bèlla

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Yesterday, I had a discussion with @Ronit and she made a comment that sparked the idea for this thread. I'll share what she said below and invite you to consider how God has helped you overcome your stumbling blocks.

You know Bella. 10 years ago what you said would have really offended me. But the Lord's been working on me and now I am able to see the beauty and the intellect in your comment.

This thread is meant to provide encouragement and a testimony to your growth and improvement with God's assistance. It isn't limited to spiritual matters. Share according to your level of comfort.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
 

GospelS

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God delivered me from some fires. He also made me fireproof when He took me through the fires and refined me by it. I've learned to embrace the fire and it is empowering.
 
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bèlla

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God gave my life new meaning. He took the drive, hunger and surrender and directed them to something greater. He understood my desire to serve and give of myself at a depth few understood. I needed something to run towards. Someone who'd push and inspire me to go beyond my limitations. I sought it in many places. But He satisfies the yearning beyond compare.

~Bella
 
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Ronit

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God delivered me from some fires. He also made me fireproof when He took me through other fires and refined me by it. I've learned to embrace the fire and it is empowering.
Praise God Sister!
 
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bèlla

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Two recent threads on submission have given me pause. My position is well articulated. But I’ve begun to see biblical mandates from different perspectives. I acknowledged the simplicity of adhering to principles when conditions and experiences work in your favor.

Then I imagined the same with complications and previous hurts which may elicit hesitance or a stumbling block. Its easy to argue correctness in these situations. But harder to view them as opportunities for grace and prayer.

We each have areas of strength and weakness which impact our spiritual walk. Coming alongside someone who struggles or may have a different opinion is enriching. You minister to one another in the process.

I chose this example because oftentimes we imagine marriage in a perfect state. That’s understandable. We want a happy ending. But applying biblical precepts in imperfect situations with imperfect people is harder than it looks.

In a strange way these differences are lessons in disguise. If we’re willing to hear a viewpoint outside our own we’ll be more equipped to do the same with our companion. Maybe we’ll find greater patience and empathy when they fail or let us down. Because they didn’t meet our expectations.

~Bella
 
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Ronit

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I've been waiting to be married Seriously for about 10 years. I don't know if it's going to be possible because of the Covid- plague. But In my heart I believe the message the Lord is giving me is to wait.
I'll wait as he molds and fashions me to be the woman he wants me to be.
 
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shineyourlight

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Yesterday, I had a discussion with @Ronit and she made a comment that sparked the idea for this thread. I'll share what she said below and invite you to consider how God has helped you overcome your stumbling blocks.

You know Bella. 10 years ago what you said would have really offended me. But the Lord's been working on me and now I am able to see the beauty and the intellect in your comment.

This thread is meant to provide encouragement and a testimony to your growth and improvement with God's assistance. It isn't limited to spiritual matters. Share according to your level of comfort.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
I love this.

I think one thing God has REALLY taught me was to remove things that would cause me to stumble.

Example, I used to use food as a comfort and a coping skill. A super unhealthy one and led me down a path of being morbidly obese and just completely unhealthy.

God was specific with me: "Remove the things which is causing you to stumble." He really helped me in removing those obstacles in my life. I no longer keep snacks in my place unless they are healthy. I've obviously had snacks in my apartment before, but I make sure they aren't ones that I will binge eat because I'm feeling sad, or stressed, or anything. I want to go to God with those feelings instead of food.

I've lost over 100 pounds since God really helped me in this. I will always be an emotional eater. It is something that I struggle with and I want God to be the one to fill that void and not food.

Another thing is I take God shopping grocery shopping with me. It sounds ridiculous but I always pray to Him, "God, let's go shopping. When I'm about to pick something that's not going to be good for my health, be stronger than it." I hear God constantly with me whenever I go grocery shopping. It's pretty cool.
 
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Ronit

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I love this.

I think one thing God has REALLY taught me was to remove things that would cause me to stumble.

Example, I used to use food as a comfort and a coping skill. A super unhealthy one and led me down a path of being morbidly obese and just completely unhealthy.

