Whenever you want to do something great in your life, your faith that you will succeed will be TESTED.
This is especially true when you are working to change your weight and health.
- Your resolve will be tested
- Your desire will be tested
- Your patience will be tested
Yet, you can pass every faith test when you know how to defeat faith’s biggest enemy.
What enemy am I talking about?
Forgetfulness. Remember this phrase: “Forgetfulness is the enemy of faith.”
Think about it. How many times have you started a health improvement plan with great enthusiasm – only to abandon it a few weeks later?
Did you ever wonder why this happens?
Many times, it happens because we conveniently forget about the reason we wanted to make the change – or else decide (subconsciously) that the process to change isn’t worth the effort!
If you are believing God to help you change your health for the better, then you must combat forgetfulness in three areas:
- Forgetting about God’s mighty Power
- Forgetting about your Purpose in better health
- Forgetting about the Plan necessary to achieve your purpose
Let’s deal with each one:
- Forgetting about God’s Power: Remember – there is NOTHING too hard for God!
Most of us have read the story of the 12 men sent out to spy the Promised Land (see Numbers, chapter 13). In the story, God promised the Israelites a land of “milk and honey.” And yet when it was time to take over the land, they refused to do it because of the obstacles they would face.
They forgot that this same God delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. He defeated their enemy and parted the Red Sea so they could cross safely.
To remember God’s power in your life, start a “Journal of Testimony” to document all the blessings God has done for you in the past and as you live in the present, write down every blessing as it happens – before you forget.
Then when your resolve faith is tested, you can open your “JOT” book and be encouraged that if God helped you before, He will do it again.
- Forgetting about your Purpose in better health: Answer this question – why do you want to lose weight and get healthy?
If you don’t bother to write down your purpose in achieving better health and review it often, then forgetfulness has just defeated your faith. Make your reasons powerful and meaningful for you. You need to see the end of the journey and make your vision so magnetic that you can’t help but be drawn to it. Remind yourself of your vision as often as possible so your faith remains strong.
- Forgetting about the Plan necessary to achieve your purpose
I used to HATE counting anything regarding my eating. I didn’t care if it was counting calories, carbs, fiber, points, whatever. I did not like to count. So thankfully, in my first 8 years on this health journey, I didn’t have to. I reached my ideal size and stay there for several years. As long as I maintained a healthy eating pattern 90% of the time and allowed myself treats in moderation 10% of the time, I was good.
But then something changed.
I found myself gaining weight. My clothes started getting tight and energy level headed south. My diet hadn’t changed much, so what was going on? Then the lightbulb came on – I am getting older. My hormonal balance has changed. I needed make adjustments in my portion sizes. I can’t eat as much as I used to.
As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I needed to take the step of counting.
I wrote about this in a previous article, but I use an app and website to do this. There have been times when I conveniently want to “forget” to record something I’ve eaten, but I remind myself: “Forgetfulness is the enemy of faith.” So I record because I want to remember to do the things that will help me stay on track.
My pastor often says “A sharp pencil is better than a good memory.”
The reward for my faith is that I am within shouting distance of my regular size. It feels great!
What plan do you need to practice to reach your vision? Whether you use an app or a website or journal or a piece of paper, you need a method to help keep you accountable for remembering to do it.
Don’t let the enemy of forgetfulness rob you of your future vision. Power, Purpose, Plan. Remember, remember, remember!
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the Take Back Your Temple program
P.S. Are you struggling with the challenges of emotional eating? Many people with eating issues know what to do but have a hard time doing it. That is where you need a community that supports each other!
In the Take Back Your Temple program, you will get all the support you need to overcome the Spiritual and emotional battles of weight loss, connected in our Overcomers community.
Click here to confirm the Take Back Your Temple program is right for you.
For me it was Thyroid. It took me almost 2 years to convince my doctor that it was low. Now that he is agreeing and I am on something for it, my metabolism is picking back up. I don’t feel hungry all the time either. I am praying for you also that you will see a good doctor and if you research something and see that something is off in your lab work, don’t give up. I didn’t. Bless you my sister.
