Fullness? Or Satisfaction?
What do we really need?
When we first try the principles in Thin Within, the thought of stopping eating when we feel merely “satisfied” seems…so…well…UNsatisfying! What are we after when this happens?
“Fullness.”
Physically, many of us have taught our stomachs for years that we only stop eating when we are FULL or, even, miserable. This is clearly beyond what our bodies need and retraining ourselves the truth about this is important (and, yes, it CAN be done!). As we begin to be more sensitive to what our bodies actually require for nourishment (a LOT less food than most Americans consume!) we begin to see we long for FULLNESS at a different level.
The scriptures use this word, “fullness” in a number of passages. I thought I would share some of these here today. I hope you are encouraged!
The upshot, however, is: Food will not provide the type of “fullness” that we long for. In fact, if we set aside physical “fullness” our stomachs will thank us, many of our uncomfortable maladies–upset stomachs and difficulty with various bodily functions–may go away or, at the very least, subside considerably.
Not only that, but our spirits will soar. We were created for eternity and that God-shaped hole can only be “filled” with the fullness of our Lord!
Let’s have a look.
John 1:15-17
John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ” From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
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“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another!” Glorious truth!
Note what it is NOT. It is NOT fullness from eating all the steak and shrimp that I could possibly want or having free access to a full pantry without guilt…that is not the fullness spoken of here! It is the fullness of His grace that provides our souls with the unending satisfaction of blessing upon blessing. Let’s go to Him to experience THIS fullness!
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Ephesians 1: 22-23
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
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Jesus is our fullness. He fills everything in every way–including our souls, spirits, emotions…whatever empty place we may have deep within us, he will FILL. Isn’t that amazing?
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Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
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In Christ, because of the love of God, I am filled to the measure of all the fullness of God!
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Ephesians 4:11-13
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
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We have gifts given us by the Holy Spirit. As we allow fellow believers to minister to us and as we minister to others, we grow in our relationship with Christ (instead of our body size) and we become more mature…reaching forward to the “whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Fullness that isn’t unhealthy, that doesn’t cause our bodies to become obese, but that give us an overwhelming satisfaction in the Lord…what a wonderful truth!
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Colossians 2:8-10
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
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Oh, how I hope this encourages your heart! The next time we find ourselves disgruntled about how little food we are eating, let us praise God for the fullness that He supplies us in Christ! We have been given FULLness in Christ! Praise His Name!
The wonderful thing about this is that we CAN be FULL all the time! As we allow HIM to be sufficient…as we go to Him to invite Him to be our all…whatever we need and, more, even what we want…and beyond…He WILL supply that fullness of heart, soul, mind that truly sustains.
I believe it. Admittedly, I don’t always live like I believe it, but I have experienced it enough to know it is true.
When I am tempted to eat when I don’t have a physical need for food…when I turn to food looking for “fullness,” if I can capture the moment for Christ and, instead, invite Christ to help me to experience the fullness that I have in Him…well, it *does* make a difference!
