::It's Just A Number::

Is being skinny really all you want?

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Nehemiah 8:10

I read an amazing article today and it left a lasting impression on me. The idea behind it was that while most of us would say that we want to be skinny, that isn't all we really want. What we want is what we think goes along with being skinny. Skinny by itself is just skinny. What we want is the popularity, the respect, the aw... That won't come from just being skinny. In fact, while most people see the two things going hand in hand, they aren't. Many skinny people who we think have it all, don't. They are unhappy, unloved, and have no true friends. Meanwhile, there are others, those non-toothpick people, who are truly happy. You see, true happiness doesn't come from being skinny. It comes from God. Being skinny is just being skinny. It is a state that our physical bodies are in, that usually fluctuates and changes as life goes by. Our happiness shouldn't depend on this; our happiness should only depend on God. We are loved by God, He sent His Son to die on the cross for us, our sins are forgiven, and we are heaven bound! As the above verse says: the joy of the Lord is our strength. Let's God strengthen us today. Let's be joyful with Him, because He loves us just the way we are!

Reflection:

Can you recognize that the size of pants you wear is just a number? Do you depend on that number (or what you think goes with it) to make you happy?

Application Step:

Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks... Don't diet today. Whatever you usually do whether you follow a diet, don't eat, eat and then throw it up, whatever it is, don't do it! Let the joy of the Lord be your strength!

Prayer:

Father God, it's hard to admit that the size of pant's I wear is just a number. For so long I have seen it as so much more. Please help me to change, even if it's just for a day, help me to depend on you. Help me to depend on you for my happiness for today, and then we can go from there. I love you so much, Father God! In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.