For those of you who are regular readers of my stories … you may have noticed that it’s been several months since I’ve shared an appetite control / weight loss story. Perhaps you’ve thought I’d given up on attempts to control my appetite. In reality nothing could be further from the truth.
It’s like this, years ago God Almighty wonderfully delivered me from compulsive gambling and also from drugs. Because of this I have first-hand experience when it comes to God’s liberating power. And I know for a fact that He’s more than able to provide what I need to overcome and take back control of my appetite for food. Therefore, let it be declared and make known far and wide … I refuse to be defeated by failure(s). By God’s grace I’ve taken control of my appetite! Now, here is this week’s story …
I’ve got a question for you. Should you have two answers; a “heart” answer and a “head” answer … reply with your “heart” answer. By the end of this story you’ll know why.
Here’s the question …
Do you think an overweight, obese, morbidly obese, or super obese person is of less value to God than a “normal size” person?
Did you notice that I asked what you “thought”? There’s a reason for that. For despite the fact that I’ve been a Christian for years, it wasn’t until a few short months ago that my heart answer came into full agreement with my head answer (which, by the way …was based on the Word of God).
For example, my head would’ve answered the question by saying something like; “God doesn’t see me as man sees me. God looks at my heart, not my outward appearance. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life … and whosoever includes all sizes and weights; normal weight, underweight, overweight, obese, morbidly obese, and super obese.” At the same time, my heart would say the very opposite. My heart would tell me that because of my size and weight I was damaged goods … that I had lost my usefulness to God’s Kingdom and therefore my value to God. This type of exchange between my heart and head has been ongoing for many years. But I want you to know that in recent months the “truth” concerning my value to God has been “established in my heart”. And it’s proven to be a major factor in me taking back control of my appetite and losing a substantial amount of weight … enabling me to go from being morbidly obese to obese. And it’s occurred in just the past few months!
The truth of the matter is … God values each person equally. Our size, weight, physical appearance, talents, abilities, intelligence, financial standing, etc … none of these things diminishes or increases our value to God. For God paid the same price for each of us. And what an enormous price He paid. For God purchased us with the shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection of His only begotten son … Jesus Christ.
You are of great value to God Almighty. May this truth be established firmly in your heart today and forever after. Now, by the power of the Holy Spirit, go forth and be the person God’s created and has called you to be! No more excuses! You are not too big for God!
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he …”—Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
“… the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”—1 Samuel 16:7 (AMP)
“Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered [for the Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge].So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”—Matthew 10: 29-31 (AMP)
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”—John 3:16 (AMP)
Debra Joy is speaking October 7th at 10:00 for the “Prayer Connection Group” at the Pine Crest Country Club in Lumberton. Facebook page: Weighty Inspiration by Debra Joy – Email: debra@debrawallace.com – Website: www.debrawallace.com