Roadblock Responses

Lysa TerKeurst's book, Made to Crave, is a volume I return to almost daily.  The essential truths contained in those pages are like fresh air to my stale soul.  Her command of Scripture reinforces even more that GOD in His heaven desires for His people to be good stewards of the earthly bodies He gave us.  That one truth stands out above all others when I look back over the years wasted on diets that never quite succeeded to the degree promised.  Could I have reached my current weight using another eating plan?  Yes.  And I have done it before, temporarily.  The difference is that I do not view my plan as a "diet" any longer.  When Scripture is foundational in any change in our lives, such as an eating plan, there is a higher, godlier purpose at work than what shows on the surface.

And since I am doing this for GOD this time, my thinking has been transformed.  For the past seven months when I've awakened early, anxious to hit the Wii Fit for the daily weigh-in, my focus has not been so that others on this earth would be pleased with my weight loss.  No, it has been for the glory and magnificence of God.  The encouraging words from the lips of friends and family have been a pleasant bonus.  Smaller size clothing is a cause for joy! But it is not the reason I do this.

People often ask what I eat and how I am "doing this".  I am honest by first saying that God is the Portion I am seeking now.  He is in charge and guides me to healthy food and drink choices.  He miraculously removed my longings for snack foods and replaced them with the fundamental yearning to please Him in all I do, including food choices.

During the past seven months, I have encountered few negative responses or comments to the new eating plan God laid on my heart. What I have learned is that not everyone would DO what I'm doing. But rarely does anyone make a strong argument against my food choices and lifestyle changes. Certainly there have been plenty of friends and acquaintances who say they would not or could not change their daily food intake so drastically.  Many desire to have the success I enjoy, but few seem willing to accept the challenge to allow God to truly transform their thinking and supernaturally replace their old tastes and cravings.  And it is not only the food, as I have emphatically stated time and time again.  It all begins and ends with a fervent desire to draw nearer to Jesus Christ and to allow Him to be my Portion in all things.

And so, you can imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago when I visited a physician that I see only twice a year.  He is a specialist and treats me for allergies and asthma.  I had just begun Made to Crave when I first met him in the fall, and at that time, he was gung-ho for my success.  In September he encouraged me to lose, saying that fewer pounds would mean less stress on my lungs.  It only made sense!  Losing weight has a positive impact on virtually every health problem!  But on this most recent visit, he quickly took on the role of authority and expert once he learned what I was doing to successfully lose weight to this degree so quickly.  He argued about things that were, in my opinion, none of his affair.  I can normally hold my own in any discussion - especially on a topic on which I am confident and educated.

The discussion took a lot of valuable office time, for which I was paying dearly.  I did not want to leave, however, with the cloud of disagreement hanging over me like a pall. While attempting to get my own point across regarding validity of my lifestyle choices and while maintaining my sense of humor, I became inwardly annoyed with the man across the desk.  He even cautioned me about "not losing too much, perhaps just 10 more pounds".  As I hurriedly drove back to work, I cried out to God for peace of mind and for the ability to forgive, as his words continued to ring in my ears.

For what earthly purpose would someone embark on such a discussion?  As I've replayed it and mulled it over these past few days, I believe it was simply a case of doctor versus patient. For some unknown reason, he felt the need to exercise his authority as a medical professional.  Doctors are often held in such high regard in our country that we seldom question their opinions or launch into heated debate on any topic related to health. Why? Because we have been convinced that all doctors know better than all patients. Period.  But I am not most patients, and I as I told the doctor that day, this is not a medical issue: it is an issue of the heart. 

Perhaps that comment alone stuck with him.  I hope so.  For I would like to think that he, also, has a heart for God and desires to please Him in his daily walk and work.

Psalm 86:11

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;

give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Hindsight is 20/20, and in this situation, I certainly saw things more clearly after the smoke had cleared.  And it was then that I wished for just a few more moments to say something like this: 
Dr., you do not know ME well enough to give advice on this topic.  You do not know MY personal struggles with weight that began well over 50 years ago. Dr., would it not be better for the sake of your integrity and for public relations to simply say..."Good job.  You are obviously doing something that agrees with you."  Would that have been so difficult?

Creator God, Great Physician, Father, Savior...

In this crazy world, help me to always remember that it is You I serve, not men or programs or factions.  It is You who loves me, You who created me, You who long for my heart to beat in sync with Your very own.  As I walk this road on planet Earth, grant me a bigger heart for those I encounter.  Grant me continued joy.  Grant me keener ears.  Grant me broader shoulders to bear up under Life's stresses.  In You I live and move and have my purpose.  Through Christ our Lord, Amen.