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Saturday, January 31, 2009

I Resolve to Lose Weight, (NOT!)

Please Welcome Genikwa Williams back to the Cafe!!


It’s been years since I’ve “resolved” to do anything in the New Year. But when I did it in the past, getting in shape and losing weight always topped the list (even in those years when I was looking and feeling great).

So I ended the self-defeating practice of making resolutions—many of which often get tossed aside only a couple months into the year anyway. As for my health and fitness journey, I came to realize that I needed more than wishy-washy promises. I needed (need) God’s help.

Let’s face it. Getting healthy and fit is easier said than done. After spending years building a habit—especially a “bad” one—it’s unrealistic to think that you can undo its effects overnight or even in a couple of months. It often takes serious discipline—physical, emotional, and mental—a complete reeducation, and lots of prayer.

My love-hate relationship with food (and anything resembling a StairMaster) has been an on-again/off-again battle for years. I’ve fought and won…fought and lost. In the last few years, I’ve won more than I’ve lost, mainly because I’ve been learning and practicing how to discipline myself through prayer, fasting, and the study of God’s Word, which has a lot to say about the matter.

In 1 Corinthians 9:27 (AMP), the apostle Paul writes “But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].”

Paul is talking about the importance of learning to discipline or train our bodies, so that we are in control of them and not the other way around.

A servant or slave does not rule over his master (See Matt. 10:24; Titus 2:9). When this happens, the results are sure to be chaos and revolution. Such disorder leads to an ever-increasing desire by the servant to supplant the master and rule in his stead. A general tendency toward Godlessness.

Self-control (temperance)—whether it pertains to our eating habits, dealings with money, time, relationships, or any other aspect of life—is one of the indications that we are becoming spiritually mature (See Gal. 5:22).

As believers, we have to be in control of our flesh—what we think, say, and do—as the Holy Spirit leads us. God wants us to be masters over our bodies, as if they were servants in our employ, so that we can be fit for service in His Kingdom (See Rom. 6; 12:1-2).

As I dedicate this month to fasting, praying, and seeking God’s direction for the rest of the year, I won’t make any empty vows, but I will ask God to help me really get in shape—body, soul, and spirit—so that I can be fit for many more years of service in His Kingdom.

How about you?

Firmly In His Grip (and getting fit),

Genikwa

A South Jersey resident, Genikwa R. Williams is a born-again believer, worshiper, and a servant to God and His people. Professionally, Genikwa is a Christian freelance writer and a ministry communications professional. Her devotional and inspirational blog, Everyday Repartee, can be found at www.GenikwaWilliams.com.

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6 Comments:

Blogger Shannon Jacobyansky said...

I agree with you whole heartily. We can no nothing without the help of the great I AM....even loose weight. Thanks!

January 31, 2009 at 6:57 AM  
Blogger Sheryl said...

If I didn't know better I would say the author of this blog was me-with the whole love/hate relationship with food.

I have to thank you so much for this post. It has given me the determination to work on discipling the flesh and boy do I need it.

It wasn't an accident that I saw your blog. God wanted me to see it.

January 31, 2009 at 8:43 AM  
Blogger Janet Benlien Reeves said...

So well said. Thank you! And you have a beautiful web site, too.

January 31, 2009 at 9:19 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

I will be praying for you.

January 31, 2009 at 11:09 AM  
Blogger Mel said...

It sounds as if you defiantely have an awesome game plan!!

January 31, 2009 at 11:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the prayers and encouragement, my Sisters! God is so awesome!

When I was led to fast this month, it was really about direction for this year. There were a few things I needed to see clearly (emotionally, professionally, and spiritually). Not only did the Lord help straighten me out in those areas, but He's also given me a bonus in the health-and-fitness department.

I am more determined now than ever to really commit this temple back to him. I've seen Him keep me on this all-liquid fast (veggie, fruit, and protein drinks, water, broth, and the like). I even shed 15 pounds—a nice little side effect. But whatever the case, I've been full of energy and beaming. My skin and hair look great! And I don’t feel like I’m going to die if I don’t get a slice of pizza (although, at some point, I WILL have to get one…LOL!) Seriously, God has really blessed me with strength and vitality—more so than I’ve ever had on any fast. It’s truly amazing. I really believe He used this fast to teach me how to diet and eat properly. I’ve been taking it all in, reading, and listening.

So I've decided that when the fast is over, I'm going to continue with my own version of the Slim Fast diet—two liquid meals, plus one sensible meal per day…low carbs, low fat. I’ll do that for several months. I’m also going to hit the home gym more often (a.k.a., a workout DVD in my living…I refuse to pay another dime to another gym until I can get this thing right at home first—for free!) This time, the purpose will be to clean out my system and lose some weight. I know that with God’s help (and lots of prayer and encouragement), I can do it!

Thanks, again, for reading my post and for sharing your thoughts. May the Lord bless you and may His will be done in and through us all. God bless you!

Genikwa
www.GenikwaWilliams.com

February 1, 2009 at 11:07 PM  

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