Where is God’s grace when you are trying to lose weight?

Previously we discussed when we choose to walk by faith in God - rather than ourselves - with His grace, dieting becomes his battle, his fight, not our own. But what happens when his grace seems less than sufficient and we end up "pigging out"? Where is God and why isn't he strengthening me anymore?

Here is the news flash: God’s presence – full of grace that strengthens our weak will power – is for revealing where we are deceived and meeting that deception with living truth.

When it first dawns on us that we are desperately weak unable to control our own appetites and sincerely cry out to God for help, that truth is met with God’s grace.  The goodness of God doesn’t stop there. He wants to reveal more truth about ourselves thereby extend to us more grace. So what is the more truth you ask? You tell me.

What was going on when you started to pig out? Was it that your schedule is so out of whack that it controls you rather you controlling it. You simply didn’t take time to eat healthy and now you are famished and pig out?

Or is it that a fearful circumstance – like a financial debt, a relationship, or a responsibility – has circled you like a ravenous wolf. Perhaps that is why you have spiritually huddled in a corner and crammed food in your mouth? By the way, loading up on food is a primal way for mammals to handle stress. The extra calories will support their fight or flight strategy. It is animal instinct. But you are more than that!

We who have the Spirit of God within us have the power … the power not to fight ourselves … but surrender the fight to God. Ultimately we are God's possession.

The Bible says, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20

We honor God with our body by allowing God to fight our battles, just as David did.

"David said, The Lord Who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out or the jaw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine ... This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head ... All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."  (from 1 Samuel 17).

Our Goliath appetites are no match for our weak will, but thankfully God sees an attack on you as an attack on Him. And He is more than able to defeat your lion-like temptations.

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:25-28)

Do you know how to walk with grace and lose weight?

Previously we discussed how walking by faith with God’s grace requires that we transfer our confidence in ourselves to God: God’s strength, God’s ability, and God’s wisdom. When we do, we will experience God’s goodness, his inexhaustible grace.

Now, let’s examine how to walk by faith with God’s grace as we diet. It is assumed you understand the basic rules of dieting: limit calories while burning stored fat over time will produce a thinner you. It is also assumed you know and have access to healthy food and you know appropriate portion size. And finally it is assumed the problem is you have difficulty eating that way.

Monday morning you start your diet. You go for a walk, choose egg whites and dry toast. Doing good … it is 11:00 AM and you are still on your diet. Mid afternoon day one or day five, it doesn’t matter; your strength begins to wane. Your resolve is no match for the mental temptation or the physical hunger you are experiencing. You give in, you surrender. You suffer defeat. Depending on how many times this has happened will dictate the degree of self humiliation. You are mad at yourself, you become depressed and discouraged at your defeat.

Here in our forced humble state of failed dieting God can speak his good news …

You are no match for your flesh. You will lose every time; it is just a matter of time.

Paul says, “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 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. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Romans 7:21:24

When we choose to walk by faith in God – rather than ourselves – with His grace, dieting becomes his battle, his fight, not our own.  This is exactly Paul’s conclusion to his question:

 “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:25

Intentionally we are to remove our thoughts from the tormented boxing ring in our soul and not think about dieting. We are to take a front row seat and watch Christ show himself strong, or, as I prefer, leave the arena of dieting all together.

Each eating and drinking choice is an intersection as you walk with God’s grace. Stop and pause, just as you would at a street corner. Look both ways – back and forth at all your failed attempts – and conclude, “I can’t do this, but you Lord Jesus can. I will let you lead me safely through this decision.”  That is how you step, then walk by faith in God’s grace.

Next: What is really happening when you blow your diet?