“Learning to Surrender” by Ann Webb

by | Jul 23, 2019

1 Corinthians 6:13- You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.)

Over the course of my lifetime, I have been on more diets than I can count.  So many fads came and went, so many pounds down, up, down, and up again.  As recently as this past November, I was down (and back up by December).  I was exhausted and defeated.  As I prayed over what HE had for me, how HE would lead me differently, I got the word SURRENDER.  Surrender what exactly? My will, my choices, to HIS leading.  What does surrender look like?

I felt conviction that, while all food is good, there are some foods I need to put aside because they awaken the sin of gluttony in me.  I prayed over Romans 14 realizing that I am causing myself to stumble.  Romans 14:12-14- Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.  So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong.

When HE began leading me down this new healthier road, I found myself almost overwhelmed by temptation.  1 Corinthians 10: 13- The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.  Shockingly to me, HE has provided a way out.  Every week I find that my food temptations shift, change.  Foods that were forbidden a month ago, I enjoy in moderation.  Foods that I enjoy too much, get put to the side. I am not overwhelmed or condemned by anything I eat or forego.  Sometimes I slip up and over-indulge.  I am a sinner.  This doesn’t surprise me or HIM.  HIS faithfulness brings me back.  Proverbs 3:6- Seek HIS will in all you do, and HE will show you which path to take… SURRENDER.

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