By: Kim Womack
Since this pandemic began, I sure have been struggling with my weight! It’s not unusual for me to struggle, being a yo-yo dieter since my teens, but it has been more of a challenge to get it under control over these past several weeks. I’m a stress eater, and food puts me in my happy place, but let me go back a bit.
I grew up in a very strict religious household, and my mom is a yo-yo dieter as well. Her way to comfort us kids, or reward us, was with her famous chocolate chip cookies. Needless to say, I love chocolate chip cookies still. However, it wasn’t until three years ago when I truly gave my life to Christ that I realized it wasn’t just my spirit and soul I was giving to God, but also, literally, my body! No longer could I treat my body any way I wanted to, because now my body was a temple for the Holy Spirit. Not only was my body created by God, but it was created for Him.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16 NKJV
Before I gave my life to Jesus, I always wanted to lose weight for various reasons: I wanted to look good, wear cute clothes, attract attention from the opposite sex, make my family proud of me, be a role model, or get healthy. My motivation was usually selfish and revolved around a need for attention or a need to prove something. Yes, being healthy is important, but if I’m going to be honest, how I looked was more important to me than being healthy. However, the Bible tells us God created us for a specific reason, and that is to glorify Him:
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
You see, my desire to be thin was a fleshly desire, and I was wanting to bring glory to myself. But Scripture tells us, whatever we do, do ALL to the glory of God. Our desire should be to present our bodies to God and other people in a way that reflects a healthy and well disciplined lifestyle.
During these frustrating times I have slipped back into some bad habits, but here is what the Holy Spirit has given me: I have taken my focus off of God, who is our true comforter, and have replaced Him with food. I have been convicted because I know that not only am I not turning to God for true comfort, I’m also not showing God I trust Him, and this does not glorify Him.
I have talked with many women who are also struggling with their weight, and I just want to say, you are not alone.
Personally, I had to take a long look as to why I was struggling so much with my eating, and it came down to fear. Satan uses fear of the unknown to attack us. The enemy has come to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), and he can use food as a weapon. We fear for our kids, our spouses, families, friends, and ourselves. We can look strong on the outside because we are women, and we need to take care of our families, but on the inside we are scared. We turn to our old faithful friend, food, to comfort us. Not anymore! It's time to take a stand against Satan and glorify God with what we eat and drink. We need to say no to poor food choices and yes to what is healthy!
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Proverbs 3:5-8 MSG
