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Guest Commentary As we embark on a new year, let us lay aside every diet book, every weight-loss plan and every fat picture taped to the fridge. Instead, let us open the Book. Your weight loss starts with a spiritual gain plan based on Scripture.
When we think of our New Year’s resolutions, we tend to focus on the bad habits that we want to quit, like drinking or eating too much. This year, let us focus on a good habit that you want to add, such as spiritual vitality. If you want to lose weight in 2006, start by making a list of people you need to forgive, including yourself. This process will reduce a ton of weight that you may be carrying around. Ask yourself, is it fat that I want to lose, or anger and bitterness? Next, make a list of all the people and things that you are grateful for. Lastly, be at peace with yourself. When you focus on the spiritual, the will and power of God will dissolve the anger and resentment. You’ll discover that the weight will naturally come off as a spiritual response to prayer. When we start nourishing our spiritual needs first (such as reading Scripture prior to a morning workout), our overall well-being, which includes our emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health, benefits. Spiritual vitality and strength are attained only through effort by taking three steps in your walk with God: (1) be forgiving, (2) be grateful and (3) be at peace with yourself. Let’s start with forgiving those who trespassed against you. Forgive and forget Forgiveness is an important step in maintaining our spiritual well-being. When we forgive, we are freed from hate, bitterness and anger. When we withhold forgiveness, we allow anger to eat away in our hearts. The word “disease” with respect to heart disease means “ill at ease.” In other words, your heart is ill at ease. This cannot only affect your spiritual health, but it can also be detrimental to your physical and emotional well-being. Just as physical light shined at creation, so spiritual light shines in the hearts of those who become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). When we forgive someone who has caused us harm, we not only free ourselves of the burden, but we actually gain power over the situation. Anger or revenge only escalates the problem within your spirit. Forgiveness, however, does not mean you must continue to interact with the person. Some good expressions to remember are: “forgive and forget” and “to forgive is divine.” Thanksgiving every day Thank God for all of the blessings in your life. When we pray, we are usually asking God for something. Remember to praise God’s works in your prayer time. Thanksgiving should be a daily holiday. If you have a negative thought, counter it with a thought of gratitude. The more you meditate on the many blessings in your life, the more you will experience positive changes in your emotional and spiritual outlook. Hebrews 12:28: “[S]ince we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.” Be at peace with yourself What does that mean? Being at peace with yourself is often overshadowed by our constant pursuit of happiness. Peace is different than happiness; peace is the greater of the two. The sacred space of personal peace is based on the acceptance that all is well, and a profound knowledge that God is in control. In our over-stimulated society, we need our own personal peace that will disconnect us from the disquieting or threatening thoughts we encounter on a daily basis. Joyce Meyer’s “Battlefield of the Mind” is a wonderful book that identifies damaging thought patterns that attack our minds (www.joycemeyer.org). Whether our minds are attacked by worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger or condemnation, she shares her personal trials and how she overcame negative thoughts, ultimately receiving a new freedom and deeper peace of mind. “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23). The Bible states: In so much as is desired, be at peace with all men. To be at peace with others, you must be at peace with yourself. While temptation and spiritual hardships are inevitable, by training your mind to think positive thoughts and mediating on His word through daily obedience, your spiritual health will be protected, strengthened and guided. If you’re pondering your resolution for the coming year, pray for forgiveness, give thanks to God and open your heart to a deeper sense of peace. And by spring break when you’re ready to shop for your new summer swimsuit, your weight will have melted away just like Frosty. In the meantime, be at peace. It is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others. In addition to Scripture, here are two more inspirational and insightful books to strengthen your spiritual life: “Spiritual Discipline for the Christian Life” and “Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health” by Donald S. Whitney at www.familylife.com. Ephesians 4:31-32: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Readers are welcome to contact the Apple Lady at amy@themcguirecompany.com or visit her Web site at www.amytheapplelady.com |
