the discipline of thin

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)                                                                                                       For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)                                                                                             But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Are some people just blessed with good genetics? Maybe, but I have learned that most of those "naturally thin" gals have mastered the discipline of thin. They eat healthy most of the time and make exercise a routine. They split a meal with a friend when they go out to eat. They usually avoid sweets. When they have sweets they have one small portion and don't think "this is so good- I want more". They don't eat lots of grains. They just don't seem to think about food so much. Even if they don;t workout at a gym, they walk distances regularly & lead active lifestyles. It is so much a part of who they are it doesn't seem hard. They may even look at someone who struggles with weight and think "I must be blessed with skinny genes", because it doesn't seem tough to them.

So what about those of us who need to work on the discipline of thin? Where do we even begin? It begins on our knees asking the Lord to help us. Here is a prayer from Lysa Terkeurst, author of Made to Crave:

Dear Lord,

Help me to see how the temporary sting of sacrifice will be worth the peace I will find in You.

Please help me to have the courage to say no to things that distract me

 mentally, spiritually, and physically.

I long to be empowered with Your strength and Your peace today.

 I admit I need You.

 In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God is God. He made each of us. He knows everything about us. He knows our struggles. We have those struggles to teach us our need to depend on Him. They are meant draw us close to Him. Our purpose is to bring glory to Him and make Him famous. Our struggle with the discipline of thin can be used for good and for God's glory. First we must surrender it to him and then continually ask for his help.

I pray that we may be empowered with strength and peace today and continue to encourage one another in this journey.

Have you ever thought of eating, exercise, health in this way? Have you read Lysa's book Made to Crave? What are your thoughts and prayer requests today?