I Can’t Change!

I had been on dozens of diets over the years, but I quickly regained any pounds I lost. I finally decided to be content with my weight.

After all, my family loved me the way I was.

As my seventieth birthday approached, however, my annual checkup revealed increased triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In addition, I became short of breath walking upstairs, and my feet hurt after only half an hour’s shopping.

I knew I should do something, but I couldn’t face another diet. Lord, I prayed, I know I should take care of this body You gave me, but on my own, I can’t give up the foods I enjoy. I’d never asked God for help with my addiction to sweets. It hadn’t seemed important enough to pray about. Yet Scripture said, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18, NIV).

That must mean God wanted to hear from me about whatever was on my mind. I didn’t have to save my prayers for matters of life and death.

I knew I couldn’t change my eating habits on my own —my desire for sweets was bigger than my desire for good health. But maybe God could change my mindset. I began to pray every day, “Lord, help me want to change.” Weeks passed.

I continued to eat all the things I craved.

I stuffed myself with chocolate cake on my birthday but continued to pray, “Help me want to change.” I devoured the leftover cake the next day, but still, I prayed. A couple weeks later, I awoke with the thought, I want to get healthy.

Lord, help me make it happen. God had prepared my heart for change, so I knew He’d help me succeed. Although I had my ups and downs, daily prayer kept me motivated to stay on track. I concentrated on eating healthy foods and exercising —not dieting. By my next birthday, my lab work had improved, and I was in better shape than I’d been in years. I lost weight, but more importantly, I gained the assurance that the Lord listens and responds to whatever we have on our minds.

We don’t have to wait for a crisis to call on Him.

He will help us do what we cannot do in our own power.

Lord, thank You for helping us accomplish what seems impossible.

Amen.

Diana L. Walters