God was specific with me: "Remove the things which is causing you to stumble." He really helped me in removing those obstacles in my life. I no longer keep snacks in my place unless they are healthy. I've obviously had snacks in my apartment before, but I make sure they aren't ones that I will binge eat because I'm feeling sad, or stressed, or anything. I want to go to God with those feelings instead of food.

I've lost over 100 pounds since God really helped me in this. I will always be an emotional eater. It is something that I struggle with and I want God to be the one to fill that void and not food.

Another thing is I take God shopping grocery shopping with me. It sounds ridiculous but I always pray to Him, "God, let's go shopping. When I'm about to pick something that's not going to be good for my health, be stronger than it." I hear God constantly with me whenever I go grocery shopping. It's pretty cool.
I need to follow your advice.
 
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bèlla

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God was specific with me: "Remove the things which is causing you to stumble." He really helped me in removing those obstacles in my life.

He's very good at bringing problem areas to our attention. The Lord began managing my diet several years ago. There were small changes. Then He touched my Whole Foods cookies. I don't eat refined sugar, flour, etc. But when I disobeyed I experienced immense tooth pain.

I apologized and finished them. Pleading for an end to the pain.
Then I did again. Different flavor. It was worse. Rinse and repeat.
You'd think I learn my lesson but I tried once more. It was agony!

When I had my fill (3 times a charm!) I looked at the ingredients and noticed the change. They used refined sugar (they're vegan now). Over time He removed items and added others. Then He limited me to two stores to make certain I'd cook more often. There was a period when I couldn't have alcohol and had to reduce my caffeine intake. And He took away bread and said I had to bake it or get it from a bakery that uses natural yeast.

I no longer keep snacks in my place unless they are healthy. I've obviously had snacks in my apartment before, but I make sure they aren't ones that I will binge eat because I'm feeling sad, or stressed, or anything. I want to go to God with those feelings instead of food.

I do the same. Bingeable foods are calories in the making. So I treat myself when I don't feel like making it. Three cookies are better than a package. And they're fresh.

I'm not an emotional eater. My consumption is inconsistent. I need to eat more. My body is accustomed to less. But its affecting my metabolism. I'm getting better. I wouldn't eat until 11 (I wake around 5). Now I've had something by 8.

I've lost over 100 pounds since God really helped me in this. I will always be an emotional eater. It is something that I struggle with and I want God to be the one to fill that void and not food

Congratulations on your weight loss. Well done! He will fill the void with Himself and you'll continue to improve. I'm happy to hear you're committed to your health. :)

Another thing is I take God shopping grocery shopping with me. It sounds ridiculous but I always pray to Him, "God, let's go shopping. When I'm about to pick something that's not going to be good for my health, be stronger than it." I hear God constantly with me whenever I go grocery shopping. It's pretty cool.

Not at all. You've chosen the right companion. He'll never lead you astray. Do you have support and accountability too?

~Bella
 
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shineyourlight

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I need to follow your advice.
It's hard to do it and to be committed, but I feel like I owe it all to Jesus for my success.

Haha. Covid has got me up and down in weight. I keep jumping up 5 pounds and losing 5 pounds. Today, just refocusing my mind and dedicating to my journey once again.

He's very good at bringing problem areas to our attention. The Lord began managing my diet several years ago. There were small changes. Then He touched my Whole Foods cookies. I don't eat refined sugar, flour, etc. But when I disobeyed I experienced immense tooth pain.
That is awesome! You do it differently than I do, even though my diet is fairly clean. But those things seemed to have been an issue for you. That is crazy about the tooth pain. Did that use to always give you issues whenever you ate those items?


I do the same. Bingeable foods are calories in the making. So I treat myself when I don't feel like making it. Three cookies are better than a package. And they're fresh.
Exactly. There was a time where I could leave snacks in my cupboards but when I was going through a stressful time of my life, I was binge eating. So, I had to get rid of the snacks again.

It is really about moderation.

I just know my weaknesses and I know I would not practice moderation


Congratulations on your weight loss. Well done! He will fill the void with Himself and you'll continue to improve. I'm happy to hear you're committed to your health. :)
It's such hard work, but I feel better! God basically said I was going to die an early death if I continued.

