“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NLT)
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 ESV)
“Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6 NKJV)
So here I am, a son of God with a high calling on my life, under the control of snack cakes, pizza, and pop. I have to face the fact that I have allowed my belly to become my god. I have harmed my health, and impeded the call on my life, by turning to the wrong “comforter.”
James told us that as believers if we will humbly confess our faults to each other that we will be healed (delivered and set free). So that is what I am doing today. I have given in to the addictive tendencies within my soul (mind) and body. I have agreed with the enemy and accepted the false identity that he has placed before me.
When Melody changed addresses 18 months ago, and moved into the mansion that Jesus built for her, I weighed 240 pounds (down from my starting point of 390). I was well on my way to establishing a “new lifestyle” based on healthy habits. As I have shared before, the Lord miraculously delivered me from all grief and sorrow within 48 hours of Melody’s departure. However, without Melody here with me, I did experience loneliness and boredom. Bit by bit I turned to food for “comfort” and in a very short time was back up to 300 pounds. When I realized what was happening I made the decision to turn things back around and lost 72 pounds in 90 days putting me at 228.
Even though I was able to lose those 72 pounds, by giving in to the addictive tendencies within my soul (mind) and body, I weakened my ability to stay consistent. I unwittingly placed myself in agreement with the enemy and accepted the false identity that he placed before me. I no longer saw myself as an overcomer, or more than a conqueror. Today, about a year later, I am back up to 295 pounds. This is not how I desire to live! I am not what I see in the mirror. The “real” me that lives in this double wide body is fit and trim.
I need to remind myself once again that the Holy Spirit is my Comforter. I do not need “comfort food” to make me feel “good.” The truth is that eating the way that I have been eating brings nothing but pain and sorrow. It doesn’t deliver what the enemy has told me it would. I know what to do (I have done it many times), and by God’s grace, and self discipline, I am going to do it. This time not just for a season, but for life!
It is my desire to live from this day forward in such a way that I can echo the Apostle Paul when he said to follow him as he followed Christ. I long to be the kind of leader whose example can help set others free. That day is on the horizon. For today, it is my hope that those observing my life can learn from my mistakes.
Experience is not the best teacher, the Holy Spirit is. However, the best way to learn from experience (especially negative experience) is to learn from the experience of others. If you will learn from my experience then you will be able to avoid the hurt that I have put myself through. Please don’t turn to anyone, or anything, other than the Holy Spirit for comfort. You will be let down every time. Turning to “things” will only result in developing bad habits, and feeding addictions.
If there is anything hindering you from living life to the fullest it is time to set it aside. If there is anything that is ruling your life, and dictating your actions, it is time to give it to God. if there is anything that is keeping you from fulfilling the destiny that you are created for, it is time to let it go. If there is anything that has you bound in it’s chains of addiction, it is time to break free. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Give your life fully to Him and you will know the Truth and the Truth that you know will set you free!