Drop Weight During the Holidays – Five Surprisingly Effective Strategies

Want to feel lighter during the holidays and greet the new year weighed down by less? Predictably, I believe the Bible holds the key.

Here are five surprisingly effective strategies for dropping weight during the holidays.

#1: Drop the weight of grumbling and dissatisfaction. Nothing weighs a person or a celebration down like the heavy wet blanket of complaint. Paul commands us in Philippians 2:14-15 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

Imagine a holiday season where no one complains about the crowds, commercialism, or inconvenience. Imagine a winter arriving without the flurry of whining complaints. Imagine the people of God welcoming each season for what it has to offer and spreading gratitude that we have people to love, food to share, and the freedom with which to enjoy it. Imagine the festive aroma of words filled with grace.

#2: Drop the weight of anger. There’s a lot wrong on our planet. There’s a lot wrong in our communities, churches, homes, and even our own hearts. Opportunities for anger abound and we can find justification with little effort. But if the Creator of the Universe could sit to eat with sinners without raining fire down on their heads, then we can probably lighten up for a meal or two ourselves. Speak truth, by all means, but drop the anger at the door of your prayer closet.

Paul reminded the Colossians that they once carried anger as a necessary accessory, but now, they have a new calling. “In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” Colossians 3:7-8. I love that he tells them to “put them all away.” A freeing thought. Makes a heart feel lighter at the thought, doesn’t it?

#3: Release the weight of false guilt. Jesus isn’t laying holiday burdens on your shoulders. Don’t confuse Hallmark with holy orders. Holidays sometimes arrive when we’re grieving, facing a dire diagnosis, reeling from a broken relationship, or swimming in financial problems. Not having the holiday spirit is NOT a sin. Jesus whispers truth to our hearts that isn’t dependent on the calendar. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is key and He is able to navigate complex emotional terrain.

Satan is the accuser of the brothers (Revelation 12:10). When we hear repeated accusations against us, even in our own minds, from which there seems no escape, it’s likely he’s behind it. The conviction of the Holy Spirit is clear, leads us to repentance, confession, and freedom. When false guilt plagues us, reading Romans 8 will remind us of the truth. If troubling times, hardship, or loss are your lot through the holidays, give them their due. Find, don’t force joy. Surround yourself with others who can live in an authentic space and explore a season of celebration against a backdrop of genuine human experience.

#4: Drop the weight of pride. Who needs it? Seriously, we all believe we do, but it only erects barriers to relationships and God’s redemptive work in and through us. Forget what your hair looks like, forget what your home looks like. Worry not about your humble offerings and practice hospitality as a sacrifice, especially when it is.

And isn’t it pride that prevents us from sharing our faith, speaking our minds, or from relinquishing ground in a quarrel? We worry that others will misunderstand us, think us provincial or backward, assume we’re racist, sexist, and phobic, or that they’ll laugh at our presentation of the gospel. Why shouldn’t we be misunderstood, rejected, scoffed at, and walked away from – they did all this and more to Jesus. Humility is a lighter cloak and is sufficient, even in a cold season. Celebrate Christ by being like Him.

#5: Release the hidden weight of doubt and step into the confident certainty of our faith. We worship the Creator God who entered history in the form of His Son Jesus Christ. Our faith is defendable, historical, rational, and true. We serve the only God who raised from the dead. Jesus is the only name by which anyone can be saved.

And so, we express humble, but certain gratitude to the Living God, Jehovah Jireh, our Provider and we celebrate the incarnate Christ who entered history destined to die on the cross for our sins. Popular opinion and shifting cultural mores cannot alter eternal truth.

Did you think I was talking about extra pounds? Trust me, if you release dissatisfaction, grumbling, anger, false guilt, pride, and doubt, you’ll find fewer opportunities for stress eating. You’ll likely also breath easier, sleep deeper, and find yourself with greater energy for cooking healthy food, walking, and enjoying your relationships. That all adds up to a lighter life in every aspect.

Are you willing to drop unnecessary weight during the holidays, greeting the New Year with a lighter view? Nothing is impossible with God, my friends.

Imagine your life with Christ as a balloon ride and each of these weights as sandbag holding you down from the real adventure. Now, severe those ties. Catch the fire. Drop the weight and rise.

Drop Weight During the Holidays – 5 Surprisingly Effective Strategies https://t.co/sH5kcATB24 #holidays #weightlosstransformation

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) November 13, 2019