Image Source: Creation Swap
We can keep on looking for a magic bullet.
We can keep reading the latest greatest “non-diet,” “intuitive eating” material on the web, but there comes a point in time when we have to live up to the light we have been given.
Has that time come for you?
I get emails from people all the time…many are involved in the Thin Within Facebook Accountability Group, the regular Thin Within Facebook page, have frequented the Thin Within forums on an off for years, done all the workbooks, read Thin Within and Thin Again. Yet they still struggle with obedience. They still are frustrated by themselves. Maybe struggle implies more challenge then there has been. Some of us, don’t even put up a fight against the gluttony that sucks us in. We just roll over and give in to the desire.
What’s it gonna take to for us to stop it? To END THE REBELLION?
I guess another question would be “What’s REALLY holding you (me) back?”
With the way I have been this past week (and longer), I know what is in this Sound Cloud file holds the antidote for what I suffer from. I would wager might for you, too:
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/103612488″ iframe=”true” /]For Your Consideration:
1. Have you read a lot of Thin Within material and done a lot of the workbooks or bible studies? Have you tried the online resources (of course you have if you are here at this website! LOL!). Do you really–in your heart of hearts–feel like you lack knowledge? Is there really anything more that more inspiration could offer you? Or is it time to live according to the light you already have?
2. Can you do what the audio suggests at the end…open to Psalm 30 or Isaiah 30 and pull out attributes of God or answers to this question: “What is God like and/or what has He done for people?” Can you praise him out loud for those attributes? Can you find three gifts that God has blessed you with in this moment, yes…even if your husband has just announced he is leaving, even if your daughter has admitted she is pregnant, even if you just got the news that you have cancer, even if your job is flushed because of your company’s “downsizing.” No matter what…can you find the gifts that God has offered you in this day, write them down and, out loud, thank him for them?
3. Are you willing to give THIS a try? Not another new bible study. Not another new accountability group, but the daily practice of praise and gratitude…and just see if it might not make a difference in the rebellion that has been living in your heart?
4. Do an experiment this weekend. Practice praise and gratitude this weekend. Build your God List. Use it for a Praise Fest. Keep a running list of the gifts God has given you. Speak these truths about God’s character and goodness OUT LOUD. See if, when you do this, you still have the same challenges in your eating…can you praise God at the same time you eat more food than he calls you to eat?
Let us know how it goes! Share your thoughts and insights here!
Wow, oh, wow Heidi! This is wonderful! I have been thinking that I overcomplicate this all and need to simplify it. This summer has been challenging bc I have not had as much time for quiet time with the Lord and the Bible with my children home from school. I should say that I have not made as much time – I do make time for reading the blog, working on the renewing of my mind, keeping in touch with my accountability partner, etc and that all has been great. But I know that I am responsible for the feeling that I more distant from God – I haven’t been spending time with Him and His word.
I love the simplicity of praise and gratitude. I have been keeping a gratitude list on my evernote and really like doing that. And I read the scripture from this morning and added to my list.
I want to also share an idea that I read in a book that I am studying in my small group. It’s actually not about food/body but applies –
when there is a problem in your life, GLANCE at the problem and GAZE at God.
I took this “gaze” to mean so many different things – we can gaze at Him and thank him for our many blessings. We can thank Him for what He does for His faithful. We can gaze and be humbled by his character and attributes (as Heidi says). That He is so awesome and powerful that He is THE creator, the King, the ruler but He also lays His hand upon us, hemming us in behind and before. Gaze at Him as our Abba, Daddy. See that He is our stronghold, our refuge, our strength. See that He gives us armor – that with the use of His Word, we can make the enemy flee. We can gaze and think about Jesus and His suffering. Anyway, I won’t go on and on, but I did want to share the quote. It will be added to my Truth Cards with some of the scripture that I read today.
I’ll be doing the “experiment” this weekend!
Hi, Carrie. This morning I ended up in Revelation and I just had this moment of “BFO” (Blinding Flash of the Obvious)…reading about how awesome God is and all that is in there…wow…Jesus the conquering hero…and what on EARTH am I doing ever thinking that grace is about having the freedom to do what I want? He is to be worshiped! He is to be praised! Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord…I want to do that voluntarily NOW whether I eat or drink or whatever I do, I want to do it to his glory and praise! I love the reference to GLANCING at the problem vs. GAZING at God. Thanks so much for sharing that. I will be eager to hear how your experiment goes!
Wow! This hits home!
God is Doing a New Thing wrote: > Heidi Bylsma posted: ” We can keep on looking for a magic bullet. We > can keep reading the latest greatest “non-diet,” “intuitive eating” > material on the web, but there comes a point in time when we have to > live up to the light we have been given. Has that time come fo” >
So glad, Norma. Sometimes when things hit home, it isn’t comfortable, but I trust it is going to grow us!
I was just reading Chuck Swindoll’s daily e-mail devotion and he was discussing Psalm 116. His focus was on the fact that making vows to God is very serious. He talked about the fact that it is better for us to not make a vow unless we are going to follow through. Vows are extremely serious to God. I was thinking about that in conjunction to my eating boundaries. Then I read this e-mail and I think God is telling me something here :). How many times have I vowed to God to stick to His boudaries for me to obey and to improve the health of His temple, my body. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve made vows or commitments to Him many times, even in writing, and then let them go at the first sign my flesh is uncomfortable with the boundaries.
