Two weekends ago I was speaking at the Kingsway Radiant Women’s Conference in Eastbourne.  During the first evening celebration it was arranged for me to be interviewed ‘on the couch’ by the compere for the event.  One of the questions she asked me was whether or not I was afraid that a few years down the road I might put on a couple of stone and how would I feel if I did.

Being unprepared for that question I don’t think I answered it too brilliantly, to be honest, but then I realised that this was something which I hardly ever thought about these days.  However, in the past, whenever I dieted, this was something which plagued my mind often.  After all, my track record (and yours, too, I shouldn’t wonder) was to always to regain, over time, all the weight I had lost, usually with more beside.

But these days I am not scared of this prospect at all. And now that I have had time to reflect I believe I can give a sound, Biblical reason for this hope that lies so strongly within me.  It is this:  I serve a God who is able to keep!

There are two Scriptures which come to mind.  The first is found in 2 Timothy 1:12, where we read: “….for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that what I have committed Him until that Day.”  The second is in Jude 1:24 which tells us that God “is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”  What wonderful assurance these verses offer us, not only in the context of maintaining victory over the magnetism of food (which was probably the last thing on Paul’s mind when he wrote!) but in every area of our life where we are tempted,

God is able to keep us providing we are willing to be kept!  He is able to keep ‘that which we have committed to Him’ so the question is, have we done this?  Have we committed out entire relationship with food and eating to God?  Is Jesus the Lord of our appetite?  If the answer is ‘yes’ then we need have no fear for whenever we are tested He will be right beside us to help us overcome.  These days I am so relaxed about this issue that I don’t even own any bathroom scales! I now know my body and how much food it needs; I have learnt to say ‘no’ when I am satisfied; when Christmas or holidays come round I can come through without regret over having eaten too much.  What freedom Christ has brought to my soul!

Isaiah 12:2 says: “Behold God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid: for … the Lord is my strength and my song: He also has become my salvation.”  God wants us to trust Him in this matter and not to be over-concerned about whether we can continue to keep our weight off in the months and years to come. I have been a Christian for over forty years and all this time He has kept me. Surely I can rest in His love and find grace to help in every time of need. And you can know this rest also.  Just keep your eyes fixed on God; look to His ability, not your own, and you will finish your race with joy!