I have been sick for two weeks with bronchitis. Between the plethora of decongestants I’m taking, the lack of sleep due to constant coughing and the general feeling of being hit by a truck, I haven’t had the energy to focus on the blog since my last post. I’ve been waiting on God to show me what to write about and I haven’t heard a thing. Well, maybe He’s been trying to talk to me, but I can’t hear him through the medicine head. HAHA! So, I watched the Wednesday wisdom and Thursday live videos from last week to get myself stirred. They were so good! Right??? I’m amazed at the things God speaks to us through Julie every week. He has given her the wisdom and instructions we need to be successful. We just have to listen and obey.
Listen, I know how tedious it can be logging in everything you eat. I don’t like doing it all of the time either. Sometimes, it’s very tempting to let myself not log an extra pat of butter or handful of M&Ms. BUT, I know the only way that I will see results is to be honest with myself and log everything I put in my mouth. Accountability with your eating is very personal. I feel your pain, believe me!! It feels invasive, uncomfortable and frankly gets me riled up on occasion with an attitude of ‘it is no one’s business what I eat’. When I feel this way, I know that it is the wrong attitude. I have to push down my flesh and remind it that it isn’t in control, that I’m letting the Holy Spirit rule and this is the way it has to be. It’s not fun at first, but once you start letting your flesh know who the boss is, it will become easier to make logging your food intake just a part of your normal daily routine.
The other thing that Julie mentioned that we don’t like to do is get on that scale. Trust me when I tell you, when I’ve had a rough week and know I haven’t done as well as I should have, it’s tempting to not get on that scale and record the weight. I LOATHE having to log a gain instead of a loss. It’s so frustrating!! But, again, the accountability of stepping on that scale and facing the results of the choices that you make will only put your flesh in its proper place. Don’t be afraid of the scale. When you make right choices in your eating habits, I promise that you will love getting on it because you know it’s going to keep showing a smaller number. Don’t let that think intimidate you. Show it you aren’t afraid of what it has to say. Show it that you are willing to be accountable to yourself, to God and your E4M family.
Lastly, and what I think is the most important of all, is to remember this:
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
When you joined E4M, it wasn’t a coincidence. God placed you in this family for a purpose. He wants to accomplish a good work in you. Not just in losing weight, but also in taking control of the rule food has had over you. He wants to make you strong, not just in your physical body, but also in your spirit! He’s teaching you how to stand against the enemy by choosing faith instead of fear. He’s teaching you how to lean on him instead of food when you are overwhelmed or discouraged. He’s teaching you that YOU ARE WORTH THE WORK. Did you hear me? YOU ARE WORTH ALL THIS HARD WORK. You are His. You belong to Him. You have great value in His eyes. He suffered, died and rose again to make you a victor! You are His prize. You are the apple of His eye. You are precious.
When you get frustrated, don’t want to log your food or weigh yourself weekly, remember that you cannot give up on yourself. God hasn’t given up on you. He thinks you are valuable and He WILL finish the work He started in you. If you do your part, He will absolutely do His. It’s you and Jesus. We are just here to cheer you on and remind you that with God, all things are possible.
If you’ve fallen out of the routine of logging your food and weighing in, make this next week that things change. Let God show you what He can do when you put your trust in Him and in this process. I promise you will see changes in your body and spirit!