You Were Planned!

Do you ever feel without purpose, meaningless in the grand scheme of things? Often times it is that feeling that convinces us we are not worthy of self care or love, and that tends to manifest itself first in our health.

Believing that we are some how part of the “unworthy class” or the “useless sector”, is a common lie that holds us captive. It is a seed the enemy plants and can easily walk away from, knowing that we will do just fine to water it and grow it all on our own. Our culture even fuels this way of thinking.  Society paints a very narrow definition of success and if we don’t feel like our body or our bank account fit the part, its very easy to live in the lie that we are without purpose.

Here is the two part defense to that lie (courtesy of Paul):

1.”(8) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- (9) not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Do you see what Paul is saying here? Your worth, your very precious life is not special because you have accumulated more “points” than your neighbor and it’s not worthless if you have accumulated less. Societal norms almost never line up with God’s view. Your value is from God; it’s His gift to you. He designed it that way and specifically made it not about “works” so that “no one can boast.” Why do you think that is? Look at how we judge each other–By works, by appearances! He knew that, and wanted to free us from that bondage. That part of the verse is absolutely vital! Which leads to the second half…

2.”(10) For you are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

You are God’s handiwork! This verse talks about a plan that was made in advance which specifically includes you. Your role is vital. You are not some accident, that has forced God to whip up some way to fit you in. Imagine a massive puzzle, one that covers the entire universe. Imagine that nearly all the pieces are put together, but one piece is missing. Is it complete? No! And if you have ever made a puzzle, you know you are not satisfied until all the pieces are there. Just as the body of Christ is not complete without you. Don’t remove yourself from the masterpiece. Remember, You are God’s Handiwork!!!!

Notice the word “works” is used again, but it’s not just “works” by itself, it is “good works”.  This is no longer the worldly definition of “works”, this is the Godly definition of works. “Good works” are the works He created you to fulfill. They come with out pressure or the bondage of comparison thinking. These works come from faith, that you are loved and set apart by a God that planned you according to his eternal purpose. You cannot tally them up and cash them in–that’s the worldly definition. No, instead these flow from you, because they were created in you before you were even born. They were Gifted to you by your Father and no one else can fulfill what He wants to do through you, but YOU!

*Let God define your life and what true success is!

*Know you are worthy of good health and happiness!

*Have faith in His plan and submit to His timing (its better than the worlds)!

No matter how long you have been told you are unworthy, worthless, fat, stupid, or an embarrassment, its simply NOT true! There is a very real enemy that knows God wants to glorify himself in you, and he has put people and situations in your life to keep you in that defeated mindset. But you can stand up to him and that way of thinking with the POWERFUL, LIVING WORD OF GOD! Please comment below that you will commit to putting Ephesians 2:8-10 to memory and anytime you think you are worthless you will combat those thoughts with His Word! As someone who has been there, I promise your life will change!

I love you! And His Kingdom needs you! Your smile, your hug, your encouragement! You bring His light to the darkness! 

Take Care of Yourself!!!!

HI FROM ME AND MY BABY!!!!

“Fat Days”

I hate the word fat, but it is a word that cannot be avoided. Used as it should, it simply defines a substance (or nutrient) that can be used and stored in the body for many useful purposes. But we rarely use it in that context. We typically use it to describe a physical condition that is “unattractive”, “lowly”. And now because we use that word as a way to slash and attack others, it is often hard to hear it any other way. Obesity is ramped, but it is next to impossible to address this health concern without creating a major offense. Then there is the anorexia epidemic, this one is getting harder and harder to spot as the enemy has instilled such a great lust for its physical manifestations. It too is birthed from the word “fat”.

So, what are we left with? It either rules our lives us a very unhealthy coat of armor, or as the one thing we will sacrifice our health, happiness, and in some cases our lives, to escape from. While the rest of us, float somewhere in the middle raging war against the word, on the battlefield of our mind. So who is untouched by “fat”? I have yet to meet that person.

This has no doubt been the thorn in my side. Nothing even comes close. If I were Paul, the author of 2 Corinthians, I would be naked in a mirror somewhere while writing this:

“…I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'”  (2 Corinthians 12: 7-9)

I have been on both sides of the coin. I have suffered from anorexia and I have been overweight. However, regardless of where I sat, the voice in my head was the same. It was the voice of the enemy, the thorn.

“Oh my gosh, you are so gross. Please don’t eat in front of people, it will make others sick.”

“Everyone is looking at you thinking you are the ugliest person here.”

“Why would anyone want to be friends with you, you’re fat?”

“You really should try not to eat anything this week.”

{{Interesting. Same voice, same phrases…when I was under 100 lbs with bones popping out of my flesh, and when I was 30 lbs over weight, exhausted and depressed. Can you relate?}}

That voice came back to me this past week. I told myself I was just having a “fat day” (how easily do we toss that term around?). But then that “fat day” turned into a “fat week” and I began to feel my weakness set in. Where was my victory over this? I searched in all my old places, the mirror, the mind….weaker still. God was saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul repeats himself a lot in his letters to the church. In Philippians he says, “It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you” (Philippians 3:1). Paul, the man with the thorn in his side is a man who knows the importance of “reminders” and “safeguards”! I wonder how many times God had to tell him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”? I know I need reminding!

{{This thorn in my side will be removed in heaven, however, while I am here God will use it to display His power and His glory. He is using it right now as a teaching moment for me, maybe for you too. He gives us tools to cope with these thorns. These tools also keep us closer to Him. These tools are found in His Word.}}

So how can we make God a part of our health? Whether it be a battle with obesity, a secret struggle with anorexia, an obsession with perfection (that includes fitness addictions), or the negative voices that flood our minds and keep us from our purpose? It ALL comes from the same place. Once again, Paul has the answer:

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18).

****The struggle you and I face with vanity and with our health has very little to do with our bodies at all. It is a spiritual struggle that needs to be met with a spiritual answer. When met with the word “Fat” look up this verse! Ephesians 6:10-18 is an ACTION verse! Put that action in place, do not leave the health of your body and spirit to chance.**** You are a beautiful creation of God, everything about you was designed by Him. He wants you to be healthy and Happy, full of life, and clarity! Love you!

 

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