There are many weird and quirky things about me. (Kim) For instance, I only wear red, black, white and gray, except on St. Patrick’s Day. I have crazy names and bizarre uses for common things. My couch has storage under every seat, so I have deemed it my “couch pantry”. I carry low carb, low calorie, low Point tortillas in my car, at all times, and they are now called “cartillas”. I lovingly refer to one of my dearest friends as “Bob” and the giant bean bag in my living room is the “jolly candy-like sack”!
People who are around me, for any period of time, eventually know these things about me. One thing that most everyone who knows me is privy to is my fondness for my “savor spoons”. I first started using these tiny spoons to get myself to slow down when eating any type of dessert. I have half a dozen of them at home and keep one in my purse to have on hand when on the go. I now use them for more than just the decadent foods. There could be a savor spoon in my hand at any meal, any time!
Over time, I have attributed much symbolism to the spoons. As I have begun to put more focus on God, and less on food, I have become more mindful of how blessed I am. When it comes down to it, what has been my biggest battle in life – food and weight loss – is merely a need to manage my blessings. I have more than enough of whatever foods I want, whenever I want and I was complaining because I must moderate my intake. When the reality hit me that I was complaining about being so blessed, these spoons became a reminder to me to be thankful. They are an anchor for me.
Over the past couple of years, I have gifted them to a few special people in my life. I wish I could put one in the hand of every person who battles their weight and relationship with food. Alas, I do not have the means to purchase spoons for the masses, but I can share my thoughts and the meanings associated with that tiny spoon, maybe inspiring you to get your own! They shall henceforth be called the “Spoon of Savoring”,or S.O.S., if you will, since they help to remind me of my blessings in moments when I need to be rescued from old ways of interacting with food. May it serve as a constant reminder to slow down and savor, because there’s always more!
Nehemiah 8:10b “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalms 30:5b Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Proverbs 27:17 Ironsharpensiron, and one man sharpens another.
1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
PRACTICAL WAYS TO ADD JOY TO THE JOURNEY:
1 – Make up your mind/abide in the Word – decide that you will enjoy each day. Develop a new mindset. Have a good attitude, There’s no reason to be miserable “I choose not to have that rather than I can’t have that.” Take every thought captive. No deprivation!
2 – Get others involved – don’t walk alone! Help someone else. Find a community/a buddy – “Iron sharpens iron.” (Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.)
3 -Join a challenge group (online or at a gym)
4 – Try new recipes & foods – cooking healthy food is fun!
Try new products – it’s a blast!
Experiment with new seasonings (herbs, spices, sauces)
Try new activities! Find something you LOVE!
5 – Track & measure – the gamification aspect can be fun!
6 – Eat mindfully: slow down and engage all your senses – Savor!
The Weight Watchers* theme for the month of June was “Drop an Anchor”. The conversation was about exploring our “why”. In the context of workshops, we were looking for a single “why”. I shared mine and how it came about – “This Time is Different”. However, my “why” is deeper than that. It is the answer to the question, “Why is this time different?” That is my true “why”. The answer is found in the Word. As a Christian, my primary anchor is the Word, and my relationship with God through Jesus Christ. My ultimate “why” is found only in that context.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
This time is different because my “why” is to glorify God in my body and to eat and drink to the glory of God. When this became the foundation of my weight loss and wellness journey, things changed – I changed. When I got it into my heart and spirit that my body was not just mine, but was bought with a price – the precious blood of Jesus Christ – getting healthy became a different mission. Saying “no” to certain things and “yes” to others became a victory in a spiritual battle. I began to position myself in such a way that the fruit of the Spirit could grow – especially self control.
When I looked at this battle with weight through this new lens, things began to come into focus like never before. As I applied the Word, my mind was renewed and transformation occurred. (Romans 12:1-2) It has been slow, but it has been permanent change. Fear of going back to who I was or gaining all of the weight back has been vanquished, because God has walked me through this process – confronting me and convicting me of the sins of gluttony and sloth, all while empowering me to change and assuring me that I’m forgiven. That is the point of the Word!
2 Timothy 3:16 & 17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
God’s grace gives us the freedom to change. He will strengthen and encourage us in our journey, but we must take the steps. It is incumbent on us to respond to the Word and be obedient to it, not for God’s benefit, but for our own. He’s made provision for every need, but we have a part to play. Notice in 2 Timothy 3:17, the last word is “work”. We have work to do! God will not do it for us, but He will prepare us and equip us by His Word!
What would each day look like if you treated your body like it was bought with the blood of Jesus Christ?
How would you need to feed, move and rest your body to glorify God in it?
What would you need to change in regard to your eating and drinking in order to do it to the glory of God?
The answers to these questions, along with anchoring your “why” in Christ and the Word, will change your journey and your life!
*Weight Watchers is a trademark of Weight Watchers International. Weight Watchers does not endorse this site or the opinions expressed here.
In this episode, we discuss how discouragement, depression and weariness can take their toll on us in our health and wellness journey, and in life in general, but there is hope in Christ! There are answers and instructions in the Word, and when applied we can walk in victory!
Press On – to persist steadfastly in pursuit of an undertaking, task, journey or goal
synonyms – persevere, persist, be determined, continue, endure
We always use a lot of Scripture and have consolidated it for you here.
Philippians 3:12-16 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
James 1:12 – God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Isaiah 40:28-31 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Joshua 1:9 – This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
James 1:25 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Galatians 6:9 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up
Isaiah 55:11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Matthew 5:25-34 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
Mark 2:1-5 When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them. They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
