I rejoiced when I read the following message from a TBYT reader:
I have a note on my scale. It says, 'It's about the walk, not the weight.' I've had some success with weight loss and I'm realizing that the most important thing in all of this is loving obedience to the voice of the Lord."
Truer words have never been spoken! I just love that: "It's about the walk, not the weight."
Please remind yourselves of this truth if you ever find yourself tempted to scale worship. What is scale worship? It works like this:
- If you gain weight, Boo! You feel like mourning - so you eat.
- If you lose weight, Yay! You feel like celebrating - so you eat.
In other words, you give the scale power to control your moods. But the scale was only meant to be a tool for you, not to rule over you.
Stay focused on other signs that you are moving in the right direction in your weight loss plan:
- Boosted energy
- Improved quality of sleep
- Enhanced shape and muscle tone
- Improved flexibility
- Added glow to your skin
- Improved endurance
- Reduced depression
- Improved circulation
- Freer breathing
- Improved joint discomfort
- Increased confidence
- Greater mental focus
- Increased muscle strength
- Better mood control
- Enhanced balance and coordination
- Increased ability to handle stress
- Clearer skin
- Increased optimism about life
- Amplified desire to tackle other life goals
Don't all of these add up to improved quality of life? Take Back Your Temple is about living your life - not living a diet.
Too many people have the classic dieter's mindset, which is:
I'm going to eat this way until I get to a certain number on the scale, then I'll go back to eating my "normal" way."
However, didn't eating your old "normal" way cause you to gain weight from the start?
Does it make sense that you need a new "normal" to change permanently?
So keep on walking in the deliverance God has already started in you - and focus on improving the quality of each day, no matter what the number on the scale says. It will eventually take care of itself as you stick to your plan while you are living your life with purpose.
Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor Author of the Take Back Your Temple program