The Second “P” to Change: Promises
In my very late second installment of the 4 “Ps” to Change post, (if you missed the first, check it out here) I would like to talk about God’s promises, and how standing on them will help you to succeed in your goals. This can apply to any goals, but I am focusing on weight loss and fitness goals for these posts.
Let me start off by quoting the last part of John 15:5,
“For without me you can do nothing.”
I think that makes it pretty clear what we can do without God: NOTHING! So, God and His promises should be our starting point for any goal we set out to reach.
Does God really care about what we eat and how we take care of our bodies?
Yes. 1Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Are we glorifying our body when we load it full of junk and don’t take care of it? Are we glorifying God when we say, “God can help me with other things, but not this. It’s just too hard.” ? Are we glorifying God when we are not showing self control, which is a fruit of the spirit, in what and how much we eat? You were bought with a price, dear friends, a very hefty price, therefore we should seek to glorify God in ALL areas of our lives, which are not our own.
Doesn’t God love me just the way I am?
YES! He most definitely does! In Lysa Terkheurst’s amazing book, Made to Crave, she addresses this issue. God says, “Hey, I love you. Just as you are. But I love you too much to leave you stuck in this. So let’s fully turn from those things that are not beneficial for you.” “I like that about Jesus. I like that a lot. I like it more than chips. I like it more than chocolate.” We cannot be a picture of God’s victory if we are living in defeat.
What promises does God give me that can help me achieve my goals?
There are so many. I will list a few that I have found to be really powerful in my life. You can certainly add to this list. Make post-its, print them out and put them on your fridge, carry them around with you.
*Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37
You are a conqueror through Christ. He has already won all of these battles, friends; look to Him!
*Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:13-14
Don’t think about the times you have tried in the past and failed. Look forward, press toward the mark. Keep going!
*According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 1 Peter 1:3-4
He has already given us everything we need to succeed! He has given us these great and precious promises so that we can partake of divine things, we have escaped the world and its corruption, lets remember that when we are tempted in any way!
*Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5
Don’t let negative or oppressive thoughts and attitudes hold you back! Those things are not from God. Bring those thoughts into captivity and obedience to Christ and His word!! Start retraining your thoughts now, this will help you so much on your way to achieve your goals!
*My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalms 73:26
Our flesh and our heart WILL fail! But if we rely on God and HIS strength we will succeed!!
*Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 1 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all the things that contaminate our spirits AND our bodies!
To truly succeed, this has to be about more than the numbers on the scale, the compliments we get from others and the way our clothes fit. This has to be about pleasing God with our WHOLE selves and developing that fruit of the spirit: self control! Stand on those promises, sisters; YOU can “Do all things through Christ” who strengthens you!!
– Amanda, Beach Body Coach
I’ll leave you with our newest worship cool-down song, Your Great Name by Anthony Evans: