Whose Map Are You Following?

Posted on Dec 03, 2020 Topic : Inspirational/Devotional, Women's Christian Living
Posted by : Cambria Joy

I was ecstatic. At 15, I was starting my first diet, and I couldn’t wait to know exactly what to eat and what to stay away from. I believed that map was all the motivation and direction I would need to become a better, happier version of me.

With great commitment, I stayed true to it…and got nowhere. Actually, I went in the opposite direction of health, myself, and God’s truth about me. I was careening along windy paths to an unhealthy relationship with food. I became obsessed with the numbers I used to measure my worth each day: calories, minutes of exercise, pounds on the scale. My body and mind weren’t guided by truth and God’s love.

The map I chose to follow to discover my lean, ideal self caused me to gain weight. It took me where I didn’t want to go and through a lot more harm than help. I was defeated. Running around in circles (sometimes literally) to become something you are not is far from motivating. Each night before sleep, I felt more discouraged than ever.

Have you read Deuteronomy 2:2-3? “And the Lord spoke to me, saying: ‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward.’” That first diet sent me circling the satisfaction mountain for many years, striving for a perfect body. I finally acknowledged that this was more exhausting than heading straight up the mountain. It was time to trust God. I surrendered my life to God and He was faithful. The Lord directed me to stop dieting. Yikes…He found the part of my life I hadn’t wanted to give up. Is there anything you are holding this tightly? I wanted control. God knew this, and He knew my distorted perspective couldn’t solve my problems. He was the solution.

If you’re going in circles, it’s time to stop trusting in your map and look to God’s plan for you. Do you know what? Colossians 3:3 changed my life: “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” My identity and hope will not be found in physical gain. Understanding this allowed me to lay down my desire for a perfect body. When I stopped obsessing over my appearance, I eventually stopped bingeing lost the weight I had gained while bingeing, stopped feeling sick and bloated, let go of perfection, and enjoyed how God designed me…satisfied in Him alone!

You can trust God’s direction in every area of your life. Take Him at His word: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11 niv). God has a plan for your body, mind, and spirit to prosper.

Jesus doesn’t want to compete with anyone or anything in your heart. He created you and knows what’s best for you. Throw away your map. Trust that your Creator made you right and His direction is worth following.