Disillusioned

[captain_midnight]

Hello.

I am an ex-Christian. I consider myself to be agnostic. However, in the past three years, since I lost my Christian faith, I have found myself feeling . . . disillusioned. Confused.

Also-- in the past three years, I have managed to gain a total of 130 pounds. This has caused some serious health problems for me, and I am now at the point where I am feeling a little desperate. I am beginning to wonder if my weight gain and my unhappiness may be associated with my loss of faith. I don’t know for sure that this is true, but it seems like it is a possibility.

I am thirty-years-old. I am married to a wonderful, kind, beautiful young woman. Together we are the parents of three wonderful children: a set of 18-month-old twin boys and a three-year-old girl. We are expecting our fourth child in January.

Today I told God that if He exists, I am asking him, no begging him, to help me in my lack of faith. I am very well acquainted with various theological issues, and so I don’t know that I will be raising them here. Rather, I am here to ask for support.

My main concern at the moment is my weight gain. I saw my doctor last Friday for a follow-up visit after my bloodwork came back showing that I am pre-diabetic. I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He put me on medication for the blood pressure (Diovan), and he says that if my cholesterol does not go down between now and the end of September (when I have my next appointment), he is going to refer me to a cardiologist and that I’ll likely have to go on cholesterol medication as well. Currently, I weigh 300 pounds, which is very embarrassing and a little scary to me. My doctor says I am at very high risk for heart attack and stroke. He wants me to get back down to at least 180, which is what I was three years ago. I have tried dieting many, many times in this past year, but it seems that all of my efforts fail. Since I work 10-12 hours/day, I am very sedentary. However, I am ready to make a new start. I am posting here because I made a deal with God (assuming he exists) that if he would help me to lose the weight I need to lose, I will do my very best to try to believe in him once more.

I was going to start my diet on Monday, but that didn’t work out. Now, I’m thinking about next Monday.

My doctor insists that I keep a food and exercise diary (to bring with me to my next appointment). I’m also supposed to walk on the treadmill for one hour/day and to eat no more than 1700 calories/day.

I don’t know if anyone here will be able to offer much support, but I thought I’d post about my journey here, if nothing else—to ask for prayers.

 

[razeontherock]

Welcome to CF! I will tell you that exercise in the morning will speed up your metabolism all day long. This is part of overall conditioning, which takes time to bring around. As soon as possible you want to add resistance training, but incremental adjustments are the key. Overdoing it, doing too much too fast can backfire. I'll also point out you can go way below 1700 calories / day for 3 days in a row, then pick it back up for 2 days and your body will respond to that MUCH better! I can tell you about natural supplements that can help you reduce hunger, as well as control cholesterol; none of which causes any problems with medication.

I'm glad you're taking this seriously! Also, approaching the Bible with the attitude of asking G-d to show you He's real works wonders, but that's a separate dimension of our existence.

Encouraging you in the Lord and Praising Him forever,

Ray

 

[drich0150]

If you want a relationship with God then want one because you seek God, not because you want a bargaining chip to loose weight. What if you had a someone who wanted to be your friend, but only if you worked for him for free?

That's not what healthy people (mentally) want to build a relationship on. So why would you think the Master and commander of the entire universe would want to prove, or work for you, so that you can "be friend" Him?

I can tell you that if you try and build a "faith" on signs and wonders like loosing weight then you will be a man who builds his house on sand. When the rains/trials come your faith will fall apart again.

If you want to know God, then seek God. if your just here to loose weight then Brother Raze had some really helpful tips! Don't go to God with a list of demands to your faith. More than likly (Even if you get what you want) it will end badly.

 

[Bear.Fr00t]

Asking God to reveal himself is the right thing to do. Keep praying (and begging), don't give up. I've prayed for you.

 

[zaksmummy]

If you are struggling with eating to much, then may I offer you this piece of help - when the cravings come, repeat to yourself what Jesus said when he was tempted "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that come from the mouth of God".

When I have said this to myself in the past, the cravings have gone. I pray that this will help you. God bless.

 

[Ih8s8n]

My doctor insists that I keep a food and exercise diary (to bring with me to my next appointment).

captain midnight: Well, since you're expecting a fourth child in January, you must be getting some exercise. I wouldn't put those details in the diary if I were you.

I'm sorry...I know that this isn't a joking matter. As a father of three young children (7, 4 & 3) myself, I know full well what a blessing children are. You didn't mention what caused you to "lose your Christian faith", but Christianity is about a lot more than just "faith" (to many, this seems to be nothing more/less than an adhering to an intellectual argument). Yes, Christianity is about knowing Christ and being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. I suspect (and I'm not mocking or seeking to be disrespectful) that you never "lost" this as you probably never had it to begin with. If such is indeed the case, then I would be happy to discuss the Biblical plan of salvation with you.

As I read your post, especially as an aforementioned father, I couldn't help but think what a tragedy it would be for your children to have to live the rest of their lives without their father. I also couldn't help but think that that's precisely what you're doing right now...living your life without your Father (God). Hopefully, that will all change soon. I'll be praying for you.

 

[salida]

Gods creation is evidence alone. The bible says we are without excuse just with creation, Rom 1:20.

Christian concept, Are you a good person? www.livingwaters.com/good/

I suggest you research the credibility of the bible concerning overwhelming evidence which is very high even though it’s a spiritual decision first.
Visit: www.TheBibleProofBook.com, (you will need acrobat reader for this), read The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell (its overwhelming circumstantial evidence of bible) and Examine the Evidence by Muncaster a former athiest/The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel a former athiest. Christiananswers.net, www.equip.org (articles), http://www.gotquestions.org/

Do you have the holy spirit? He will give you the power to live a christian life. Human effort alone can't do this. Pray and you will get it.

God will help you be disciplined in losing weight.

 

[Jae Hwa]

One of the benefits of religion is that it helps people with coping. You know what else helps people with coping? Food.
I'm not too suprised to hear that with your loss of religion came a gain in weight.


How many times a day do you eat?
What are you eating?
Why are you eating?
Do you eat when hungry or at scheduled times of the day or when others are eating?
Do you continue to eat after you are no longer hungry (I do this sometimes, especially if it's tastey ;D)

Are you stressed? You have two children and one on the way and work a lot of hours, that is a lot to deal with.

Have you considered joining a gym or meditation classes?
If you don't want to go to a gym or pay for a gym membership (they can be really pricey), perhaps you could find a place that has boxing or take up a martial art or another physical stress relieving hobby that will help you get in shape.

You can do it!

 

[berachah]

I think you should fast (on fruit juice)...the first day will be the hardest, the 2nd the second hardest. After 3 days you will have a breakthru.....youe faith will begin to restore. After 7 you will come under conviction of sin and you will be reconciled to God.
Keep going if you can thereafter.

Thats a prophetic word for you...

And if you have the will to overcome the flesh through a fast, dont let it simply be a diet. You should try the following during the fast:
- no tv, internet, or other media
- wake up 1/2 an hour earlier during this period and speak to God. (or at this stage, pretend it is God)
- Read 1 chapter of the new testament each day

What have you got to lose.......