This week definitely got away from me, and I didn’t post to the blog as much as I had hoped. But I did complete my study! So, as promised, let’s do the “Group Study” here. Feel free to imagine us sitting in a living room together, your favorite beverage at hand…let’s go ahead and share as the Lord leads!
Dear Heavenly Father, please be with us in this “virtual living room” as we study from the HEAL book and your Word. Please show us what we should share–to know what is from you and that you want us to post and what might need to be pondered privately in our hearts and offered to you. May you be King over this technology in our lives. We proclaim you LORD over this blog and over this study. Thank you, Jesus, for providing the way that this can happen. Be exalted. Amen.
What are some thoughts or questions that you have as you read over Psalm 139? If we were in a group together face-to-face, we would read it out loud together and chat about each verse as we go. What might you feel led to share about? How did this psalm strike you? (Refer to page 31 of the HEAL book.) If you don’t have the HEAL book, please feel free to share anyhow!
The authors state on page 32 that there are important lessons from Psalm 139:
1.) God is familiar with all our ways.
2.) We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
3.) We were made in absolute intimacy with our Maker. Our heart hungers to return to this place if intimacy, peace, and solitude before God.
4.) God’s eyes saw our unformed body.
Can you respond to these? Do they “strike” you in any way in particular? How do these lessons affect (or how *can* they affect) the way you view yourself or your body?
Share your personal experiences regarding your weight, eating habits, and body image. Specifically discuss what you wrote in response to the three reflection from your personal study this week that began on page 22 and 23 under “My HEAL Journey.”
For those who don’t have the book, but who want to join in, we were asked in the HEAL book to consider our relationships with food and our body and to answer:
Where I have been…
Where I am now…
Where I want to be
I want to hear from you! Let’s share here. 🙂
Part 2 coming tomorrow.
About this time last year, I began my journey of releasing weight. What I didn't realize at the time was that God wanted so much more. He wanted every part of my life surrendered completely to Him. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Too bad carrying it out isn't simple, but it's my fault that it isn't.I released 45 pounds for which I am thankful and I have been able to maintain this with the exception of about 5 pounds, but I know that weight release isn't all there is.I am struggling now with letting go of the scales. They don't truly measure success anyway. Where I am in my relationship with my God is what measures success. I know this but actually carrying out in reality is where it gets tricky.I appreciate prayers and any advice you have for me. I am enjoying this study.
About this time last year, I began my journey of releasing weight. What I didn't realize at the time was that God wanted so much more. He wanted every part of my life surrendered completely to Him. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Too bad carrying it out isn't simple, but it's my fault that it isn't.I released 45 pounds for which I am thankful and I have been able to maintain this with the exception of about 5 pounds, but I know that weight release isn't all there is.I am struggling now with letting go of the scales. They don't truly measure success anyway. Where I am in my relationship with my God is what measures success. I know this but actually carrying out in reality is where it gets tricky.I appreciate prayers and any advice you have for me. I am enjoying this study.
Share your personal experiences regarding your weight: Ok lets see. For meI started gaining after high school, not a lot but enough to where I wasn't so skinny anymore and I noticed clothes were tighter. Then a few years later I got pregnant and the rest is history (along with marriage and 2 more pregnancies after that). I have learned through the Thin Within journey with the Lord, that I eat to avoid responsibility (big one), I eat for something to do because I hate sitting still, I eat when I have to make a decision and I don't know what to do, I eat when I am sad and also when I am in social situations and my focus is all over the place.My body image…I just went to dictionary.com and looked up the definition for body image so I could better answer this question. I get this:an intellectual or idealized image of what one's body is or should be like Ok so if I look at this definition…what I have thought my body should be like is thin, size 6 maybe, weighing 115-120 pounds. ummm, being like the world portrays when you eat healthy and exercise. I think that sums it up. One that my husband would think is "georgeous," which of course has set me up for failure in this department because I never feel like I live up to what I want him to see me as. (wow things I am learning now just writing this, for the first time)"Specifically discuss what you wrote in response to the three reflection from your personal study this week that began on page 22 and 23 under "My HEAL Journey.""Where I have been…lost, looking to the world for answers, clinging to a body image that is not idealistic in reality.Where I am now…I am seeking the Lord on this, because He will give me the pure, total satisfactory, clear answer. I am learning to be content in my "come as you are" way and open in faith to see what the Lord is doing in my heart and trying to learn to obey Him in all areas and see what comes of my body then. Leaving it in His hands…giving Him my heart and letting Him have His way with it, and making it my joy to do this as my priority.Where I want to be…I want to be at peace. I want to be so unfocused on eating and my body that I can serve the Lord with everything I've got. Even if it is doing laundry, caring for my husband and three children, working, whatever the task at hand may be, that I may be doing it all for the glory of God and have complete peace in that. I want to be where nothing is hindering me…as far as this stronghold has for so long. I want God to be my perfect portion and to rest in Him completely in all moments!!!!!!!!!!!On to part 2 of the study….
