Devotional for Dieters

[Judy Harder]

July 7


Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.


Tim always said that God really didn't help him much. The trouble was, Tim never did much for God, either. He rarely prayed, hardly went to church, and didn't even own a Bible. When someone suggested that Tim might go on a diet, he said dieting didn't do any good. Tim pursued a diet about as apathetically as he pursued God. We will never succeed in anything unless we dedicate ourselves-body, mind, and soul-to achieving our goal. A deep and driving faith can be the perfect model for our diets. If we will strive to lose weight as much as we strive after God, He will bless our effort.

Today's thought: I'm giving everything I've got to losing weight!

[Judy Harder]

July 8


James 5:11
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.


Gretchen wanted the job so badly. The doctor had told her she had to lose twenty pounds in order to pass the physical. Tina and Ann also had to lose weight to join the company. After a couple of weeks, Tina gave up. One week later, Ann folded, too. They both told Gretchen she was wasting her time. Gretchen didn't care. She held on, got her position, and never once regretted all she had to do to get it. She thanked the Lord that she had the strength to hold on when her friends had given up. Without His help, she never would have made it.

Today's thought: Job lost everything, and God blessed him greatly for what he suffered. If Job can endure, so can I!

[Judy Harder]

July 9


2 Peter 1:10
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fail.


Beverly never let her Bible get very far away from her. At the first tiny pang of hunger, she grabbed it and immersed herself in the Gospels. Feeding on the word of God was much better for her than feeding her face, and it always took her mind off her hunger. God wouldn't let her fail. He gave her strength and commitment when she needed it the most. Her diet had helped make her a much stronger person, spiritually. She had seen God's power to help her lose weight, and it had given her even more confidence in His power to do other things. Beverly knew that her diligence and perseverance came from God and nowhere else.

Today's thought: I am keeping God between me and the refrigerator!

[Judy Harder]

July 10


Romans 8:18
For I reckon that sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us.


Jimmy was fascinated by the cocoon. He watched the caterpillar work on its new home for hours. Everyday he came in to look at the cocoon. When the monarch butterfly finally emerged, Jimmy was delighted. God works some amazing miracles in nature. It shouldn't be so hard to believe that He will work such miracles in the lives of His people. Losing weight might not seem like a miracle, but for those who struggle with their weight, it often feels as if only a miracle will suffice. If God can transform a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly, He certainly can help us when all we want is to lose weight.

Today's thought: I am one of God's miracles, and He will help me be my best!

[Judy Harder]

July 11


1 Corinthians 7:17
But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. . .


Karen got so angry. Her friend Angie had started her diet at the same time Karen began. They had shopped together, eaten to-gether, exercised together, but Angie had lost seven pounds more. It wasn't fair. What was the use of dieting when she couldn't lose weight as fast as her friend? She put forth the same effort, but got less reward. God has made each of His children differently. No two are exactly alike. We are called by God to do our best with what we are given. We may not have the same results on our diet that others have on theirs, but that's okay. God will bless us for what we do and that's what really counts.

Today's thought: God will help me lose my weight without losing my mind!

[Judy Harder]

July 12


Galatians 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for it I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.


Granny wanted Ellen to lose weight. She used to offer her bribes all the time, to encourage her. The problem was, no matter how much weight Ellen lost, her grandmother wanted her to lose more. There was just no pleasing her. Instead of helping Ellen lose weight, Granny just made her more frustrated and discouraged. It wasn't until Ellen decided she wanted to lose weight for herself that it really worked for her. She prayed for God's help, and He delivered. Doing it for Granny wasn't enough, doing it for God and herself made it all worthwhile.

Today's thought: The more I care, the less I weigh!

[Judy Harder]

July 13


Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.


Randy couldn't belive how tough Bob's dad was on Bob. What was even more amazing was that Bob didn't seem to mind. Randy would have gone crazy if his own father demanded so much from him. Bob told him that his father was really a wonderful person and that he only wanted him to be the best person he could possibly be. Randy found it hard to believe, but one thing he did know: He sure wished he had as close a relationship with his own father as Bob had with his. Our heavenly Father expects a lot from us. He wants us to be everything we can be. Though He's tough on us at times, He will always stand beside us to help us when we try to improve.

Today's thought: When we aren't tough enough on ourselves, God will be as tough as we need Him to be!

[Judy Harder]

July 14


Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.


Ron was one of the best contractors in the business. Every job he'd ever started, he'd completed to the client's satisfaction. He never left anything undone. His reputation was beyond reproach. No one ever had to worry when they had Ron working for them. When we rely on God to help us with our dieting, we can rest assured that He will stick with us throughout the entire process. God does not give up. When He begins a job, He finishes it. We can have complete confidence in God. He will help us realize our goal.

Today's thought: With God's help, I can see this thing through to the end!

[Judy Harder]

July 15


Colossians 1:29
Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.


Gail couldn't belive how much her life was changing. All through college, Gail hadn't even set foot in a church. The only social situation she had been comfortable in was where food was involved. College had been lonely and unfulfilling, not to mention fattening. Just recently she had attended church with her new neighbor, and it was like coming home. She felt comfortable and accepted. Her newfound relationship with Jesus Christ gave her a different perspective on her life. She suddenly found a deep concern for her appearance and health. As God became more and more a part of her life, Gail vowed to become the best person she could possibly be.

Today's thought: God's might is greater than my appetite!

[Judy Harder]

July 16


1 Thessalonians 3:4
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.


Why don't diets get any easier? Chocolate cake is just as tempting a month or two after you start dieting as it is the day after you start. Time doesn't heal the cravings that go along with diets. There is suffering in dieting. For that reason, a good attitude and strong state of mind are essential for a productive, long-lasting diet. God gives us strength of character and determination. There is no tribulation, even dieting, that God can't get us through. Diets may not ever get easy, but they do get manageable when we add God's strength and perseverance to our own.

Today's thought: What seems impossible, God makes possible!