Saturday, November 20, 2010

What is My Part in Being Healed? Spiritual Answers to My Weight Loss Problems


"Having compassion for a man who was blind since birth, the Savior"spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam...He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing' (John 9:6-7)."

I came across this story the other day, and it really struck a chord with me. In this particular account, it talks about a few key factors in being healed by the Savior.
1. We come to the Savior with our problem
2. The Savior, Jesus Christ, has compassion for us
3. He does His part
4. We do our part
5. We are healed

Many times in the scriptures the stories of Christ healing the sick or afflicted in other manner follows this pattern. I can think to problems in my own life that He has helped me in or even healed me of, and they often fit this pattern as well.

The biggest thing that I needing healing of and continue to, over the last couple of years, has been my problem of compulsive overeating. Just over 2 years ago, I weighed my all time high of 305 pounds. I could walk only short distances at work without feeling tired and/or winded. I always wanted to be sitting down. My size 3X uniforms were tight and ripping from time to time. I felt like my spiritual life was lacking to a certain degree.

Then one day, I had had enough. I realized that my problem with food was more than physical, it was spiritual. I turned to the Lord with all of my heart and prayed for His help, prayed for Him to heal me, and to let me know my part. Whatever He asked of me, I was willing to do. He directed me to do several things, which I did, and I began to lose weight. Even more, my desire to compulsively eat began to fade. I have not had a dessert, sugar filled or sugar free in over 2 years. I lost 120 pounds. He truly was healing me.

At the same time, I have been stuck with the last 20-30 pounds I want to lose, hanging around for the last several months. It has been very frustrating. I have often wondered, what am I doing wrong? I realize, or at least I am admitting to myself, that I have forgotten some important parts of this healing process from time to time.

1. I have not consistently been coming to the Savior with my problem, every day, every meal, every problem. If I skip this step, the rest of the process disappears.

2. Jesus has continued to have compassion on me, that has not changed; however, I at times have been unaccepting of his help or compassion, or have simply not asked for it.

3. He always does His part. No matter how many times I fall, He always picks me up, if I simply ask. This one part truly amazes me and humbles me. He has so many other people to worry about, yet, me, the sinner that I am, He will always help, if I will merely turn to Him.

4. I have not been asking what my part is, and when I have asked, I have been inconsistent in doing my part. This is the hardest part, if I will let it be. Yet I know from experience, that He will give me the strength and help to do anything He asks of me. I just need to ask.


So, what is my part in being healed at this point in my life? I think, for starters, I need to turn to Him fully again. He has real solutions for my problems, and especially this one that I am struggling with now. Then, I need to be willing to take whatever His answers are and do them, completely, and consistently, every day, every meal, every bite.

4 comments:

  1. Thanks for this post Liz. About 5 months ago I began to sense that the Lord was speaking to me about taking care of His temple - my body. Something that I have never done very well... I have been dieting since and am losing the weight very slowly - which is okay. The primary thing of importance isn't my weight loss - but that I remember I am changing my habits in obedience to God. That makes all the difference in the world.

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  2. Thank you so much for your response, Kris. That is such a true principle. I have to remind myself, that it is not about the weight, however, often my weight is a clue that I am not being as obedient as I should be. It is the symptom really, not the actual problem. Thanks!

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  3. Hi Liz,
    You are such an inspiration to everyone around you, I know that you are an inspiration to me! I have always hard a hard time losing weight, when I met you and you told me your story i thought she is such a strong woman. I thought i could never do that. Then i started praying about losing weight and getting more healthy so it took a few months until i got serious. But i know that my heavenly father has truly helped me start losing the weight. I thank you for your words of inspiration! Thank you so much for your words of inspiration. It was so hard at first when i was trying to lose weight and now it doesn't seem so hard, it truly is a miracle. I hope that I will be able to lose enough weight that im able to carry a baby one day.

    Thanks again,

    Amy Holt

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  4. Amy, thank you so much for this comment. I am so happy to hear of your successes. How true it is that as we fully turn to Heavenly Father He will make miracles happen in our life, and weak things strong. I am so glad to know you as well. You are such a talented and compassionate woman. You do so much and care so much for everyone around you. Thank you for your example. I know Heavenly Father has many more wonderful blessings in store for you and your family. Love and Hugs,

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