But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:23 NIV)
What Would Jesus Eat?
Intimacy with God is the best way to shed pounds.
Many Christians are overweight because of spiritual, not physical cravings, says Dr. Kara E. Davis, a staff physician with Christian Community Health Center in Chicago.
Davis’ answers to the root causes of weight gain are included in her book Spiritual Secrets of Weight Loss (Charisma House). She believes the key to successfully losing weight is in cultivating the ninefold fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Love
"Miracle diets" tell us we can eat whatever we want, whenever we want and still lose weight. But the Bible says genuine love requires sacrifice. Those who wish to lose weight must be willing to sacrifice unhealthy foods and a sedentary lifestyle.
Joy
A high percentage of obese people suffer from depression. The only way to find true victory over morbid weight gain is to find emotional freedom. [Seek help if you need it.]
Peace
Anxiety is a major factor in chronic weight gain. “Stress eaters” use food like a drug to cope with the ups and downs of their lives. Also, many people gain weight because they constantly eat fast-foods on the go to save time.
Patience
Healthy weight loss does not happen overnight. It takes time to break the grip of food obsession—which is often at the root of the problem.
Kindness
Those who struggle with obesity must never fall into the trap of self-pity. You will never find true breakthrough as long as you are saying, “Why me?” Develop an outward focus.
Goodness
Intimacy with God is the best way to shed pounds.
Many Christians are overweight because of spiritual, not physical cravings, says Dr. Kara E. Davis, a staff physician with Christian Community Health Center in Chicago.
Davis’ answers to the root causes of weight gain are included in her book Spiritual Secrets of Weight Loss (Charisma House). She believes the key to successfully losing weight is in cultivating the ninefold fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Love
"Miracle diets" tell us we can eat whatever we want, whenever we want and still lose weight. But the Bible says genuine love requires sacrifice. Those who wish to lose weight must be willing to sacrifice unhealthy foods and a sedentary lifestyle.
Joy
A high percentage of obese people suffer from depression. The only way to find true victory over morbid weight gain is to find emotional freedom. [Seek help if you need it.]
Peace
Anxiety is a major factor in chronic weight gain. “Stress eaters” use food like a drug to cope with the ups and downs of their lives. Also, many people gain weight because they constantly eat fast-foods on the go to save time.
Patience
Healthy weight loss does not happen overnight. It takes time to break the grip of food obsession—which is often at the root of the problem.Kindness
Those who struggle with obesity must never fall into the trap of self-pity. You will never find true breakthrough as long as you are saying, “Why me?” Develop an outward focus.
Goodness
God has given us a wide variety of foods to enjoy. Davis believes it is unhealthy when self-righteous people label certain foods as "bad."
Faithfulness
Many people stop eating healthily because their attempts at dieting failed. They say: “Oh well, I doubt I will ever be able to lose weight and keep it off.” Davis insists that is takes faith to lose weight.
Gentleness
People go to extremes to lose weight, and some of the most popular fad diets and weight-loss strategies can be harmful to the body. Davis believes the best approach is a gentle one that involves healthy eating and exercise…
Self-control
Many people deceive themselves about how much food they actually eat. “Empty calories” are a major factor in weight gain—snack foods, chips, sodas. Victory involves admitting your dishonesty about what you eat.
Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss
This article has been quoted from "Weight Loss is Spiritual" published in the April 2007 issue of Charisma magazine. An excerpt from Dr. Kara Davis’ book, Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss is here. Davis’ article "Why is the Church So Fat?" is here.
Faithfulness
Many people stop eating healthily because their attempts at dieting failed. They say: “Oh well, I doubt I will ever be able to lose weight and keep it off.” Davis insists that is takes faith to lose weight.
Gentleness
People go to extremes to lose weight, and some of the most popular fad diets and weight-loss strategies can be harmful to the body. Davis believes the best approach is a gentle one that involves healthy eating and exercise…
Self-control
Many people deceive themselves about how much food they actually eat. “Empty calories” are a major factor in weight gain—snack foods, chips, sodas. Victory involves admitting your dishonesty about what you eat.
Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss
This article has been quoted from "Weight Loss is Spiritual" published in the April 2007 issue of Charisma magazine. An excerpt from Dr. Kara Davis’ book, Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss is here. Davis’ article "Why is the Church So Fat?" is here. Another resource: Thin Again: A Biblical Approach to Food, Eating and Weight Management by Arthur and Judy Halliday.
