Whether you have stumbled upon this blog for the first time right now or have been a regular visitor, whether you are going to plunge into our summer study of the Thin Within book starting June 1st or won’t…what is it you want? What is it I want? What do you hope to get from studying the bible, walking with God, reading Thin Within, visiting this blog?
I am asking myself…why will I read/study the book, Thin Within, again? What am I hoping for? What do I want this time?
Maybe more importantly, what am I willing to do, say, give, be in order to experience it? Is there a goal I have? What do I think is really holding me back from realizing it?
One thing I know…my answers won’t be just about food, my body or weight…”Skinniness” is NOT next to “godliness!” I want to be totally free from judging myself or others from external appearances.
Another question I have for myself and for you before we launch our study (and I do hope you will answer these questions) is…what if I sense I have “failed” within say the first two weeks of our study? Am I willing to withhold judgment and to press on anyhow? Am I willing to consider my commitment to this process a more noble goal than other goals I might choose? The Christian life is nothing if not a process. That is what sanctification is all about…progressively becoming more and more Christ like!
I don’t want to buy in to Satan’s lie that if I don’t perform thus and so, then I am a failure, so I may as well quit. NO WAY. I urge you to be aware of this temptation before we ever get started. Commit this summer to being willing to learn whatever God shows you in whatever way he chooses to show you and I will do the same. Maybe you will release weight, maybe you won’t.
But will we–will you–choose to believe God that the process is worth it?
Have you ever been naturally good at a sport, like tennis or golf and never been taught at all by anyone professionally? Then you go to take your first lesson so you can improve and the professional tells you that s/he will have to start you from scratch…in effect rebuild your stroke from the ground up? In order to get better, you will have to get worse first? This isn’t uncommon. Sometimes we have to get to a place where things look worse before they look better. As God shows us the many ways we cling to things other than Him (including food), we may find ourselves clinging all the more…But hang in there with the process. Trust him that HE IS DOING a new thing–even if the process looks ugly for a bit. We may have to look worse…maybe even feel like we are losing a few rounds first–before it gets better.
Feel free to comment on these thoughts in the comments section. This blog is for you all! 🙂
What DO you want? What ARE you willing to do to get it? How willing are you to experience a process that looks very different from what you expect…? Even if it is ugly? 🙂
Will you hang in there for the duration anyhow?
I’m currently leading a Beth Moore study called Believing God. It has really challenged me to REALLY believe and REALLY trust God as I never have before. All the things you wrote are where Satan gets to me 100% and have fully experienced lately. I personally have dieted my way up to about 100 lbs overweight (cannot even believe that even as I write it). I know do NOT have another diet left in me and have come to realize that it isn’t about food (I certainly know how to do that) — this is about something going on inside of me and I want to know why. For a long time I have thought this is a spiritual stronghold in my life. But even knowing that in my head, pleading with God to change me, show me, help me learn whatever I’m supposed to learn — even in understanding it all intellectually it STILL HAS NOT CREATED A TRANSFORMATION WITHIN ME. I just don’t understand it and I hate my rebellion but I am willing to learn and am convinced God can do a good work in me to completion. At the very least I hope for acceptance of myself and to quit the self loathing.I cannot truthfully say I believe in myself as I have failed for so long at this, but I can say I am hopeful and I do strongly believe in God. It’s myself I have the problem with!Hope that wasn’t too much information!Laura
I’m currently leading a Beth Moore study called Believing God. It has really challenged me to REALLY believe and REALLY trust God as I never have before. All the things you wrote are where Satan gets to me 100% and have fully experienced lately. I personally have dieted my way up to about 100 lbs overweight (cannot even believe that even as I write it). I know do NOT have another diet left in me and have come to realize that it isn’t about food (I certainly know how to do that) — this is about something going on inside of me and I want to know why. For a long time I have thought this is a spiritual stronghold in my life. But even knowing that in my head, pleading with God to change me, show me, help me learn whatever I’m supposed to learn — even in understanding it all intellectually it STILL HAS NOT CREATED A TRANSFORMATION WITHIN ME. I just don’t understand it and I hate my rebellion but I am willing to learn and am convinced God can do a good work in me to completion. At the very least I hope for acceptance of myself and to quit the self loathing.I cannot truthfully say I believe in myself as I have failed for so long at this, but I can say I am hopeful and I do strongly believe in God. It’s myself I have the problem with!Hope that wasn’t too much information!Laura
Here is my response:http://godsrainbowpromises.blogspot.com/2009/05/in-response-to-what-do-you-want.html
Here is my response:http://godsrainbowpromises.blogspot.com/2009/05/in-response-to-what-do-you-want.html
I’ve always been overwhelmed by the question “what do you want?” because my first honest answer is “I have absolutely no idea.” But when I think about it, what I want is consistency, an approach/philosophy that I can continue to believe in even if I don’t do it perfectly. I have tended to try Thin Within and other approaches right up until I mess up and then quit, telling myself that I don’t really believe any more. Not a lot of faith, obviously. My current victory is realizing that surrender and being empty of self are good things for me that put me in a vulnerable but beautiful place if I am willing to get and stay there. My current challenge is being willing to put myself in that vulnerable and scary place where I have to trust in God. Is God really all forgiving and loving and not vindictive like I tend to think he is? If he loves me so much and forgives all, then why should I even try? I know that’s not great thinking, but it is what I think. I am motivated much less by love than I am by fear, and I want to change that. So I want consistency, and I want to be motivated by love instead of fear. I want to walk in faith. No biggie. We’ve got all summer, right?
