How do we and others see us?

How many times have we weighed ourselves and who we are by our weight? Are we weighed down by weight? We often fail to see that we can be in bondage because of our weight.

If you look at the media today you will see that most focus on food and weight. Most magazines regardless of whether they are aimed at men, women or children have something to do with weight, health, fashion or food. Some will focus on all of them, and many will be teaching children to value themselves and others by the size they are and what they wear.

People who are in the public eye are even more focused on their weight. How many celebrities are underweight and continuing to get the perfect body and the perfect weight? Most people never reach these goals because the definition of what is perfect changes year by year and sometimes day by day. What was classed as the perfect shape and size in the 1930’s is now seem as being obese and unacceptable.

Look at the way eating disorders and on the increase and how young some children are becoming anorexic.

Being obsessed with food and diet is causing more and more people to be addicted to food, weight and how they look.

How many have made food an enemy today?

We should eat because we need food but how many hate the food they eat thinking that is the problem behind their weight gain?

Sorry, but it isn’t the foods fault. Food on its own is healthy. Have you ever gone into the garden (yard) and looked at fresh fruit and vegetables, do they have the power to make us fat? Take a nice piece of meat or fish again do they have the power to make us fat? NO! We take these God given food and then mess around adding so many fats, sugars and other things that we have to take the blame firmly on our shoulders. We cook it or chose to buy it.

When was the last time a cookie spoke to you and told you in an audible voice to eat it? Food doesn’t do this, we do it ourselves. Food is not the enemy but what we have done to it has become the enemy.

Have you ever cried out to God and asked him why you are fat and why you can’t lose weight? Have you blamed God for it all? Would it surprise us if God told us our problem is simple, it is because we have made food and IDOL.

Now I know this is where the rubber hit’s the road for many of you and you can close the thread right now. How can this be I hear some of you say. God would say, When you are lonely, you eat. When you are angry, you eat. When you are bored, you eat. When you are depressed, you eat. When you are happy, you eat. Are there any other times when you eat? God would also say that when these things happen we don’t go to Him, we do not read the Word, we eat because it is easier. Do we feel good about ourselves when we are thin, and bad about ourselves when we are fat. God would also say, We are not Spirit led we are weight led. Our weight controls our moods and our lives. It is an idol.

How do we break free from an idol, first we have to repent that our weight and food has taken first place in our lives. How many hours a day do we spend being concerned about our weight and food and how many hours a day do we spend with God? The cycle needs to be broken and God will lead each person in the way that is right for them. We may be at the right weight and it can still be an idol. Some may have abused their bodies that their metabolism is shot to pieces, but God is in the business of bringing our bodies where they should be. He can change that when we put Him first.

I want to leave you with some question. If you want to answer them in private then feel free. If you want to post them here again feel free. Do whatever God is telling you.

1) Do you see yourself here, has your weight and food become an idol?
2) Does food meet needs in your life that only God can meet?
3) Name the needs?
4) Are those needs being met or are you still dissatisfied?
5) Do you allow your weight to dictate your moods?
6) Do you only feel good about yourself when you are thin?
7) Do you feel bad about yourself when your weight fluctuates?
8) What is controlling you?

Finally what weight should you be? There are weights on charts which are a good starting place, but God knows what He designed you to be. Ask Him what weight you should be. By this I mean really be. Don’t think He still wants you 40 lbs overweight. He wants you the right weight not overweight and not underweight.
Now it is down to you will you take the first step and see what you have done with your body and your relationship with God?