Not at all. You've chosen the right companion. He'll never lead you astray. Do you have support and accountability too?
Believe it or not, but I had a lot of negative feedback when I first started my healthy eating. It was actually pretty shocking to me. I don't really have much support with my weight loss journey, but I have chosen to be part of a program now to get that :)
 
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bèlla

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It's hard to do it and to be committed, but I feel like I owe it all to Jesus for my success.

It is difficult but you have the greatest Encourager and Counselor that exists. That's more than enough. :)

Haha. Covid has got me up and down in weight. I keep jumping up 5 pounds and losing 5 pounds. Today, just refocusing my mind and dedicating to my journey once again.

That's understandable. I've been all over the place. I experienced significant changes all at once. Getting things in order took precedence. There were moments when takeout was the solution. Now I'm falling in line again.

What matters most is the mindset. That's half the battle. Once you've determined that excess is not an option you're okay. It doesn't matter how long it takes. Your commitment is the fuel that keeps you going.

That is awesome! You do it differently than I do, even though my diet is fairly clean. But those things seemed to have been an issue for you. That is crazy about the tooth pain. Did that use to always give you issues whenever you ate those items?

I had an organic diet before He began working with me. But its wholly seasonal now. If it isn't in season I won't buy it. Freshness and taste are big factors. The tooth pain was weird. It never happened in the past. That was a lesson in mindfulness.

Over the years we've become increasingly green. I make deodorant, tooth powder, preserve food, make herbal remedies, etc. It didn't happen overnight. But when He healed me (from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia) the changes increased. I call it back to basics. That's how it feels.

Exactly. There was a time where I could leave snacks in my cupboards but when I was going through a stressful time of my life, I was binge eating. So, I had to get rid of the snacks again.

Yeah, that will derail you. There was a time I didn't buy them. He was conditioning me and reaffirming my understanding of mindless eating. And instilling a consciousness about my choices. Do I desire this or am I eating it because its here? Telling me to make it forced the issue. Because I wouldn't. :p

It is really about moderation.

I just know my weaknesses and I know I would not practice moderation

That's okay. You've made an important discovery. He's customizing your response. It fits you perfectly.

It's such hard work, but I feel better! God basically said I was going to die an early death if I continued.

That's hard to hear but I'm glad you listened. Its a powerful testimony for others.

Believe it or not, but I had a lot of negative feedback when I first started my healthy eating. It was actually pretty shocking to me. I don't really have much support with my weight loss journey, but I have chosen to be part of a program now to get that :)

I'm not surprised. That's why I asked. ;)

I used to discuss this elsewhere. The topic was part of my conversation with @Ronit but I didn't address it overtly. But I've broached it in other ways on the site from time to time.

There's the happy medium between feeling good about ourselves and recognizing our beauty. While respecting your temple and working within your limitations to find your sweet spot.

My goal is loveliness. For myself and others. I have a grace-filled approach on physical appearance. I don't emulate cultural messages or chasten weakness. I meet her where she is and encourage her to view herself through God's lenses. By doing so, you'll address places of struggle and acquire a clearer understanding of your divinity.

As you can see, you're in good company. :)

~Bella
 
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I grew up in a very dysfunctional home that caused me to have a difficult time having any sort of intimate engagement with the opposite sex. However, over time God has healed my heart in this area and now I'm good to go.
 
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Just a few things whilst I'm here...

If you've worked hard to master a skill, you are 100% allowed to be confident about it and your ability to be one of the best. Self awareness cuts BOTH ways - it's good to be self-critical, but you must apply discipline and common sense. Know what you're terrible at but also KNOW what you're great at and sell it to people. Don't 'settle' in life.

Crushes are a mistake. Unless you're in a relationship: have multiple options - and until a commitment is made, continue meeting other people. Nice people would rather make the most out of a bad date, and then ghost you off later on to spare the awkwardness. So never pin your hopes on any ONE person just because it 'felt right' for you. (This isn't absolute, I expect to be debated on this.)

If money (or the lack of it) is your reason for doing anything then you'll never actually do ANYTHING.

Be brave, back yourself and enjoy giving things a jolly good try. Do NOT entertain fear for a second. Rejection will always part the trees to your true fans. Failure will always wait for success. And hard work will always pummel talent.

Augh, I sound like a life coach. I hate myself lol.
 
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