I’ve always been overwhelmed by the question “what do you want?” because my first honest answer is “I have absolutely no idea.” But when I think about it, what I want is consistency, an approach/philosophy that I can continue to believe in even if I don’t do it perfectly. I have tended to try Thin Within and other approaches right up until I mess up and then quit, telling myself that I don’t really believe any more. Not a lot of faith, obviously. My current victory is realizing that surrender and being empty of self are good things for me that put me in a vulnerable but beautiful place if I am willing to get and stay there. My current challenge is being willing to put myself in that vulnerable and scary place where I have to trust in God. Is God really all forgiving and loving and not vindictive like I tend to think he is? If he loves me so much and forgives all, then why should I even try? I know that’s not great thinking, but it is what I think. I am motivated much less by love than I am by fear, and I want to change that. So I want consistency, and I want to be motivated by love instead of fear. I want to walk in faith. No biggie. We’ve got all summer, right?
Wow, you girls rock! I can totally relate to everything you shared! Autumnseer, I, too, have done the Believing God study and had some of the same issues. When I first began this blog I struggled with it as well…”Do I believe God is going to do a NEW new thing…again?” I really was skeptical. Then I remembered Philippians 1:6 that says that he has promised to carry this work he began in me to completion…and there I go…needing to believe God! I didn’t believe what he said, apparently. So he definitely had work to do in me about that. Taking him at his word is huge. But here again…it comes back to, do I believe what he says, or do I somehow put words in his mouth and then maybe believe? He doesn’t say anywhere that he will make me thin…God is about the heart. He DOES promise to work on my heart. And that is so vital! The heart is what this is all about. He wants my heart so much.Vita Nova…you are so right…we can’t hate ourselves into positive change. Fear seems to be a strong motivator, but our God doesn’t allow our foundation for change and spiritual formation to be based on a lie. Sure, we can fear and reverence God. That is a healthy fear…all of his amazing power held back in being poured out because he loves us so much. I have found that a huge thing that helps me be motivated is to practice gratitude…and that is something the book mentions. We will talk about that more. I don’t just mean a backward looking gratitude for saving me…but an in-the-moment “God you are so awesome! Thank you for …!” sort of gratitude. It has a way of putting my rebellious attitude in the dust…more on that in days ahead. The summer will be an adventure! I am so glad you girls have chosen to walk with me.Christina, thanks for posting the blog link. I read your entry. AWESOME. And yes…these questions should all be asked of God…what does HE want from me in all of them. I should have stated that more firmly…”prayerfully ask God” what the answers are that he has for me…Praying for you all.
Wow, you girls rock! I can totally relate to everything you shared! Autumnseer, I, too, have done the Believing God study and had some of the same issues. When I first began this blog I struggled with it as well…”Do I believe God is going to do a NEW new thing…again?” I really was skeptical. Then I remembered Philippians 1:6 that says that he has promised to carry this work he began in me to completion…and there I go…needing to believe God! I didn’t believe what he said, apparently. So he definitely had work to do in me about that. Taking him at his word is huge. But here again…it comes back to, do I believe what he says, or do I somehow put words in his mouth and then maybe believe? He doesn’t say anywhere that he will make me thin…God is about the heart. He DOES promise to work on my heart. And that is so vital! The heart is what this is all about. He wants my heart so much.Vita Nova…you are so right…we can’t hate ourselves into positive change. Fear seems to be a strong motivator, but our God doesn’t allow our foundation for change and spiritual formation to be based on a lie. Sure, we can fear and reverence God. That is a healthy fear…all of his amazing power held back in being poured out because he loves us so much. I have found that a huge thing that helps me be motivated is to practice gratitude…and that is something the book mentions. We will talk about that more. I don’t just mean a backward looking gratitude for saving me…but an in-the-moment “God you are so awesome! Thank you for …!” sort of gratitude. It has a way of putting my rebellious attitude in the dust…more on that in days ahead. The summer will be an adventure! I am so glad you girls have chosen to walk with me.Christina, thanks for posting the blog link. I read your entry. AWESOME. And yes…these questions should all be asked of God…what does HE want from me in all of them. I should have stated that more firmly…”prayerfully ask God” what the answers are that he has for me…Praying for you all.
I’ve never read the Thin Within book. I’ve read a lot ABOUT it and would like to see what God would liket o teach me through it.Food issues aside, God has been talking to me about removing other obstacles/idols/distractions fom Him. I guess what I want is to move into a place of total openness with the Lord. I think only then will I truly know my identity and be freed up from from the fears that hinder me. God had a long talk with me about it yesterday. I wrote about it on my blog this morning:http://sisepuedetestimony.blogspot.com/2009/05/stripped-bare.htmlThanks!
