Can God Really Help You?

Many years ago I went on a training course and one of the exercises that we were given was to write down a list of things that we thought were motivators in the work place. Most of us wrote down money, but we were then told that money is not actually a motivator. Lack of money is a de-motivator, therefore employees that are not paid well will become de-motivated, but you can’t actually motivate people by paying them lots of money.

I believe that we find something similar in the world of dieting. Many of the reasons we give for wanting to lose weight are not actually motivators and in some cases are even de-motivators.

Today I want to examine some of these ‘motivating factors’ and see if they really are motivators.

1. Health
Many people, including myself, need to lose weight for health reasons. Being overweight can increase blood pressure and also increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack. Often we are told by our doctors to lose weight.

Motivation = health (or is it fear and worry)

2. Physical activity
When you are overweight it is more difficult to be physically active. This ranges from poor performance in the sports team (letting the side down) to finding it difficult to run for a bus or play ball with the kids.

Motivation=better physical performance (or is it guilt and embarrassment)

3. Embarrassment
Many overweight people find themselves embarrassed in certain situations as a direct result of their weight. Examples include; chairs breaking, not fitting in aeroplane or amusement ride seats, difficulty in public toilets. People can also be embarrassed by comments made to them, for example being asked if they are pregnant. Overweight people are also often the objects of abuse or jokes.

Motivation=embarrassment

4. Clothes
It is quite common for the seasons to change and for an overweight person to find that their clothes from last year no longer fit. Sometimes we go shopping and find our normal size no longer fits. Often we look at clothes we really like and find that they really only look right on someone who is slim.

Motivation=to look good in clothes (or is it despair and condemnation)

5. Comfort
It can be uncomfortable being overweight, particularly in the heat. Tight clothes and shoes are not pleasant to wear. It is also uncomfortable to be out of breath.

Motivation=comfort (or is it discomfort)

6. Employment
Unfortunately the world judges people by their appearance and so do employers. There are many jobs where an interviewee will be judged on their appearance, including reception staff, air hostesses, dancers and actors.

Motivation=to be more successful in work (or is it that you feel judged)

7. Approval and acceptance
As I wrote above the world judges by appearance and this applies to friends, including romantic interest. The media teaches us that the slimmer and more attractive we are, the more successful we will be and the more friends we will have. Unfortunately people around us can buy into this. First impressions count and books are judged by their covers.

Motivation=to be successful and have better relationships (or is it unhappiness)

8. Special occasion
It is common for people who are overweight to try to lose weight to look good for a special occasion. This may be a wedding or other special evening out. People want to be slim so that they look nice and impress.

Motivation=admiration (or is it fear of judgement)

9. Holidays
This is probably the most common reason (apart from a wedding) that people try to lose weight. It is usually an annual event, but can be more frequent. Overweight people are afraid of being judged in their swimming costumes. As holidays usually give rise to photographs, there is a fear of negative comments when other people see these photographs.

Motivation=to look nice on holiday (or is it fear of judgement and negative comments)

10. Sexual attraction
We are constantly bombarded in the media by images of slim attractive people. We begin to believe that to find and keep a mate we must make ourselves as slim and attractive as possible. Many people think that their spouse no longer finds them attractive when they gain weight. Whether this is real or imagined, it is heart rending. When we are married the Bible teaches us that we become as one. Sex is much more than just a physical act, it is emotional and spiritual. When one spouse rejects another in this area, it is like turning a knife in their stomach. Many people want to lose weight to make their spouse find them attractive again. This is the worst of all reasons, it is born out of total emotional rejection and despair, guaranteed to make you want to eat to console yourself and numb the pain.

Motivation=to be more attractive (or is it despair and unhappiness)

As you can see from above, the things that we think motivate us, in fact de-motivate us. They cause unhappiness and despair. We feel judged, afraid and under condemnation. Most of the diet programs around give many of the above reasons for losing weight. They use them to try and encourage you. They don’t work. They might help for a short while, but in the end they will drag you down. They will make you feel worse than you did before, because now you have become aware of the problem and failed trying to solve it.

So, if all of the above don’t work, what does? What will genuinely motivate you?

The Bible tells us that God looks on the heart. He rewards us for doing things with the right motivation. For example, we should give money to please God and help the recipient, not to make ourselves feel good or impress others.

Jesus told us that everything he did, he did to bring glory to the Father. This is a very good reason for doing things.

       So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Whatever we do in life, we should do for the glory of God. This includes eating. We can aim to lose weight to bring glory to God. What’s more he will help us do it. If we concentrate on the wonder of God’s grace and mercy, if we understand the depth of his love for us and come into his presence through worship, we will want to do things for him. We will want to please him, to bring him honour and glory. If we lose weight and become free from the hold food has on us, we will bring glory to God. He will be delighted to help us. By bringing glory to God, we become the beneficiary. Isn’t that wonderful? That’s grace!

Remember from day 4, what we are going to say when asked how we have lost weight;
       
            “It’s not what I did, it’s what Jesus did”

Now that brings glory to God. Hallelujah, praise the Lord.

Today

Today I would like you to praise God. Put on some praise music and sing along. Read a couple of psalms that praise him, try 113, 117, 148, 150 (there are others).

Throughout the day look around you and find things to be thankful for. Thank God every time you see or think of something.

If you are sad or hurting, ask God to heal you. Lift up your cares to him and cast them upon him.

This is my prayer for you; Lord, I pray that each and every person will today find praise in their hearts for you. Let it rise up with joy. Let song come bursting forth from their lips, a song to praise you. Lord bless them wherever they are and in whatever they do. Give them awareness of your presence. In Jesus name, Amen.