Category Archives: Good health

Be Happier! Tell God About It

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I’m always amazed when I read the word and see psychological/health principles vividly displayed.  Many think the word of God irrelevant, and yet more and more, current brain and psychological studies reveal what the Bible has been saying all along, specifically in this discussion:  For happiness and health, we need forgiveness.  Internalizing our fears and guilty feelings creates havoc in our minds and bodies.

Let me show you what I mean:

I discussed in the past couple of posts how Ps 32:1-2 points out a way to HAPPINESS, and that is to live in a perpetual state of a clean slate which is only obtained by believing at a deep heart level that God has already forgiven you.  It is NOT by trying to always be good! Further, because God holds nothing against you, you need not hold anything back from Him.

Feeling guilty carries with it the fear of punishment, and we do all kinds of things to avoid that… blame-shifting, denial, aggressive attacks.

On the other hand, some people accept all forms of guilt… they feel responsible for everything that happens, take the blame for it all, and subconsicously harbor a belief they deserve punishment, and the circumstances of their lives reflect that.  Read any basic Psy 101 course and this dynamic is sure to be examined.

Now venting, blaming others, and punishing others for the guilt we feel inside is not a healthy response.  But neither is internalizing it so your body gets bombarded with a steady stream of harmful chemicals triggered by persistent negative thoughts.

Listen what David says in Ps 32:3:

When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long.

Keeping our negative thoughts inside and not dealing with them in a healthy manner affects our minds and bodies in severe ways.

As a former neurotically guilty person, feeling responsible for everyone and everything, here’s what I have learned to do:

Tell God all about it.

I write daily letters to Him and when I need to, I share my deepest, darkest secrets and feelings.  I share my screwiest ideas, my stupidest questions, my greatest fears, and silliest offenses.

And guess what?  I not only have not been zapped, but also I feel and see His smile.

He’s never forsaken me.  He, instead, sticks close to me, enlightens me, clears up my confusion, and reassures me that He loves and yes, even favors me!!  I need not grovel because He is the Lifter of my head!

If you don’t have that kind of intimacy with Him… ask Him for it and try it out!  He will meet you, if you let Him!

To your good mental, emotional, and physiological health!

Favor for Weight Loss?

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Recently I asked a group of ladies, “For what do you need God’s favor?”

One by one, they poured out their hearts – some revealing the dreams and calling the Lord had given them, others the desire for a job that paid well and they enjoyed.  But for a large number of them, they needed favor to get to their ideal weight.

Tired of carrying around the extra poundage, feeling discouraged and disgusted every time they look in the mirror or a picture of themselves, and even worse, having impending health conditions affect the quality and duration of their lives, some of them struggled with the desire to even exert the energy to — one more time, try and lose the weight.

Now, I know I’m only 10-15% overweight, and so, some may disqualify me from speaking on the subject, but I am heavier than I ever have been before, and it’s not comfortable.  I don’t like feeling the formation of a tire or two, around my belly.  And while my health is still excellent, at the rate I’m going, jumping to the next size in clothing …. again … will be the least of my worries.  Losing 15- 20 pounds would make me feel oh, so much better!

And yet, every time I have tried to lose weight in the past, it becomes a focus, and the more I focus on my weight, the more weight I put on!  If I have been successful in losing it, the weight eventually finds its way back to my body bringing added reinforcement with it.

Can anyone say, “Amen?”

So, for me and others, I asked the Lord, “Does your favor work for weight loss?” I knew the answer had to be, “yes,” but I needed revelation on how.

Well, His answer is unfolding.  I have noticed that when the Lord is beginning a a new work, or providing a fresh way to an old problem, His answer rarely starts with a list of to-dos … but rather, a meditation on an overall perspective … some attitude or truth to apprehend before actually designing an action plan.

So here’s what He gave me:

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of ALL grace – Who imparts ALL blessing and FAVOR – Who has called you to His OWN eternal glory in Christ Jesus, WILL HIMSELF COMPLETE and MAKE YOU WHAT YOU OUGHT TO BE, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen and settle you.”  1 Peter 5:10 (AMP)

God has given this verse to my husband and I a lot lately!  And it seems to apply in all kinds of situations, but I never thought about it in terms of helping us with our attitudes about our bodies.  And yet, more and more we hear of reports where pounds seem to melt off  people who are basking in the glory of God at a revival meeting! Recently a friend shared how she lost 3 inches around her middle this way!   His glory and favor can do that!

As I meditate on this verse, I am encouraged.  Maybe we can approach losing weight in the same way we approach our salvation …. by grace, not works.

Maybe we need to sit with this verse before the Lord for a bit, letting His Spirit have His way within us before we jump into the next miracle diet plan.

Maybe the favor for now is “the divine influence on our hearts, and the reflection of such, in our lives.” Maybe we need His divine influence to truly believe that, “Faithful is He who calls us, who will also do it.”  (1 Thess 5:24)

Being full of that truth, maybe this process would be so much easier.

So,  rather than me giving you my take on this…. why not sit a few minutes in contemplation before the Lord, asking Him to reveal to you His take on it. Why not write down this verse today, take it with you, or post it somewhere prominent.

And if you need the favor of God to help you, let me know.  I will definitely pray for you!

Part 2 coming soon!

Love,
Maryann