Weight Loss Training Tip #2

#2 I Looked Outside the Walls of My Fortress.  Life can really become about me, my family, me and only what we are doing.  Losing weight or being healthy can become only about me and about how I look and feel. I have learned that if I only act because of the way I feel--I will bottom out quickly. You know why?  Because, feelings can't be trusted all the time.  I am a girl and girlie feelings, just ask my husband, change from moment to moment.  I wish they didn't sometimes but especially regarding weight loss, they do!  So, I began gathering factual information by looking outside myself, so to speak.  This looking outside my fortress really began much earlier, before weight loss was ever thought of, when God began causing us as a family to take a look at the rest of the world 

First, our family began praying for and supporting our Compassion International kiddo, Uwiringiyimana.  She is a precious 8 year old who, in the short time we have been supporting her, has blessed our lives immensely.  She is from Rwanda and we just love Rwanda.  Since Uwiringiyimana came into our lives, God has provided other opportunities through a local body to be informed about Rwanda just softening our hearts towards His work there.

Second, we began praying for the persecuted church.  Voice of the Martyrs has been instrumental in us being educated about the persecuted church and what goes on in other parts of the rest of the world.  Through such books like Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand and The Pastor's Wife by Sabina Wurmbrand, persecution has been exposed to Joey and I.  What God has planted in us is a real desire to pray for real believers on far away soil who must truly stare persecution in the face daily.

Third, I began seeing Yahoo articles popping up on my news real about obesity in America and which states consume the most fat.  Alabama is way up there in obesity as is  the rest of the southeast and yep, we are also in the top ten of consuming Americas junk food.  Seeing the facts has really helped. 

Fourth, I got a cookbook! The More With Less Cookbook is written by a Mnenonite woman who uses the intro of the cookbook to really discuss how Americans are using up so much of the world' s resources.

Fifth, I watched SuperSize Me and Food Inc on Netflix. Grossed me out completely!

Sixth, I began watching The Biggest Loser on tv. I love that show! Had never seen it until this season.

Seventh, I have some really awesome friends, who have affirmed me and encouraged me as I learn.

Okay, I have got to put this all together for you because this post is getting long--How did all of these things come together to promote weight loss and healthy eating in our family? I told you that you might think I am crazy after you read these articles because you might be thinking, "What in the world does praying for the persecuted church have to do with losing weight or healthy eating?"  As best as I can explain it---here it goes:

As God has caused me to look out at the rest of world through Jesus' eyes, a desire to glorify Him in all things has taken hold in my heart.  I do not want to confess Him with my mouth and deny Him with my American consumerism ways. Boom--there it is!  Eating is only part of my problem, a symptom of a much deeper illness. A bandaid won't fix it.  I am an American, and here in America, we are eaten up with the American Dream.  We are consumer sick and it rolls over into how much stuff I feel like I am entitled to, to how much good tasting food I think I deserve. I am guilty of major over-indulgence.  I live in excess, throwing food down the disposal when we have cooked too much or stuffing it into my mouth just when "I feel like it". I am comforted by food when I am sad, I do my best socializing around food, I eat when I am tired, hungry, sad, and happy. I fill my life with all sorts of things to provide a temporary fix.  And all of this without one thought to what my consumerism does to the rest of the world, my family, or the name of Jesus Christ.  Does Jesus master me or food?  Does Jesus comfort me or food?  Is Jesus the source of my joy or food or stuff or whatever?  Looking outside my fortress at the rest of the world and asking God how He can be glorified in me has changed everything, even how I eat.  The goal wasn't weight loss when I began looking around and getting serious about prayer, it was a biproduct of God's work at the center of my heart.  Does He have much much more to clean up? You had better believe it! But it has been a deeply satisfying journey thus far, because, well, Nothing satisfies like the Savior!