Beloved Janelle, I am praying for you my Sister in Christ. I want you to read the Encouraging Scriptures: Who I am in Christ section on this sight. These scriptures come from women who may have felt the same way you did at one time. I want you to know that there is no condemnation in Christ. He is about building you up not tearing you down. When you have these thoughts of being ashamed and despondent, I pray that you listen to the still small voice that says you are beautiful, you are beloved, you are the daughter of the most High God. You are an heir to the throne, you are more that a conqueror through Him who loves you. You are beloved. You were bought with a price. You are His.
Thank you for you encouragement. Please allow me a moment to vent.
I doesn’t seem like I forget why…every time I tell the LORD I love HIM, I remember why. Every time I ask that I be being filled with HIS sweet Holy Spirit I remember why. Every time I look at my 8 year old I remember why. Every time I look in the mirror I remember why. The “why” I can’t figure out is “why” isn’t it as important as I know it is? I started receiving your emails since February and didn’t order until May, but still didn’t have time to utilize the program. “Why?” I have many “why”s I would like answers to, as I am certain if I knew “why” I could do better. I’ve changed my eating habits much over the years, never been much of junk food person, never big on sugar, or eating late night snacks. If you saw my pantry you wouldn’t find any junk in there…I am no where near as purposeful in my eating as I have recently been because I feel so jaded about the situation! Honestly, I wish I never had to eat again!!! For as long as I remember I have been sleepy just about all the time and have had digestion/intestinal issues. I know my weight isn’t all diet, there’s more to it, but I don’t want to be bothered any more. I know HIS grace is sufficient, but apparently I haven’t allowed it to be sufficient in this battle. Apparently, my trust and dependency on HIM in this area is low low and I am ashamed and despondent. Someone pray for me. I don’t want to stay this way, and truly understand that my body is not my own and has been bought with a preciousness. I not ready to give up. I just need some “get up and go”…I NEED HIS grace-HIS mighty miracle working power. So if you who read this, whoever you may be, and you are urged to intercede for me PLEASE do! I will thank you on the glory side.
I know HE hears and HE cares, but still right now I feel limp:/
LORD, I ask in the Name of Your precious SON to pull up and pull me out of this place and help me. Please help me. Your daughter, Janelle
My sweet sister, I feel for you on a very personal level. Please, I beg you to look at a condition called adrenal fatigue. I have had it for years and didn’t know what it was. I was to the point of total dispare. I had a heart to heart with my spiritual leader. After praying for revelation, I was lead in the direction to discover the syndrome and develop a plan of action.
Our loving Father does want more for you and we will carry you to that point. Praying for you. In his service.
Thanks for the encouragement. Into my second week and I really needed to hear these words today.
Thank you for always being there. Starting over again, and this is what the LORD order. I need write everything down in my journal daily so I dont forget. Thank you and I pray the LORD continue to bless you.
Thanks
Do you know that the Lord put on my heart to purchase a journal last week. I purchased a small spiral notebook that would fit in the purse. I wrote on page 1 journal again and closed it. I did not know what to write. In the last hour I was thinking about how much the Lord has shown me favor and truly blessed me. I know The Holy Spirit was setting me up for this activity. I just read this article and am reflecting on how much God has been “Daddy” to me through the good, bad and ugly. Thank you Kim for responding personally to these emails. I know you are going alongside me on this journey.
This word on Your Faith’s Biggest Enemy has encouraged me to keep moving forward in taking back my temple, Praise God!
Hi B, D, and She,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am so pleased you are using the information to positive benefit. I praise God for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned. As you continue your journey may you too use what God teaches you to benefit others!
I’m lovin’ this website, down 12 lbs in 6 weeks! I found your website quickly after May 6th encounter w/the Lord at church that Sunday morning!! Praise God!! He hears & answers, leads & guides, Thank you so much for being here!
You are an awesome encouragement—Truly a wonderful servant of God. God is working through you in my life. I wanted to let you know that just by reading your posts and experiences, I have lost 5 pounds in like 1 week. Thank you so much. And I Thank God for you in my life.