my family and me are a divine gift. Many blessings to you!

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  6. Hi Sweet Friend, Your transparency and humility are such an encouragement to your readers and to me as well. No matter what, we are all struggling with something and for you to share so readily about your struggles with weight loss is a true testament that we are all going to struggle, but in the struggle we can lift each other up, hold each other accountable and rely on our great God who is not overwhelmed by anything.

    Praying you are blessed with success in the area of weight loss and I continue to praise God with you on the success of your book!

    Sending you much love,

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    1. Thank you ever so much, my friend! I am so grateful to you for your precious friendship and support and prayers. I send much love back to you today!

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  7. Hi Cheryl, remember me, Patti Gardner. I have been off and on with blogging through the years. Just returned after a very long blog break, and I saw your blog on another blogger's sidebar. I remember when you started this blog...and now you have nearly 100 followers and a book! Praise God for the way he is growing your ministry.

    Love,
    Patti

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    1. Yes, Patti, I do remember you. So nice to hear from you again and glad to know you are back blogging again! Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. May the Lord richly bless you. Much love to you, too.

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  8. I am so proud of you my friend for your perseverance and commitment. It's true, we can't do this. But God's power working through us can do amazing things. Just abide in Him, yield yourself to Him, and He will give you victory, as He already has in so many areas of your life.
    I'm so thankful to hear your book has been doing well. We ALL need to be reminded not to keep clinging to the idols of this world or to be side-tracked by addictions. I've been trying to not spend any unnecessary money, and I realize how often I mindlessly "window" shop online. You're not alone, and you're a huge encouragement to us all. xo Deborah

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    1. Thank you SO, so much for your precious friendship and encouragement. Your words meant so much to me. May the Lord richly bless you for your kindness and support, sweet friend.

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  9. So eine sent me your post. I have been intermittent fasting since July 10th with the help on Gin Stephen's Book Delay Don't Deny and Fast Feast Repeat. HUGE help and motivation. PLEASE read. You will find so much encouragement and OTHER ways to see your success. She calls them NSVs: Non Scale Victories! Your body IS changing from the inside out. She says it's a Health Plan with a side effect of losing weight. Focus on getting healthy and the weight will follow. Even if it doesn't right away, amazing things are happening in your body! God bless you!

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    1. Kathy, thank you so much for your kind comment! I am so sorry I am just now getting to respond. That sounds like an amazing book! Thank you for the recommendation! God bless you, too, in a special way!

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