2009: The Year You Take off the Weight!

I woke up the other morning to a voice. I’m certain it was God’s. It wasn’t mine, it wasn’t my kids, and it wasn’t my dear husband waking me up—no, it was that still small voice that speaks to the heart, when we take time to listen.  It’s the voice that always lines up with the Word, and nudges us back on the path.

“It’s not a matter of habit or lifestyle. With you, it’s simply a matter of the heart,” He said. And I knew that He heard the grumble of my tummy, which quickly turned my thoughts toward visions of drive-throughs that danced in my head.

I was reminded of the verse in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, when in chapter 6:12, he writes:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

There’s a battle going on in our hearts, ladies, and Satan wants nothing more than to see us turn our eyes away from the Father and onto the idols that the world has to offer.

I’ve tried to change my habits, change the food, change my plan of action… even change the scale to a friendlier, less-honest, version, but when I see that none of those changes have helped—I come back to the issue at hand—the necessary change in my heart.

What do I long for? Is it a closer walk with Jesus that I crave, or a fudge brownie?For years it was the high I get from food. It still is some days—too many days unfortunately, which is why I need that constant nudge from the Father reminding me that He longs to be my heart’s desire—He alone.

Again that morning, I turned to my daily devotional where He clearly spoke to me again:

Work and prayer represent the two forces that will ensure your success. Your work and My work. For prayer, believing prayer, is based on the certainty that I am working for you and with you and in you. Go forward gladly and unafraid. I am with you. With men your task may be impossible, but with God all things are possible. 

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13. 
(December 29, God Calling, by Two Listeners.)

I love it when God confirms that tug on our hearts, telling us that, YES—it was Him that spoke, and that He is taking each and every step beside us. 
I’m not alone, and, sister, you’re not alone in this walk either. I hope you accept that. Do your part, and trust that He can, and will deliver you from the bondage that food has on you. 
How can faith make a difference? The answer is two-fold:

1. When we live out our faith, His weapons–which are not of this world–become ours.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. –Ephesians 6:10-13.

1. And secondly, God promises to give His people a heart with new desires so that we won’t turn to the idols–like unhealthy obsessions with food–that we cling to:

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command. 
–Ezekiel 36:25-27, NLT 

I pray that 2009 will be the year that you discover success—the year you take off the weight, and keep it off! You and He, working together—gladly and unafraid.

©2009, Darlene Schacht

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