21. O God, I call upon You with gratitude that You have forgiven me and have set me free from bondage of food. I am still tempted, that is expected, but now I recall You and Your mercy and I desire to follow You and be obedient. I do not regret this journey, for I know You are with me and lovingly guiding me. I thank You for this victory. I rejoice in the opportunity to glorify You today. As I sit down to eat I ask that You fellowship with me. I ask for awareness that I am not alone and that I cannot conceal my sin from You. I ask for normalcy today at mealtimes, and a spirit of rejoicing throughout the day, in Jesus’ name. Amen

Day 24 Scripture: Matthew 6:16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Application: Some very good dieting advice comes from this Scripture alone. Some people believe that announcing they are going on a diet will strengthen their commitment to do just that. Others, like myself, don’t like to draw attention to it if we might be setting ourselves up for failure or intentional or unintentional sabotage. Others will say, even if they know you are dieting, “You’re doing great so this little piece of dessert won’t hurt you.” Or, “At least try one helping because this is your favorite dish.” Jesus said when we fast, don’t look all stoic and announce your intentions. He said this for a reason. Just as fasting is a private matter between Your God who strengthens you and yourself, so should it be your commitment to Him first when you diet. If you are dieting because you are convicted about the way you have let your body go, God should be the first one that you talk this area over with. God doesn’t take your failures laying down. We are told that Jesus sits in the heavens on the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us. Who better to help but the One who pulled a 40 day fast complete with Satan tempting Him at His weakest moment. Your friend, spouse, or parent may just know you so well by now that they know you won’t go all the way; but God knows you will if you have committed this area to His will. Yes, eventually your body will reveal to others that you have lost weight, and the compliments are a source of joy, but you are not tooting your own horn, others are, and what a wonderful testimony you will have in revealing to others what God has done in your life. Just as Jesus is able to understand our weaknesses and infirmities, so it is a must that we find dieting buddies in the same fix we are in and allow them to support us and vice versa. They can sympathize on a bad day, and rejoice on a good day. Someone who has never had a weight problem before can not give you much empathy. Keep it between God and you for awhile, and a few friends that are doing the same, and then you shall have the reward that it is due to you in due season from God the Father which sees in secret, but rewards openly.

Prayer: Father God, teach me how to be humble that I might not announce my intentions every chance I get, but allow others to see Your wondrous works in me so that others may have the joy of discovering the better side of me, Christ dwelling within me. Give me the strength to fast from those foods which caused me to become unhealthy, and give me the desire to overcome the obstacles that I will surely face along this journey. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our High Priest who intercedes for us. Amen

My Commitment Today: