WLW: Surrender is the Key

Please visit Alicia at Confessions of a Snowflake to join in the sharing of your weight loss journey.

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This morning I was listening to a worship song that proclaimed, “There is freedom and joy in your presence, Lord.” I started pondering what true freedom and joy looks and feels like, and I came to the conclusion that I haven’t quite experienced it to the fullest yet.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

I look at my overweight, unhealthy, lethargic body and realize that I am not honoring God with my body. I don’t think I can ever really experience true freedom and joy until I get to a healthy body weight – living life to the fullest in the body that God intended for me.

Yes, I want to lose weight to look better and feel better. I want to stop feeling tired all the time. I want to be a good example for my daughter. I want to be more attractive to my husband. But more than any of that, I want my body to reflect God’s glory. Just as the Temple was designed with immense care and furnished with greatness because it was to be the house of God, I need to treat my body with great care. If the Holy Spirit truly dwells within me, I need to tidy up a bit to show Him the honor and respect He deserves.

I also know that I need Him more than ever as I embark on this new weight loss journey. I have been struggling with my weight since I was in elementary school, where I was always the “big” girl in class. If this time is going to be different - if this time I will see real and lasting change - the first thing I need to do is surrender all control over to God. I can’t do this on my own. I have tried in the past and have failed. This time, it all needs to be in God’s hands. Only then will I succeed.