Helping Our Kids Stay Fit
In her article, "Weigh to Go!" published in Today’s Christian Woman, Dr. Davis offers four ways to help your child win the battle of the bulge.
Davis says, "As a physician, I've spent years treating overweight adults, conducting seminars, and teaching Bible studies on the connection between our physical and spiritual lives. So imagine my surprise when I discovered my ten-year-old daughter getting a little 'thick around the middle'"! Read more here.
Bonus: How to Look Thinner in Photos
Why does the camera add ten pounds? Blame it on lighting. Here are five red carpet secrets to looking thinner in photographs:
- Turn partially sideways, planting one foot in front of the other.
- Pull your head forward to eliminate a double chin.
- Hold arms slightly away from the body.
- Look away from the camera, then turn toward it, breaking into a smile before the shutter clicks.
- Wear an entire outfit in a single color.
(More is here...)
Have you discovered an approach to weight management that works well for you?
Photo Credits: markopoulos, RaeA (Flickr), amazon.com
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12 Comments:
Interesting about how to look thin for the camera!
I love the picture of the grapes! I've never seen grapes on a vine, someday I hope to be able to see that.
Dieting is such a awful thing!
I loke this post and how you are trying to help people lose weight the healthy way. I think I'd like to pick up this book and take a look.
Blessings,
Lori
This sounds like a book I need to check into.
Knowing I feel better when I eat best helps me & praying about everything I put into my mouth -- how can I ask God to bless what I know will dishonor Him?
My weight loss management system? Frustration from clothes that magically shrank since last season (lol). Actually, I seem to do best when drinking A LOT of water (curbs appetite) and when I exercise (no matter what form it takes). Somehow that miniature candy bar isn't as appealing when I know how far I have to walk to make it "no count".
I thought it was interesting that through the years I've intuitively picked up some of those photo tips (after seeing pics of double chins, fat arms...etc...).
I too believe that our being overweight is a matter of the heart. We just plain don't have any self-control. I know that is my problem. Thank you for this post. It spoke to my heart!
Great post!
I think alot of people "self medicate" with food. It's hard. Very difficult.
connie marie: Our neighbor actually grows green grapes on the vine... and we're WAY north of California up here in the Pacific Northwest. They're beautiful.
lori: You are NOT someone who needs to lose weight, girl! But maybe someone in your circle could use this book. :~)
leftcoastonlooker: I'm sure you try to be careful about your health and diet. Praying about everything we put into our mouth is a terrific strategy!
robin: Lol, "clothes that magically shrank." Drinking water is a great technique. (I reach for green tea or coffee, but water would be even better.) Yes, the photo tips make sense, don't they? A little bonus from e-Mom today!
julie: I'm convinced that the more in love with Jesus we are, the less in love with food we'll be. I'm glad this post spoke to your heart. :~)
ester: Yes, as with alcohol, a lot of people "self-medicate" with food. :~)
Interesting topic. My weight management method? Stress. I lost 15 pounds in my first year of marriage due to the overwhelming responsibilities of step-parenting. I've always been slim, although I don't really deliberately "maintain" my weight. I think it must be heredity or my metabolism or something . . . I've not had this struggle thus far in my life. However, that's not to say it won't happen someday. There are times that I have no self-control when it comes to food choices, which is not good. I realize that and I'm working on it. Even thin people can have a "weight" issue in the psychological sense.
kimmy: Thanks for being so honest. Stress (and grief) do contribute to weight loss, that's for sure. On the other hand, you're blessed to be slim without really trying. Even thin people can have a "weight" issue in the psychological sense. That's an interesting perspective most of us don't usually think about. :~)
It's even harder to look thin for the camera when you are only 4'9"!
Hey I read this about a week ago and used the 'looking thinner in photos' tips yesterday with a group of ladies! We were all smiles as we were sticking our necks out and angling our bodies and stepping forward and turning to the camera like it's a surprise.....lol Such fun...thank you!
I love the new moms article too!
lauri: Gosh, that could be a challenge! :~)
christie: YOU are a HOOT! Thanks for the chuckle... :~)))
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