I’ve never read the Thin Within book. I’ve read a lot ABOUT it and would like to see what God would liket o teach me through it.Food issues aside, God has been talking to me about removing other obstacles/idols/distractions fom Him. I guess what I want is to move into a place of total openness with the Lord. I think only then will I truly know my identity and be freed up from from the fears that hinder me. God had a long talk with me about it yesterday. I wrote about it on my blog this morning:http://sisepuedetestimony.blogspot.com/2009/05/stripped-bare.htmlThanks!
One thing that completely resonated with me regarding what you just wrote in your reply to Vita Nova was that we can’t hate ourselves into positive change. I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach when I read that as I saw myself SO clearly in that statement. If I just get disgusted with myself enough I will change — and all it has done is lead me to further self loathing. Now I will say I don’t hate myself in all areas of my life, but this part of my life takes up WAY too much of who I am and colors the rest of it. Loved also that you said God doesn’t promise to make me thin, but he does promise to change my heart. May it be so Lord Jesus!
One thing that completely resonated with me regarding what you just wrote in your reply to Vita Nova was that we can’t hate ourselves into positive change. I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach when I read that as I saw myself SO clearly in that statement. If I just get disgusted with myself enough I will change — and all it has done is lead me to further self loathing. Now I will say I don’t hate myself in all areas of my life, but this part of my life takes up WAY too much of who I am and colors the rest of it. Loved also that you said God doesn’t promise to make me thin, but he does promise to change my heart. May it be so Lord Jesus!
Enjoyed reading all your comments. I feel God wants me to join this group. I’ve read and followed the TW principles, but it is getting harder and I don’t understand why. I had released 63 lbs. but have gained about 6 lbs. back. I can’t seem to get into the mind set of where I was before when it was so easy so to speak – I so enjoyed and didn’t have any trouble releasing those 60+ lbs. I totally know God was leading me and guiding me in how much and when to eat. I want to be at that place again. I’m gone a lot during the summer cooking at camps for kids and I’ll be leaving this Monday for a family vacation – should have internet available though. Thanks for starting this session!!
Enjoyed reading all your comments. I feel God wants me to join this group. I’ve read and followed the TW principles, but it is getting harder and I don’t understand why. I had released 63 lbs. but have gained about 6 lbs. back. I can’t seem to get into the mind set of where I was before when it was so easy so to speak – I so enjoyed and didn’t have any trouble releasing those 60+ lbs. I totally know God was leading me and guiding me in how much and when to eat. I want to be at that place again. I’m gone a lot during the summer cooking at camps for kids and I’ll be leaving this Monday for a family vacation – should have internet available though. Thanks for starting this session!!
I lost the bid on Ebay for the book, but ordered it off of Amazon. Hopefully everyone won’t get too far without me. I also decided to blog this journey to help keep me accountable. http://beautyforashesjourney.wordpress.com/I have such a good feeling about this. It is good to have hope again.
I lost the bid on Ebay for the book, but ordered it off of Amazon. Hopefully everyone won’t get too far without me. I also decided to blog this journey to help keep me accountable. http://beautyforashesjourney.wordpress.com/I have such a good feeling about this. It is good to have hope again.
Excited to see what God is going to do next- I started facilitating a group at church learning along with them- we have a good support group going which I desperately need – We just finished workbook # 1 and we voted to repeat it- I am going to follow along with this study of the book at the same time-God is working in my life -I just pray that i can submit totally to Him- and I am sure I will be astonished at what he ca do with a willing soul- I want to be able to give this struggle with food completely to Him- He alone can satisfy my every want and need-I will be Praying for those who are also Joining in this journey- Thanks Heidi
Excited to see what God is going to do next- I started facilitating a group at church learning along with them- we have a good support group going which I desperately need – We just finished workbook # 1 and we voted to repeat it- I am going to follow along with this study of the book at the same time-God is working in my life -I just pray that i can submit totally to Him- and I am sure I will be astonished at what he ca do with a willing soul- I want to be able to give this struggle with food completely to Him- He alone can satisfy my every want and need-I will be Praying for those who are also Joining in this journey- Thanks Heidi
Hello Heidi — Although I will not be able to go through the TW book with you in "real time," thank you for your ministry a year later! I searached around and found your blog and am very anxious to travel through the book with you. I don't plan on going very fast — but travel prayerfully, thoughtfully, and with much anticipation for what God will do in me. Thank you so much for you ministry — still helping women like me a whole year later! God bless!
Hello Heidi — Although I will not be able to go through the TW book with you in "real time," thank you for your ministry a year later! I searached around and found your blog and am very anxious to travel through the book with you. I don't plan on going very fast — but travel prayerfully, thoughtfully, and with much anticipation for what God will do in me. Thank you so much for you ministry — still helping women like me a whole year later! God bless!
Hi there! Welcome! I am currently praying about going through the Thin Within book again, so perhaps God will lead us to study together in real time after all! Thank you so much for letting me know that you are here! 🙂 Praying for you right now. 🙂
Hi there! Welcome! I am currently praying about going through the Thin Within book again, so perhaps God will lead us to study together in real time after all! Thank you so much for letting me know that you are here! 🙂 Praying for you right now. 🙂