F.A.T.T.

Lately weight has been on my mind and (excuse my pun) it has weighed in heavily. I think God has been calling to my attention the ways I have had judgement on my heart. I never thought of myself as a judgemental person. But lately God has shown me some areas that I'm judging. One of which has been in body image.

I used to think that people that were overweight just didn't take good care of themselves. Whether that was because of overeating or not making working out a priority. I don't think it ever crossed my mind that perhaps they couldn't work out or even go for a walk. I know my weight gain isn't just cause of my illness, but I know it has a huge part of it. I dear friend of mine told me about when she was studying Romans. In Romans 14:13 (Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.) her leaders talked about how whatever it was that they judged about others would end up being a situation they had to deal with themselves. Interesting... cause that's where I am right now. Surely there are others out there who, like myself, are struggling with 10lbs. Not because they are lazy or undisciplined but because life got in the way of their plans. My plan was not to have restrictions on exercise. I feel bummed that I just got back to being able to do all the exercising I want and I have to go back to having restrictions after this surgery on Thursday. But to that I say, "Ehh..." And realize I am grateful to learn this lesson of judgement. If I had to go through all this just so that I could learn I was being judgemental to others, and knock it off, it is worth it.

Which leads me to another weight issue. I want to be F.A.T.T. Not fat as in overweight or even phat meaning I'm super cool, but F.A.T.T. Faithful And Teachable of Truth. (I didn't make that up so I'm not phat.) I want always to be open to hearing God's word and applying it to my life. I want  to be faithful that God is good and all things work to His glory. I want to be teachable of His truth, even if it causes pain and suffering. I am freer when I can life in the truth of His words than when I am trying to carry the load on my own.

I am a picture person. I love when the Bible gives me an image I can hold onto. Today I read in Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." I also read in Isaiah 41:10 "...I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." So if God is holding our right hand and He is upholding us with His right hand it could look two ways. Either we are face to face with our hands stretched in front of us, me holding His right with my left and He holding my right with His left. Or He is holding me from behind in a big hug. His right in my right. Either way I am surrounded by God. How can I be harmed with Him around me? How can I go off the right path with Him leading me face to face? How can I be sad when I am embraced? How can I be judgemental, unfaithful and unteachable when He is holding my hands and looking at me? With these pictures in mind, I am encouraged to say, "Ehh..." to the details of life that keep me from looking at Him and allow God to lead me with His hands.