Not Being Surprised When I Don't Fit In

 They are surprised that you don't join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 1 Peter 4:4 NIV Bible

There used to be a time that because I was so overweight, I didn't want to stick out like a sore thumb, so I went along with things I really shouldn't have. I might have been with a group, when someone made fun of someone else for one thing or another, usually things they had no control of. Although I didn't agree, I was afraid to stand up for what I thought, because I didn't want them to heap on the verbal abuse on me instead.

It was all too easy to just fit in with the group, but the Lord has changed me heart. I have to admit, that I still struggle with standing up for others when people are making fun of them, but it's a work in progress. It's not always easy saying, "That's not a nice thing to say" or "I don't agree with you!" Fortunately, the Lord God doesn't give up on me, but continues to show me ways to stand up for those ostracized. 

You would think that being ridiculed for my excess weight for so many years, would have made me, even more sensitive to being treated like this. But the more I try to be aligned with what Christ wants of me, the easier it gets to stand up for others, regardless of whether I fit in or not!

The Overs: Overeating, Overweight, Overcompensating

 If you do what is right, [won't] you be accepted? But if you don't do what is right, sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. Genesis 4:7 NIV Bible

Although this particular passages doesn't totally have to do with the topic of this blog post, it does tie in. I was overweight for a big portion of my life. The more I felt insecure about my weight, the more I overate. In doing this, I felt even more insecure, so I overcompensated for it in counterproductive ways! I used to try to be the nicest, friendliest person, willing to do favors for anyone I knew and some I didn't know very well. 

I thought that they would be so impressed with me for all I did for them, they would see through my overweight and find out what a wonderful person I really was. I thrived on what I call the "Good Debbie's." That's my ways of saying that I ate up all the compliments people gave me, just like eating up chocolates. Neither of which were very good for me! I eventually found that by overcompensating to hide my overweight from excessive overeating, I started getting taken advantage of. I found that I thrived on the 'Good Debbie's" so much, that I was willing to overlook this. But after a point, the Lord showed me that's not what He wanted for me. 

I heard from someone that in order to be walked on, you have to first lay down like a door mat. The Lord used this comment to lead me to prayerful contemplation about what I was doing with my friends, with others, and complete strangers. The Lord had it on my heart, that I was of value, not because of what I did for others, but because I was a child of God, regardless of my weight. The more I prayed about this, the more He showed me many ways that I had set up situations, that led to people treating me this way. With turning this inadequacy over to Christ's very capable hands, I started having more healthy friendships and relationships, and no longer needed to rely on overcompensating. I just needed to rely on the Lord! 

Am I Helping Others?

 Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household, Susanna, and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:3 NIV Bible

I admire those people who are so dedicated to risk their lives to help others in war-torn areas, or places with famines, and inadequate water, food, and shelter. Sure, it's easy to contribute to these worthwhile causes every-now- and-then, but what do I do? Am I helping others?

I go through the motions, but when I think about these women, who supported those early believers in Christ, it makes me realize how they must have lived in fear of being caught, risking their lives, to allow others to learn of the salvation that they might receive through faith in Jesus Christ.

The other portion of this passage I'm thinking about, is that they supported them out of their own means, which means that they dipped down into what was needed financially for their daily needs. Again, it's easy for me to pack a bag or two of canned goods, but it never brings me to the point, of making it where we might not be able to get by financially. I am so blessed, but so were these women. They risked everything to share their faith, but I risk so very little. I'm ashamed to say that I haven't been the Christian these women have been! This is lots for me to definitely be prayerful about!

Lord, Please Protect Me from Myself!

Do not withhold Your mercy from me, Lord; may Your love and faithfulness always protect me. Psalm 40:11 NIV Bible

Sure, it's easy for me to say to the Lord, protect me from everything that might be a temptation to me. But what really is needed, is that I ask the Lord for protection from Myself. I get arrogant, without even realizing it, thinking that I can maintain my weight loss, faith, and interactions with others.

When I get in this complacent mode, I am tripping my own-self up! At that point, I'm the one who is drawing close to crossing the line of vanity, self-absorption, and sinful lusts. I need the Lord, to protect me from myself! 

Whenever, I realize I'm starting to slip down a slippery slope, the good Lord, is always there with open arms to welcome me, and refocus me with the needed mind-set, focused on Him, and not on myself. Oh Lord, please give me a humble spirit, so I don't lose my way. Keep me focused on Your will and not mine! Amen.