Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Go BIG or NOT at All!


























"Go BIG or NOT at All" seems to be a way of thinking common in our world and one we often get hung up on. We all like to see "BIG" results when we work on a project. So, imagine the project remodel is your body.....your heart! At first, the prospect of a remodel may not seem overwhelming, but the more closets you clean out and the more mess and excess baggage you uncover reveals a huge task.One you are not sure you are ready or want to take on.

Next, you sign up for an accountability group at church. What in the world were you thinking? Each week you weigh in. The first week you lose 4.4 pounds. The next week you lose 1 pound. For real, all that hard work and you barely lose a pound the second week. Sadly, you realize the real work of heart reform isn't going to show up on the scales. The heaviest weight is not going to count in monetary form.

Yes, it's Me! Lifestyle change can be difficult. The greatest reform is going on in my heart. I realized I was using food to self medicate whether happy or sad. They say the first step is acknowledging it. For me, that was the easy step and the first brick of a heavy load I tossed. The real work is a daily battle. I am learning to fill my heart with God, His love, and His word rather than food or other unhealthy choices.

Now, back to the numbers, because I'm sure I'm not the only one who loses focus on the real goal of heart reform and gets caught up in the numbers. I'm very thankful for the five pounds and four ounces I lost. So thankful, I'm including the four ounces. After all, four ounces is a quarter of a pound of fat and in my world it's worth not forgetting.

What I've recognized is there are at least two ways of looking at these numbers:

1) Five point four pounds...that's all I lost in two weeks. This is too hard. I quit!

2) WOW, GOD helped me peel away five point four pounds of physical weight from my body and even more from my heart and soul. Some days this is very hard, but it feels good! With God's help, I can do it! And on the days when the work of heart reform and obedience is too hard I will lean heavily upon my Heavenly Father and trust Him with the journey.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue


6 comments:

Renee said...

Wonderful post...I love how you look at the positive here and apply it to all areas of our lives!

Unknown said...

You are amazing my precious sister ... your share is invigorating & poignant.

Hugs & love,
TTFN ~
Marydon

quietspirit said...

I admire you for your persistence. Keep at it. The experts tell us it's best to lose the weight slowly, something like a pound a week.

LisaShaw said...

So proud of you and so thankful to God for how He is speaking to your heart. You are precious!

Love you!

P.S. I'm not supposed to be online since I'm working on the ministry projects as you know from my FB but had to pop in since you shared with me earlier today in a private message. :)

Denise said...

Such a nice post. I love you, and I applaud your efforts. I am here cheering you on, so very proud of you.

Anonymous said...

You look GREAT Andrea! Your journey to 'heart health' is so encouraging. Thank you for sharing your struggles and your victory!!!
Blessings,
Deb