Day 9

Getting Right Desires

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him –Philippians 2:13

For years my weight loss was about me.  It was about me looking better, feeling better about myself, and somehow that would translate to me being a better person.  It had nothing to do with being a positive influence to others.  In fact, when people used to say “why do you want to lose weight, you look healthy”, I would respond with “I don’t want to be healthy, I want to be hot!”.

I wasn’t concerned with the benefits of taking care of myself.  In fact, my attempts in weight loss often utilized very unhealthy practices.  I had it all backwards.  I thought if I was beautiful on the outside I would feel complete.

 It wasn’t until the Lord changed my heart that I experienced success in weight loss.  By seeking the Lord, and doing the things that pleased Him, my attitude towards my physical appearance changed.  It was no longer about being able to wear that 2 piece swimsuit (though it is nice to be able to).  It is now about being an example to others.  It is now about helping others feel good about themselves.  It is now about having a body that is healthy and strong enough to carry out the plans He has in store for me.  He changed my heart, changed my motive, and it changed me.

Not only do we need God’s help in changing our hearts and attitudes about weight loss. We also need Him to change some of the food desires we struggle with.  We need Him to help give us a desire to change that is greater than the desire for chocolate.  A desire to say no to the cake because our desire to say yes to our goals is greater.  He can help us with these desires.  The best part is- God’s help comes with the power to fulfill these right desires.

It may seem impossible to believe this right now-as you are only on day 2 and probably craving some of your habitual bad habits right now- but there will come a day when you no longer have to struggle past every single temptation.  You will be able to walk right past the dessert line at a party.  You will be able to drive by a Dairy Queen without clutching on to the steering wheel- fighting every urge to suddenly veer right.  There will come a day, sooner than you think, that you will actually be able to dump the kids leftovers in the garbage without feeling compelled to eat them!  Sure, temptation will still come your way, but it will be so much easier than it is right now in the beginning.  Trust me.  You just have to keep on doing your best; and call on God’s power to help you. He will not fail you!

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for today.  I thank you for another day to work towards the desires of my heart.  I ask you Lord, to examine my heart.  Get rid of any wrong desires, and replace them with desires that please you.  I ask you to take away the desire for the foods I am craving that I no longer want as part of my daily diet.  I thank you for your power to fight these desires.  I thank you Lord for loving me so much that you will help me through each and every day as I work to take better care of myself.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.