Stop the Torment

​When life is hard, our situation is critical, and we are afraid, God commands us to, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).  This applies to weight loss and eating disorders, too! 
 
Being overweight or suffering from an eating disorder is a source of frustration, shame, physical discomfort, and mental anguish for many people.  It is a method of torment used by the enemy.  1 John 4:18 teaches us, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment.  Where there is fear, love has not been perfected."  Some translations use the term "punishment" instead of torment.  Nevertheless, God is love (1 John 4:8), and it is He who casts out fear because it is not His will that you are ever tormented.  Furthermore, He does not want to enforce the ultimate punishment of sin upon you, namely, everlasting torment in hell when you leave this life and pass into the next.  However, when you sin against Him, He can't protect you from the torment because it is one of the consequences of sin just as disobeying your parents often invoked an element of fear of being punished.
 
God has told us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  Contrary to popular opinion, the root cause of obesity and eating disorders in the vast majority of individuals is rooted in sin.  Specifically, when you overeat or have a pattern of overindulgence in unhealthy foods and beverages, you commit the sin of gluttony and fail to honor God with your body by taking care of the temple of the Holy Spirit.  When you succumb to the temptation of an eating disorder, you also sin by failing to eat and drink for the glory of God in accordance with 1 Corinthians 10:31.
 
Moreover, you are well aware that your unhealthy lifestyle leads directly to high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease and strokes, if you are obese.  Those with eating disorders also suffer from a myriad of physical, emotional, and psychological problems, depending on the type and severity of the disorder.  Consequently, you are right to be afraid just like a child who is caught blatantly disobeying a parent should be afraid of the consequences.  Obedience is the cure for that kind of fear.  Obedience to God puts you at peace with Him the same way a child has no need to fear being scolded or spanked when they have done nothing wrong.
 
My prayer for you today is that you allow the love of God to be perfected within you by repenting from committing the sins of gluttony, making an idol of your stomach, and failing to eat and drink for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Then obey the Lord’s command to honor Him with your body by eating and drinking for the glory of God in order to take care of the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Thereafter, as you embark on your health and fitness journey, hold on to the peace given to you by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, regardless of your circumstances.  The world can't take it from you.  It is your choice to give it away.
  
If you are ready to magnify the Lord instead of your health and fitness dysfunctions, sign up for the Eating as an Act of Worship Health and Fitness Class TODAY!  During the 12-week course, you will learn the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God!  The classes are FREE!  There are NO REGISTRATION FEES or MEMBERSHIP FEES!  Participants are only responsible for the cost of the Eating as an Act of Worship Workbook, which can be ordered online at Amazon.com. 
 
Classes are available ONLINE via Periscope, a FREE APP for your phone or tablet, and IN PERSON at New Calvary Temple COGIC located at 1120 Bishop Lindsey Avenue in North Little Rock, Arkansas!  The EAW Adult Course begins on MONDAY, AUGUST 20TH at 6:00 p.m. CST.  The EAW Kidz Initiative Health and Fitness Course begins on TUESDAY, AUGUST 21ST at 6:00 p.m. CST!  If you’re unable to take the classes or you don’t want to wait to get started, then ORDER YOUR COPY of the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher’s Edition!  Don’t procrastinate!  Order your copy at Amazon.com and start serving the One True Living God in every aspect of your life, including your eating habits TODAY!