A Dieter’s Logic
Is it just me, or have you noticed, too, that every time one turns around, there’s a new diet on the market? “Change your metabolism with this new menu and you will loose 25 pounds in three weeks!” “Try this fat-free diet and have the body you have always wanted by Memorial Day!” “I’ve lost thirty pounds and have kept it off. You will lose the weight! I guarantee it!” There are many promises out there and an endless list of new diets to try . . . each claiming to be backed up by science, clinical trials, and logic!
Some of my favorite dieter’s logic, though, comes from friends and family. One family member reasons that she will start her diet “tomorrow.” The beauty of her logic is that when “tomorrow” gets here, it is then “today.” If you follow her logic, you will never have to begin a diet. A friend reasons that breaking a cookie in half reduces the calories by 50% . . . even if he eats both halves of the cookie. My personal favorite comes from a family member who recently ordered a “Mushroom Burger.” The reasoning? “If I eat the mushrooms, then I won’t have “mush room” (much room) for the rest of my food.” (She then proceeded to eat the whole burger . . . along with the fries.)
The logic, and the humor, abound but we all know that a proper balance between caloric intake and caloric output is the key. To maintain a healthy weight, we must balance our daily diet of proper food with adequate exercise!
This same balance is true of our spiritual health, too. To be spiritually healthy, we need a balance; a diet of spiritual food combined with healthy spiritual exercise.
It begins with proper spiritual food. There is plenty of unhealthy junk food for the taking . . . social media, books, magazines, movies, television, and people around us. But God provides a healthy diet: His Word. I believe it is important for a person to “eat” generously of God’s Word by reading Scripture, devoting time with God in Bible study and prayer, joining a Bible study or small group, and spending ample time in worship.
Next, we must balance our diet with a solid exercise plan. Spend time serving God through serving others. “Find a form of exercise you enjoy,” we often hear from diet experts. Spiritually speaking, God has blessed each of us with a set of “Spiritual Gifts.” Through these gifts, we are equipped to serve Him in various ways. Discover your Spiritual Gift mix (our staff at Peace can help with this!) and find a way to use those gifts in your home, in His church, at your workplace, and in the community. Spiritual exercise along with the “food” intake will produce the best results! The weight of worry, doubt, and fear will melt away!
So, dig in! Taste what God has to offer! Join our exercise program! (We have plenty of opportunities for both here at Peace!!)
Oh, and don’t forget to get plenty of spiritual rest!! Our Lord offers plenty of peace, comfort, and hope!
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:103-105
In Him
Pastor Tim Lindeman
