“Dieting and My Walk With Jesus”
[Jesus praying] “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. …”
Heather S. writes:
Dieting and My Walk With Jesus
I am 40-ish, and I have to say God has given me a wonderful life. Yes, I had to struggle to get here, but I kept my focus on Jesus.
As I’m getting older, I’m noticing that I have to really watch what I eat. I’m not overweight, but I have to really start being careful because I am gaining weight.
Not ever having to diet before, it’s a real struggle for me. It reminds me a lot of my walk with Jesus Christ.
Eating healthy is good for me because it keeps me healthy and fit. Just like Christianity. It keeps me on the straight and narrow.
It’s not easy. I sometimes think about that yummy cupcake in the window at the bakery. I know it’s not good for me, but still I think about it and want it.
I have voices around me saying, “You only live once, just eat it; besides, one cupcake isn’t going to kill you.” OK, if I give into this cupcake, I will just want another one tomorrow!
Temptation in Christianity is the same. Whenever we surround ourselves with unbiblical situations, we stumble. And it’s never a good thing.
That is where we hear those voices that say, “You only live once, just do it; besides, one time isn’t going to kill you.”
Then we become lost, then broken, then redeemed again and then hopefully restored again. I guess it makes total sense to me to not look into the bakery window at all. Instead, I’ll go to the fruit and vegetable stand where it’s safe.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on July 2nd, 2008 and filed under Your Stories, Struggles.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Dear Heather S.:
Though I don’t have the need for dieting, I will certainly pass on your interesting gospel to many friends who are on diet, that “Eating healthy is ….Just like Christianity. It keeps me on the straight and narrow.”
Being a typical Chinese, I eat my food with an elegant Chinese bowl (though I eat with a fork—to facilitate and save time). The portion of my delicious foods therein, therefore, is never over the limit.
I should be happy to send you a Chinese bowl if you would like to try, and chopsticks, too :-).
Nevertheless, your quotation of the Lord’s Prayer is my all important daily prayer.
The Psalmist prays: “Do not incline my heart to any evil thing” (Psalm 62:4). He knows that “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Jesus knows our every weakness: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Matthew 26:41). He was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1). But He prayed: “Father…Thy Will be done.” (Luke 26:42.).
Temptation means sometimes trial, affliction, anything that tests our obedience to God.
“And God is faithful; He will not allow you be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Truly, we are blessed that “…and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness…To Him Who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood, and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelations 1:5-6)
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you infinitely and inestimably;
GODPSEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.