Shelly, I am so thankful that he is gracious and, of course, we know that this same grace that brings salvation teaches us to say no to ungodliness (Titus 2). I am so glad that he doesn’t condemn me, but that he is transforming me (and you) from glory to glory. He can take the vows that we have made…all with good intentions…and turn the whole thing around. We have NEVER been in this precise place before. NEVER with this amount of insight. Never with the experiences we bring to our journey right now. This is a new moment…we can do this knowing he is at work doing a new thing. 🙂
Heidi,
You will never know how much this hits home today. I too, have had a son at home all summer and am looking forward to a Daniel Fast coming up on August 7th, which is Elul 1 on the Hebrew calendar. We have learned that this is the exact time of year that Jesus went into the desert and fasted, was tried and came out victorious. It is 40 days of prayer, fasting and repentance which leads up to Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) We have studied the Jewish Feast Days to discover that they are prophetic and some incredible stuff is coming up next year with the Blood Moons falling on these Feast Days. I said all that to say this, I have been searching, putting things off, making excuses all the while having the answers right at hand. A friend of mine once told me that if I keep searching, then I will keep putting off actually doing it. Basically just talking about it and not doing it. I stand amazed at God and how He uses you time after time to bring home the truth. I look at your before and after pic and know this is the path we all need to take. So many things try and knock us off the path, but I praise Him that He has appointed you, a modern day Esther to lead His daughters (and sons) on the right path to truth, deliverance, and restoration of the years the locusts have eaten. I love your passion, wisdom and discernment as you spend time pouring yourself into our lives through video, audio and written things on your blog that scream with His love, compassion, and encouragement that we can actually “do this thing” once and for all. I can hear the sounds of many marbles hitting that glass vase as you quickly do the work He has appointed you because the time is surely at hand and the door of the ark is closing. Bless you my sister, as I enter the fast coming up this Wednesday (and anyone feel free to join me) I pray He pours out His Spirit on you, your family, and the people on this blog in a way that brings 100% freedom in all our issues. May we all shine brighter than the sun as we see the Day approaching.
signed speechless in Fayetteville today
Hi, Debbie. Wow…powerful stuff in your comment. Your friend seems so wise. I can put things off and insist that I am doing it in the name of “becoming informed,” but the truth is I am procrastinating…and procrastination is really “delayed obedience,” which is no obedience at all. Yikes! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, too. I covet prayers of any who will offer them for me and for my family members. We need them more than ever.
Hello Heidi,
All I am going to say here is AMEN!
WOOT! 🙂
Isaiah 30:15
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
I am so grateful for having the time to listen and to read your post today, Heidi! I have had so much going on that I kind of let my study slide, & of course I see myself falling right back into my old habits–which I will now call my old “rebellion”. Today was like throwing cold water in my face. And then I was reading in my Thin Within workbook on week 3 and the verse that I had memorized but failed to hide in my heart was pointed out to me again. “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. ……My body is NOT my own!! It was bought and paid for with the precious blood of my savior, Jesus Christ! Yet, I have been in such rebellion that I think I can set the rules on how it’s cared for. And where has the ” me, my, & mine” mentality gotten me? In a state of depression, anxiety, unhappiness, and always having a critical attitude towards the body God gave me, not to mention the weight gain with all of the health risks involved. So, I will practice what you said to do this weekend. Writing down what I am thankful for and then saying it aloud to the Lord. Work on my God list and praise Him while I’m eating. I am also going to make myself stay away from the TV when I’m eating.—-That will be a hard one, but just for today I can do it with His help. I read Psalm 30 and wrote down some things to praise Him for—That He keeps me alive, He heals me, He lifts me up, He turns my mourning into dancing, He clothes me with gladness, His anger towards me is but for a moment because he favors life, His joy comes in the morning, so my weeping will not last forever. These are just a few of the reasons to praise Him and it’s only from one Psalm! Thank you for your insights into God’s word and for sharing them with us!
Wow, Mary Anne. Great stuff shared there. Thank you so much for sharing how God is at work. There is definitely a tendency for many of us to believe the subtle (but OH so powerful lie) that our bodies are ours to do with as we please. This is often at the heart of our struggle. If we really believed that they were God’s, I do think we would handle them completely differently! I know I would. I love the stuff you shared from Psalm 30! Thank you!
Wow. Thank you Heidi. I discovered your website a few weeks ago when I was looking for a site that was in tune with Thin Within. I haven’t read all of your posts, but in complete discouragement I turned to your site tonight. I so needed to hear the recording you posted. I have been so focused on myself and my stresses. And I have eaten and eaten and eaten. I’m Gomer and Jesus, my Hosea. I have rejected His love and run after other lovers, particularly food.
But God is faithful. And I’m forgiven. And I’m so thankful. I so needed to hear what you had to say! It was if God was (lovingly, mind you) “slapping me upside the head.” The Holy Spirit has convicted and I’m willing to step out in obedience. I have released a considerable amount of weight in the past with a similar program, WDW, but once I put my focus back on me, the weight came back. I’m longing to be the woman who gave her heart completely to God during that time…so long ago. I’m willing to take this step of obedience. And considering all that I ate for dinner tonight, I probably won’t be hungry until noon tomorrow! 🙂
Thank you again. I do believe that God is using you to change hearts and lives.
Hi, Carol. So glad you have joined us. YES! GOD is faithful. Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement. My parched heart soaks it up like life-giving water. Jesus has used you tonight! THANK YOU!
I just added to my God list using psalms 23-27. Love them! Working my way to #150 :). He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble His way. He is strong and mighty and the King of glory, and He is the stronghold of my life. I am so thankful that I get to know Him.
I also added to my gratitude list. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
Awesome, Carrie!
This is the Truth! Very convicting and inspiring…God has been speaking some of these things into my life the past month…you have outlined it so well… we just need to do what God tells us to do in His Word and stop looking somewhere or to someone…nothing is new under the sun..sooooo true! love you sister!!!!! Wish you were living next door…would love to talk in person to you and encourage and fellowship daily…we need to keep going ..thank you!!