Black Health Matters: Today’s Test is Tomorrow’s Testimony

By Ann Wooten Taylor, Eating As AN Act of Worship Ministries

Each day of your health and fitness journey is a new day of testing. There is the test of your will, meaning do you have the resolve to stay the course regardless of the circumstances and opposition that rise against you? There is the test of your faith.  Do you truly believe that you can successfully lose the weight and be free of the eating disorder you are entangled with, or have you been filled with doubt from the start? The test of discipline. Can you bring your body under subjection, or will you give in to its cravings? Finally, there is the test of consistency. After you have achieved your health and fitness goals, will you continue to live a healthy lifestyle, or will you return to the sinful behavior that caused you to become overweight or suffer from an eating disorder?

The truth is most of us do not like to take tests.  We do everything in our power to avoid testing.  However, we fall to realize that each day’s journey through life is filled with tests, and God knows whether or not you passed. For example, did you lose your temper and curse at the person who cut you off in traffic, nearly causing an accident, or did you obey God’s commands to be slow to anger (James 1:19) and to forgive every trespass against you (Matthew 6:12-14). When your child interrupted you while you were obviously very busy, did you snap at him, or did you stop to patiently explain you will help him once you have completed your task (1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 5:22-23)?

It is the same in terms of health and fitness. Whether you are currently on a diet and exercise plan or complacently traveling in circles in the Wilderness of Obesity and Eating Disorders, you are taking a test. The days you take proper care of the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is your body, you are passing the test. The days you do not, you are failing it. So how can you finally and consistently pass the tests you are given on a daily basis, especially the ones pertaining to weight loss and eating disorders?

The difference between success and failure is the blood of Jesus Christ, your past successes through Him, and your faith. Revelation 12:11 teaches that we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimonies. Likewise, 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith.” In other words, the first thing you must do to successfully and permanently lose weight and overcome your eating disorder is wholeheartedly repent from the sins of gluttony, failing to eat and drink for God’s glory, and making idols of food and your stomach.

Second, obey God’s command to eat and drink for His glory and honor Him with your body by repairing the damage you have done to the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 10:31). Each day of success is a testimony of victory through Christ which builds upon itself, increasing your faith that you can achieve your health and fitness goals through Him. Consequently, you will be graced with the mind of Christ concerning food and beverages. Then you will also understand the Scripture that says your food is to do the will of God (John 4:34), which will enable you to stay the course.

You will start to believe you can succeed because you will understand that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).  Furthermore, you will be able to discipline your body and bring it under subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27) instead of giving in to your cravings. Lastly, you will live a healthy lifestyle for the remainder of your life because whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36), and your love for Christ will cause you to obey His command not to become entangled with the yoke of bondage again (Galatians 5:1). Over time, you will come to realize that today’s health and fitness test is tomorrow’s testimony of victory through Christ!

If you are ready to become equipped to pass every health and fitness test and finally obtain permanent and sustained victory over obesity and eating disorders by the Blood of the Lamb, the word of your testimony, and your faith, then purchase your copies of the Eating as an Act of Worship Workbook and the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher’s Edition online today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com.  In the books, you will learn the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God.  Read our weekly blog for motivation to stay healthy and fit through Christ.  Follow us daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for recipes, and diet and exercise tips.  Tune in to our syndicated radio show on the DFW Den Radio Station, the StudioW Buzz Radio Station, and Victory KVDW 100.9 FM, 95.3 FM, and 1530 AM in Little Rock, Arkansas for interviews and health and fitness trends.  Lastly, make your tax-deductible donation to Eating as an Act of Worship Ministries at www.eatingasanactofworshipministries.org!