Lysa TerKeurst
About the Author

Lysa TerKeurst is a New York Times bestselling author and speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has lead thousands over the past 15 years to help make their walk with God an invigorating journey. Not...

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things we love
& you will too!
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  1. Thanks so much for that Lysa – my 3rd challenge of the month on this issue! A friend of mine dealt with this issue just as you described and shared her story in our recent Women’s conference. Then I heard you on Focus on the Family broadcast here in the UK the other day. I need to confront this long standing issue! God give the the grace to change!

  2. That’s what I needed to read – this day! I’ve been on a VERY healthy eating program for 10 days. I have lost ONE pound. I’m still in the obese range. I was about to throw in the towel again. Too hard, no one else has to eat like this, blah blah blah. It IS an issue between me and God. I give in to MY flesh too often. I need to give it up to HIM, for HIM. Thank you.

  3. Lysa,
    Thank you, this is also an area I’ve just accepted or made excuses for not dealing with it. I’ve blamed the depression for not getting out to exercise, or for eating just because, or ignoring the numbers on the scale. And you are absolutely right its a choice to make to say, Ok I’m done with this its no longer mine but I’m giving it to God.

    Its time to sit down with God and ask for his strength to help me get back on track.
    lisa

  4. This is a topic I am struggling with right now. In light of my mom’s death and the temporary separation with my oldest child…my emotions have taken over and I show no self control in regard to food. I’m on the yo yo. But you have given me much to think about. The mind…I must keep it stayed on Christ and Him alone.

  5. I’m always fighting with my weight too. I, too, am classed as obese and I hate it. I keep asking God for help but I just keep ignoring Him and eating what I THINK I can eat. But I’m only hurting myself and making myself more unhealthy. I need to “let go and let God”.

  6. Thank you! Incredible reminder that seems to be a daily battle. I don’t want to make the good choice but NEED to make the good choice. I feel like PLANNING and planning ahead when it comes to meals is the key. I just have to make that a priority in my week.
    With Joy, Carey

  7. God can do so much in this area. I am sure that your book is excellent just from reading your post.
    I don’t have a serious problem with my weight but I did start to gain slowly – letting it creep up telling myself that for my body that weight gain was fine. But it isn’t and I came to that conclusion when I was restricted to a “no dairy and no wheat” diet because of allergies. All of a sudden the scale went the other way – the 5 pounds fell off. Now when I am allowed to return to those foods I will endeavour to eat them with less vigour and a prayer for God to help me. Thanks for the reminder and that for showing me that what I noticed is true that calories do make a difference. Blessings,
    Jan

  8. Things that helped me very much in the quest for weight loss:
    I had tried SO MANY diets and exercise programs and the weight continued to creep on, so I would always give up in discouragement. I finally made the decision that if I had to be fat, I was going to at least exercise seriously and be as fit a heavy person as I could possibly be (which BTW is proven through studies to bring about serious health improvement even if you don’t experience weight loss). This resolve to get fit regardless of the scales cold, unmoving numbers kept me going even though it was almost three months before the scale began to move! And then move it did, slowly downward. It’s taken me a year to lose 34 pounds.

    As I began to feel like I had more control over myself because I was sticking with an exercise program, I introduced what I believe is the other important component for weight loss which is portion control! I read in a book to serve my food on a medium plate instead of a large plate and this has made such a difference. I have between 1200 and 1500 calories per day (usually).

    If you like, give resolving to be fit and strong regardless a try. It was amazing to me how much this helped me to be able to control my caloric intake too.

    I should also mention that I’m 44. A hugely motivating factor was realizing weight loss was not likely to get easier as I got older! And Jan, I was finally able to develop the discipline to avoid wheat and dairy too, and I had never been able to before as pizza and lasagna were my favorite foods. Good for you for staying away from them.

  9. My issue is not weight. But still, I’ve played those exact excuses over and over in my head a thousand times.

    Thanks for this post.

  10. Thank you for sharing this. A dear friend is getting ready to go through your book with some other ladies at our church. I’m considering joining them because it sounds so good!

  11. Thanks for your honesty, I needed to hear this today… I have the same struggle and am beginning to see the issue creep into other areas of my life. Now to be honest with myself…

  12. Love this post! While I don’t struggle with my weight all that much I do struggle with finding contentment in God alone. I should read your book!

  13. The problem is, I can’t always feel God. When I’m upset or scared or sad, or whatever it is, I just want to feel better, to feel something other than what I’m feeling. I know God’s there, I know He loves me, I know He’s holding me, but I can’t always feel that. What do you do to combat the feelings involved?

  14. Wow! this post was great! Thanks for your insight. God’s been working on my heart (even speaking through my husband, but I didn’t want to listen) to give up the shows I watch at night. I know they’re not glorifying to God and there’s no room for some of the things that are said. I also know I “veg” when I am emotionally drained instead of regaining my strength from the Lord. So funny, but you were talking about food… God worked through you and convicted me completely on what i’ve been ignoring. I need to cut it out. Thanks!

  15. Thank you so much Lysa…..this is an area I have been working on ever since I can remember. It is not just a matter of my weight, but hiding what I do when I eat. I have been hiding an eating disorder since I was in my late 20’s. I have everything to live for, I don’t have anything to stress over and yet I still have “an eating problem” – what gives! Thank you so much for sharing. I pray for all those with the same problems (from small to larger) and also place at the feet of our almighty savior this difficulty. Thank you again for sharing! I love reading all your issues on your site! Melissa

  16. No, food isn’t my issue, but you are right, the same scripts play through my head in other areas of my life. I’ve been hearing lots about your book!

  17. “A whole lifetime could be spent making excuses, giving in, feeling guilty, resolving to do better, mentally beating myself up for not sticking to my resolve, feeling like a failure, and then resigning that things can’t change.”

    This describes the pattern I have been stuck in recently – not in regards to food, but in regards to procrastination. I am a junior in college and writing my capstone thesis, and my motivation has been pitiful this semester. I am coming more and more to realize that my struggles with procrastination are a symptom of deeper insecurities and fears that I have not done a good job of bringing before God. Thank you for the encouragement to seek change rooted in the LORD!

  18. Thank you Lysa. I felt that you were looking inside of me and writing what I often think and say to myself to excuse my dependence on food. I resolved today to make a change and then I read this. I’d say that God was sending me a message 🙂

  19. It’s still so hard for me to imagine you as overweight; I’ve only seen you thin.

    But this book is encouraging, convicting but not condemning and your perspective IS helpful in dealing with life change for the glory of God!!! I’m SURE many will be prompted to action as a result of reading it……..and God will do a beautiful work of transforming :).

  20. THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGMENT.
    I WAS REALLY TRYING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND FEELING PRETTY GOOD UNTIL WE WENT ON A TRIP AND I TOTALLY GOT OFF TRACK. I AM AT THE PLACE WHERE NOTHING FITS AND I WILL NOT GO BUY CLOTHES BUT I FEEL SO OUT OF CONTROL. I VOICED MY USUAL “IM SO FAT” MY GRANDDAUGHT OVER HEARD AND SAID, BUT “GRAN YOU ARE STILL LOVED”. THIS REALLY SPOKE TO ME. SO TODAY I HAVE REPENTED AND AM BEGINNING AGAIN. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME.