Today at, A Holy Experience, we will be finishing our writing on the practice of fasting.
I know there are many people that choose to “fast” for this season. To give up something… or to let something go. I don’t celebrate Lent in this way. Although, there is something to be said for preparing ones self in the days leading up to Easter. To look inwardly (each of us personally) and know what our heart holds. It is when we are honest and see ourselves for what we truly are….that we can begin to understand the need for a Redeemer.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7 NIV
Last week, I started a new health and wellness program. After much reading and researching, I have committed to this program. I knew that I would have to give up things that I have grown to love. Things that are unhealthy, and bad for me, but that I’ve allowed to set a precedent in my life.
And it is hard.
The body wants, what the body wants. Temptation is all around. There is never a greater battle to be fought, than the one that we fight within ourselves. I can understand what Paul meant when he said that he wants to do the right thing, but he keeps doing the things he doesn’t want to do. It becomes more and more, not about giving up sugar or processed foods, but about me. My opportunity is to lay even this seemingly simple, mundane thing down at the feet of Christ. To know within myself that I, not only can’t do this eating program alone, I would miserably fail.
Thank the Lord, that He did not leave me a prisoner to my own sin. Not to fight my own battles, whatever they may be, not to struggle with the day to day events that are frustrating…or those incidences that leave me feeling insecure or unsure.
So, it is in the giving up, I find the pouring out. In the laying down, I find the rising up.
And it is in Christ, I find that He alone is who I need.
13 I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4 NIV
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It Just Dawned On Me 
You’ve inspired me to go on a diet. I’ve decided to start out small, and build on it. I’ve decided to give up ALL sugar between 8 and 10 O’clock in the morning. Already this morning I had a modicum of success. I made it all the way to 9:30 before I fell apart.
Okay. Maybe I should read your posting again. Pray for me.
Andy
Andy, I will pray for you. Sometimes we think that God doesn’t want or need to hear about our “small” struggles. That is our thinking…not His. You can do it!!!
Oh Dawn, how I wish I could treat my dieting as a spiritual exercise! I actually thought about it a few times, especially when I was reading Made to Crave (have you read this?) but then I always give the idea up before I start. It sounds horribly weak, but I am just afraid it will end up being one more way I let God down!
I know HE doesn’t see it that way, but I would…so that’s that. 🙂
HOWEVER, I am so inspired whenever I see a bloggy friend succeed in this area, and each time I think maybe I can, maybe I could, maybe I should…we’ll see. Update if you think of it!
Missy,
It’s interesting that you would say what you did, because I’ve always admired how open you were about your dieting struggles. Your story was (and is) very encouraging, my friend.
You are not alone, in feeling that you let God down. I think you do realize that is not true, but I agree it does feel that way at times. We all have struggles. Some struggle openly, and the struggle (like weight issues) might be easy for others to see. Other struggles are quiet, and many suffer in silence. Most people are fighting some kind of battle, we may never know. God does. God, does not think about us letting him down. I’ve heard before, and often think of this: There is nothing we could do to make God love us more, and there is nothing that we could do to make God love us less. He loves us enough.
My desire is to be healthy. It is a life long commitment on my part, but I look at it this way. I’ve done well this week. Some days were harder than others. Tomorrow is a new day, new choices. I will take it one day at a time. That is all I need to do….and God is there.
I will share as I go along, hopefully to be an inspiration to others.