Radical Obedience

Titus 2:11-12 says that we are to give up godless living and sinful pleasures. For me, the sinful pleasure I need to give to God is my food addiction. This is something beyond me to do. I've tried every diet there is, exercise, you name it. I can only 'be good' just so long and then I fall. It's not something I can do in my own strength. God has been speaking to me about this for awhile and I still struggle. The difficulty I face is that I lose my focus. I need to keep my focus on HIM and not the process. When I start to think that I have to give up sugar forever, well, then that's the one thing I start to desire more.

Lysa TerKeurst says this: "We need not fear what our obedience will cause to happen in our life. We should only fear what our disobedience will cause us to miss." One obvious thing I will miss is not being able to keep up with my three kids. Plus my health is going to deteriorate and I will end up with medical issues.

She also asks this: "Am I willing to give up what I love to God who loves me more?" There are times when sadly, the answer is no. Today, I am willing to give up my food addiction.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." This passage was talking about fleeing sexual immorality, but it fits with taking care of your body for health as well.

This verse in Isaiah is especially comforting: Chapter 41, verse 13 says "For I hold you by your right hand - I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, Don't be afraid, I am here to help you." Why do I think that God would ask me to do something and then not help me accomplish it?! The enemy does not want me to succeed.

Here is my plan:
1. Seek God every morning for daily strength so I can be obedient.

2. Stop eating all types of refined sugar. I will only eat natural sources, like fruit.
**I will focus on eating healthy, whole foods.

3. Exercise 3 times a week for a month, then increase to 5 times a week.
**Couch to 5K program on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
**After 4 weeks, add a workout DVD on Monday and Friday.
**Sunday and Wednesday will be rest days.

4. When I am tempted to fall into an old trap, I will seek God and find a non-food replacement for the issue at hand.

I am starting today, but what I fear most is letting God down....being a disappointment. I think I will add positive encouragement throughout my house to help keep my focus on YES!