“Strip off every weight that slows you down.” Hebrews 12:1 NLT

“Self indulgence is the enemy of spiritual health and well being.”

My thoughts today are about “weight loss.”

Does it sometimes seem like everyone you know is trying “to lose a few pounds?” What’s up with that? In spite of attempts to ignore, we all know that extra physical weight complicates so many things you do, makes every effort more difficult, and is unhealthy as well. You have a choice; you can do something about that as hard as that may be, or you can go on the way you are.

Yet, too many people readily indulge or ignore different kinds of weight that can even more negatively impact everyday life – emotional weight, feelings that cloud your judgment; mental weight, worries and thoughts that are unhealthy and/or unholy; relational weight, selfish behavior that complicates families and friendships, or spiritual weight, an accumulating neglect that wearies and weighs down the soul. To be in better shape – body, soul, and spirit – you may need a pretty serious weight loss regimen. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24 NIV.

Here’s a good place to begin. Has your spiritual life slowed down, or even stopped all together? “Strip off every weight that slows (you) down, especially the sin that so easily hinders (your) progress. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 NLT. People seem to focus a lot more time and attention tripping over entangling sins, while ignoring the less obvious encumbering weight that minimizes progress and growth, or eliminates it altogether. Notice the metaphor Scripture used is that of a marathon, not a sprint but a long distance race. This race takes vigilance and endurance; the task successfully accomplished requires perseverance. Self indulgence is the enemy of spiritual health and well being.

Can you imagine trying to successfully run a distance race wearing a long, heavy, winter woolen overcoat? Do you have worries? Heavy laden with care? “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you . . Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and . . you will find rest for your soul.” 1 Peter 5:7 NLT/Matt 11:28-30 NKJV. Now that’s a weight loss program that works wonders!

Troubling thoughts out of control? “For the weapons of our warfare are . . mighty through God for pulling down strongholds, casting down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV.

Here’s the Apostle Paul’s advice: “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.” Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT. Our daughter-in-law, Amy, is quite a competitive runner. She runs to win, not just for the fun of running. She has little sympathy for her competitors’ struggles. She is single-minded – in it to win it!

A successful, victorious Christian’s life allows no less – a strict regimen of training, tenacity, fitness, discipline, endurance, courage, confidence, and the like. “Train yourself to be Godly. For physical training is of some value, but Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV. You won’t win carrying needless weight! See 1 Peter 1:3-11 NIV.

My prayer for you today is that you will be fit and trim in your most important race.