Let the dieting begin! Most of us had good intentions for maintaining our weight over the Thanksgiving weekend. But when we stepped on the scales this morning, we couldn’t get away from the truth: We indulged, we overate, and now it shows. UGHHH!
So now you feel like a failure. You might have even said “I wish I could” or “if only” or “too bad I can’t do it over.” The question is, who hasn’t thought this way? Unfortunately, our choices are not something we can rewind or erase. But when we confess our sin, God forgives us. Our memory is often selective, and it reminds us of our failures. The enemy, our accuser, loves this. Satan wants us to live with regret, guilt, and shame. First Peter 5:8 reminds us, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
We can’t fix ourselves or make ourselves into someone else. But God can. He will make us into the best version of ourselves. God wants you to be the best you—you can be! It’s when we are at our weakest God can strengthen us. When He strengthens us, that’s when he is glorified. Second Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
With God’s strength, we can do above and beyond what we expect. Remember the man who was paralyzed for thirty-eight years? He sat on his mat by the pool for thirty-eight years watching everyone else get healed. And then one day, Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?” The paralyzed man realized he was talking to the power source and said, “Yes.” The man whose legs had been frozen on his mat for most of his life got up and walked. Basically it’s like saying God, “Yes, I want to get well.” When we say “yes” to God’s power, he does amazing things. It’s minimizing ourselves so Jesus Christ can increase. Less of you, less of me, and more of God. That’s what gives God glory.
Have you experienced God’s power living in you? Ever felt impatient because someone cut you off on the freeway? Or given a blessing when at another time you might have done just the opposite? Romans 8:9 describes the struggle: “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” When the spirit of God lives in us, we make a difference in all the lives we touch.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing my weakness to display your strength. Your specialty is healing, restoring, making dreams come true. Would you live in me? Jesus, could you really live through me? You gave your life for me. I give you full control. I lay my life before you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for sending your Holy Spirit to live in me, today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I love the song by Big Daddy Weave “What Life Would Be Like.” I think you will find encouragement—that you are not alone in your struggle to allow God to live in you. Have a blessed day, and happy dieting!
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