Quick question: Let’s say you had a friend who wanted to drive to Canada. She got on the road and started driving. But somehow, she took a wrong turn. She is now headed to Mexico – the opposite direction!
What would you tell your friend if she called to relate what happened?
Would you say, “I can’t believe you messed up! You need to start over. Drive on back home and start that trip all over again.”
Of course, you wouldn’t say that!
Then why do we take that “start all over again” mindset when we make mistakes on our weight loss journey?
Instead, you’d likely tell your friend not to worry; she needs to re-calculate the trip to Canada from where she is now.
It is the same if you make mistakes on your weight loss journey. Just as you’d give your friend grace, give yourself grace!
Using God's Grace for Mistake Recovery
As with a regular road trip, the wisest thing is to turn on the GPS (God Positioning System). Through God's grace, He provides wisdom to know what to do and His strength to take action.
He makes the following promise:
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
Ask for Godly wisdom to show you:
- Your current location
- Where you made the wrong turn (so if you pass that way again, you can avoid the wrong turn)
- How to navigate to your intended destination from where you are now
On my weight loss journey, it was discouraging to think, “I have to start over again” when I messed up.
What was more encouraging for me was to realize that life goes on, even if I mess up.
I could have confidence that I would eventually get there, even if the trip took longer than I thought when I started. And it would be worth it!
Here is something else I learned: Life is happening now. Since the Lord does not promise tomorrow to me, it is pointless to wait until I reach my destination to feel good about myself.
Instead, I could renew my mind to my identity in Christ, affirm that I am accepted in the Beloved right now and enjoy the journey, knowing that my Savior is with me.
If you make a wrong turn on your journey, remember it makes no sense to quit the trip and start over. Learn the lesson and keep moving forward with the next choice.
You will get to your destination in due season. With faith and patience, you will inherit God’s promises. Embrace God’s grace!
Note: The following was an excerpt from the ‘Giving Yourself Grace for Mistakes’ lesson in the 'Healthy Weight Loss God's Way' course, found in the Take Back Your Temple Christian weight loss program.