Lord, I Believe

“‘…But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘“If You can”? Everything is possible to the one who believes.’
Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do believe! Help my unbelief.’”

Mark 9:22b-24

“This command that I give you today is certainly not too difficult or beyond your reach.”

Deuteronomy 30:11

I was asked in one of my Bible studies to write what I believed is God’s vision for my life. Here’s my vision letter to God:

Dear Lord,

I believe Your vision for me is to gain in health and lose in weight…weight on my body, my heart, and my mind.

You are dependable and reliable, a constant companion in my life. You listen to my praise, my pain, and my everyday grumblings. You long for a close relationship with me and are not offended when I speak with You, asking why You have allowed things to go a certain way.

But because You love me, You long for me to be the best version of myself. You long for me to use my God-given skills to help others and myself. You want me to use all the things You have already given me–family, friends, support, Bible study, knowledge of healthy living, etc.–to better my life and the lives of those around me, to affect Your kingdom in a positive way.

You want me to go back to basics–to the fundamentals–and form routines, which will become disciplines, that will keep me within Your safe boundaries and will reduce my decisions, as I will know what I can do and not do, what is good and kind and will help me and others to prosper.

You ask me to be patient and do the small things daily that will add up to big changes. You ask me to do something every day that will move me in a positive direction.

You ask me to feel my emotions without always eating or acting them out. You tell me to comfort and guide others without taking on their full emotional baggage. You ask me to give it to You because You created it and can handle it all.

You are telling me not to weigh my success by a number on the scale or a list of completed projects, but by the close relationship I have with You and those You have surrounded me with.

Lord, I have eternity to spend with You and one day I will leave this earth and see You face to face. My spiritual health is most important and ultimately the only thing that lasts, but being healthy in all areas will give me the strength, energy, wisdom, and endurance to run my race to the end. I know this is not a straight line.  There will be hills, mountains, pits, detours, and stops along the way. But I know Your desire is for me to finish my race strong and to help others along the way.

This is a super busy season in my life. So many things are out of my control and derail me for different lengths of time. But many are paths that You have asked me to take to support those You have given me. I have many responsibilities, but I know Your hand is over all and what You ask is not too difficult. If I consult You and take the time and breaks necessary to get my part of the job done, then go back to those routines, however simple and small, I will move toward the health that You desire for me.

Lord, I believe in You. Please help me believe that I can follow through.

In Christ’s name,
Amen 

We may not see the clear path He has planned for us, but we can look to the Bible for guidance. We can sit quietly and reflect on where He has taken us so far and the desires that He has placed in our hearts. Some of the actions will be difficult. God asks us to lean on Him. He will be there to encourage and support us throughout our journey.

Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your constant presence. Thank You for Your loving interest in all aspects of my life and Your desire to guide me every day in every way.
In Christ’s name, Amen.

Journal:
Take some time to write what you believe is God’s vision for your life.