Share your personal experiences regarding your weight: Ok lets see. For meI started gaining after high school, not a lot but enough to where I wasn't so skinny anymore and I noticed clothes were tighter. Then a few years later I got pregnant and the rest is history (along with marriage and 2 more pregnancies after that). I have learned through the Thin Within journey with the Lord, that I eat to avoid responsibility (big one), I eat for something to do because I hate sitting still, I eat when I have to make a decision and I don't know what to do, I eat when I am sad and also when I am in social situations and my focus is all over the place.My body image…I just went to dictionary.com and looked up the definition for body image so I could better answer this question. I get this:an intellectual or idealized image of what one's body is or should be like Ok so if I look at this definition…what I have thought my body should be like is thin, size 6 maybe, weighing 115-120 pounds. ummm, being like the world portrays when you eat healthy and exercise. I think that sums it up. One that my husband would think is "georgeous," which of course has set me up for failure in this department because I never feel like I live up to what I want him to see me as. (wow things I am learning now just writing this, for the first time)"Specifically discuss what you wrote in response to the three reflection from your personal study this week that began on page 22 and 23 under "My HEAL Journey.""Where I have been…lost, looking to the world for answers, clinging to a body image that is not idealistic in reality.Where I am now…I am seeking the Lord on this, because He will give me the pure, total satisfactory, clear answer. I am learning to be content in my "come as you are" way and open in faith to see what the Lord is doing in my heart and trying to learn to obey Him in all areas and see what comes of my body then. Leaving it in His hands…giving Him my heart and letting Him have His way with it, and making it my joy to do this as my priority.Where I want to be…I want to be at peace. I want to be so unfocused on eating and my body that I can serve the Lord with everything I've got. Even if it is doing laundry, caring for my husband and three children, working, whatever the task at hand may be, that I may be doing it all for the glory of God and have complete peace in that. I want to be where nothing is hindering me…as far as this stronghold has for so long. I want God to be my perfect portion and to rest in Him completely in all moments!!!!!!!!!!!On to part 2 of the study….
Allison, hang in there! Letting go of the scale is a lifelong challenge to over come. Maybe have a friend take it for a couple of weeks and see how you fare. If you plan on it not being forever, maybe you will be able to release it more willingly. Pray and see what God leads you to do. Lord, Please show Allison what she is to do. Thank you for the way you have been at work in her. Amen!Kim, I am so glad you are participating in our study, too. What a blessing your posts are to me! Wow, what you said here: I have learned through the Thin Within journey with the Lord, that I eat to avoid responsibility (big one), I eat for something to do because I hate sitting still, I eat when I have to make a decision and I don't know what to do, I eat when I am sad and also when I am in social situations and my focus is all over the place…… is VERY convicting to me! Thank you for sharing that. Yikes. I need to pray these things through. And this: I am seeking the Lord on this, because He will give me the pure, total satisfactory, clear answer. YES YES YES! You say things so well!You also said: I want God to be my perfect portion and to rest in Him completely in all moments!!!!!!!!!!!AMEN!
