December 3, 2011

No Turning Back

This summer I became overwhelmingly convicted  to turn away from sinful patterns that were ruling over me. Serious. I was super-duper serious. And Satan knew it. Almost immediately after I had committed to repentance, Satan began to attack. 

He got in my head and convinced me that I could never walk in freedom over this sin of idolatry (looking to food to bring the comfort, security and joy that only God can provide.) He convinced me that I was being too legalistic in wanting to overcome this and that I didn't need to pursue putting this sin to death. (Read: "Eat whatever you want. It's fine." Sound familiar? Genesis 3, anyone?) Needless to say, Satan made a very alluring case and I bought it.

But tonight I've decided that I'm not buying it anymore. Nope. The promise of God is that He will set me free. FREE. No chains, no oppression, but freedom. I'm not trying to earn anything. I'm not hoping to please anyone. I'm not even trying to get into a pair of jeans. All I want to do, by His grace, is express the love that I have for my Savior by obeying him. If in that process I earn things or please people or fit into a size 6, then so be it. I probably will. But that is not why.

The Lord has shown me what is good for my body--what makes me feel and function my best. He has taught me how to plan and cook healthfully. He has provided money for my family to be able to buy food. He has granted me a schedule and a spouse that are both very conducive to allowing me a near-daily workout. He has blessed me with two precious bundles of energy to care for. He has given me the ability to learn scripture. He has promised to provide a way out of every temptation that I face. He sits at the right hand of the Father and prays for me without ceasing. Not only has He shown me what to do but he has explained to me why I need to do it. We all know parents don't have to do that, but He did. Grace.

There is no reason in the world that I should not walk in the ways that he has clearly made known to me. In doing so not only will I be protected and blessed, I will be loving Him. I will be abiding in Him. I look forward to the days ahead and pray that each one draws me nearer, ever nearer to my Jesus. Joy will abound.

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

*I should mention, for any new readers, that my method of weight loss is simply to exercise most days and eat a balanced diet as suggested on http://www.choosemyplate.gov/index.html. This is the way that I should eat for the rest of my life--its not a special diet. When I eat this way, I lose weight. I imagine when my body gets to a healthy weight I will stop losing. So far I have lost about 60 lbs and have about 30 to go.
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9 comments:

PsyDCarolyn said...

Hi Keelie. I subscribed to your blog some months ago, now I don't even remember when why or how I found you. But I read, and usually don't post. I found this one this morning as I am now up for the morning can't sleep, since I'll be 38 weeks pregnant tomorrow. Gotta love late-pregnancy insomnia (and I DID pass out about 8:30 last night lol). Just wanted to say how encouraging your post is, and how much of a blessing you have and can continue to be to others who read your blog. I am SOOO psyched to get started with my weight loss again once this baby gets here, I can't wait! Good luck and God bless!

Breathing In Grace said...

You are absolutely beyond precious....sometimes it seems you've got a way of looking into this old lady's head and reading my exact thoughts, then you're able to express them in words!!! Love you dearly, sweet girl!!! (yes I can call you girl, since you're about the age of our "girl"!!!)

AJ @ trulylifeinwords - said...

I love the sound Voice of Truth for this very reason. Satan tries to convince us of something that is just false!!

In a lecture recently I heard we learn obedient after we sin and are shown the right way (mercy and grace!). Jesus learned obedience through obeying...oh it sound so great that I want to do it! Not to suffer the death of sin in order to learn obedience. It's hard, but a worthy aspiration.

downsizers said...

Christians sure do have to be aware of the sin of gluttony. I know I have been convicted of it. We cannot witness to the drug addict, the smoker, the alcoholic, or people with other addictions as long as we keep our idolatry with food. I have been waiting for God's cue to eat - the stomach growl. God always provides - I eat what I want in small amounts - then I wait for the next growl. I drink 64 oz. of water a day and exercise regularly. It's working. I pray for strength each day.

Emily said...

Thanks for posting.... and being honest.

Jane Public said...

Amen! I stand with you! God is ALWAYS good and ALWAYS take of us and provides. I am truly blessed and grateful!

kellyo said...

Beautiful...simply beautiful. Yes, as soon as we commit to put Him as our priority the enemy is there to make us doubt. You'll make it!

Lovebug6100 said...

I am glad you're back to blogging. I've missed reading your posts! I always find them so inspiring!

Tiffany said...

I have never ever looked at my eating habits like that until I read Made to Crave and also the book by Candace Cameron Bure. I always thought that I just liked food and was really "addicted" to and it wasn't my crutch or anything like that.

Boy, was I wrong big time! I am still struggling with handing it all over to God. It is the binges that get me. I will eat healthy for 4 or 5 days and then all of a sudden I have a craving for something and that leads to a binge. It is more than just "liking food too much." I'm hoping that I get to the point were you are were I can just hand it completely over to God and know that he will get me through it. I know that completely trusting in God is the only thing that is really going to help me and my health for the rest of my life.