Allison, hang in there! Letting go of the scale is a lifelong challenge to over come. Maybe have a friend take it for a couple of weeks and see how you fare. If you plan on it not being forever, maybe you will be able to release it more willingly. Pray and see what God leads you to do. Lord, Please show Allison what she is to do. Thank you for the way you have been at work in her. Amen!Kim, I am so glad you are participating in our study, too. What a blessing your posts are to me! Wow, what you said here: I have learned through the Thin Within journey with the Lord, that I eat to avoid responsibility (big one), I eat for something to do because I hate sitting still, I eat when I have to make a decision and I don't know what to do, I eat when I am sad and also when I am in social situations and my focus is all over the place…… is VERY convicting to me! Thank you for sharing that. Yikes. I need to pray these things through. And this: I am seeking the Lord on this, because He will give me the pure, total satisfactory, clear answer. YES YES YES! You say things so well!You also said: I want God to be my perfect portion and to rest in Him completely in all moments!!!!!!!!!!!AMEN!
Hi! I'm back. I was doing the summer study and life got in the way. I'm on day 22 wanting to finish. I'm glad you are continuing on. I can't buy another book to have shipped overseas right now, so I appreciate you asking the questions etc. for those who don't have one. Ps. 139 has been a favorite of mine. The Lord has especially used vs. 5 in my life at a time when everything seemed to be falling apart. "You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me." At the time I was memorizing and meditating on this verse, I had the opportunity to see a potter's demonstration. The potter was hovered over the wheel and had her hand on the clay as she shaped it. Sometimes, she pressed lightly, sometimes it was harder, but always she was in control. This gave new meaning to this verse for me. God, my potter, is hovered over me. He is in control of the pressures of life that I am feeling. Even the pressures from being overweight. The worst that can happen is that He will put me back in the bucket of water to soften me so that He can mold me again. That's where I am now. Out of the bucket and back on the potter's wheel.In response to your questions…Where have I been…I am always looking for something, anything (but God) to help me in this area of my life. Some new book, diet plan, accountability partner, whatever…God wants me to come to Him and Him alone.Where am I now…letting go. I can't do it. Only God can. There are other areas in my life also that I know God wants to work, but it is painful. Not sure I can go there, but I have to.Where I want to be…at rest without this constant food/weight struggle. It is so distracting to me. I want to keep my mind stayed on God without all the distractions so that I can serve Him unhindered.Thanks for being there and continuing on!
Hi! I'm back. I was doing the summer study and life got in the way. I'm on day 22 wanting to finish. I'm glad you are continuing on. I can't buy another book to have shipped overseas right now, so I appreciate you asking the questions etc. for those who don't have one. Ps. 139 has been a favorite of mine. The Lord has especially used vs. 5 in my life at a time when everything seemed to be falling apart. "You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me." At the time I was memorizing and meditating on this verse, I had the opportunity to see a potter's demonstration. The potter was hovered over the wheel and had her hand on the clay as she shaped it. Sometimes, she pressed lightly, sometimes it was harder, but always she was in control. This gave new meaning to this verse for me. God, my potter, is hovered over me. He is in control of the pressures of life that I am feeling. Even the pressures from being overweight. The worst that can happen is that He will put me back in the bucket of water to soften me so that He can mold me again. That's where I am now. Out of the bucket and back on the potter's wheel.In response to your questions…Where have I been…I am always looking for something, anything (but God) to help me in this area of my life. Some new book, diet plan, accountability partner, whatever…God wants me to come to Him and Him alone.Where am I now…letting go. I can't do it. Only God can. There are other areas in my life also that I know God wants to work, but it is painful. Not sure I can go there, but I have to.Where I want to be…at rest without this constant food/weight struggle. It is so distracting to me. I want to keep my mind stayed on God without all the distractions so that I can serve Him unhindered.Thanks for being there and continuing on!
Senkyoushi, I am so glad to see you back again! I wondered if you were still "out there." One thing about cyberspace is people come and go so easily/quickly! I am a visual person, so thanks for the reminder of the potter related to Psalm 139. I used to "throw pots" years ago, so I can definitely relate to this image!So glad you are back with us!
Senkyoushi, I am so glad to see you back again! I wondered if you were still "out there." One thing about cyberspace is people come and go so easily/quickly! I am a visual person, so thanks for the reminder of the potter related to Psalm 139. I used to "throw pots" years ago, so I can definitely relate to this image!So glad you are back with us!