Vindicated Christian

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Do I really need to be a Vindicated Christian? There was a time where I was in the midst of my compulsive overeating that I thought it was important. I thought that I would prove all those skinny snobs wrong when I'm finally thin. I will show them that I am somebody special and that I really didn't really need their friendship any more.

In some ways, that was right. Christ taught me that when I started turning to Him in times of stress instead of to food, that I was worthwhile and I didn't have to belong to particular groups to have self-worth. I didn't have to be thin to have self-worth. I didn't have to wear certain clothes to have self-worth. God gave me that self-worth freely, when I started turning my life, my eating, and problems over to His very capable hands.

 I learned that I don't have to stay clear of people who are skinny. God gives me a whole other perspective on those I choose as friends. He showed me that I should choose friends because they were worthwhile and they support me, as a person. They need to be supportive of my relationship with Christ and have a mutual relationship with Him, as well. I am no longer dependent on others to determine what type of person I am or whether I am worthwhile. Christ does this!  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Foolish Christians

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20

I've seen this to be true on so many levels. I've seen strong students paired with weak students, and after awhile, the strong students started taking on the negative attributes of the weak students. I've seen couples where one is basically sane and has good logic start to be suspicious in keeping with the spouse's paranoid views. I've been among a group of overeaters who rationalized their having calorie laden unhealthy meals followed by frivolous dessert options, because they deserved it!

What I've found that after awhile, the far-fetched opinions of the foolish start sounding logical. That doesn't mean a person has to eat gruel all the time and always do without, but our bodies thrive on a healthy balance.

I find that it's easier for me to stay on my food program when I am around others who won't be pushing food options on me or make me feel guilty by trying to eat in a healthy manner. I don't want to become a Foolish Christian swayed by the illogical thoughts of others. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Sarcastic Christian

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 

You wouldn't believe how many times I've been a Sarcastic Christian. Well-meaning people have come up to me over the years, especially when I was grossly overweight and say something they thought is helpful like: "Your clothes would fit better if you'd only use a little will power!" Well.... something about their well-meaning comments pulled my strings, because I would find myself responding with some type of sarcastic reply.

I don't know that I was trying to be hurtful, but more to draw attention to the fact that their well-meaning comment was less than supportive and felt very judgmental. Was I being the Christian example that Christ wants me to be of His influence in my life? Hardly not!

I've had to be prayerful about this one, especially when well-meaning people share little tidbits of wisdom that they feel will enlighten my life. I need to be gracious in my response the way Christ would want me to and not give a sarcastic response. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Prideful Christian

And brought them out, and said, sirs, what must I do to be saved? and they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16: 30-31

I saw this lady that I know who is in the medical profession. She was wearing leggings instead of her normal medical uniform and I said, "Wow, you are really skinny!"

The next words out of her mouth were, "If I hear someone say that again, I'm going to vomit!" That wasn't exactly the response I expected, not that I really expected a response.

I've thought about this a lot in the last few days. I used to cringe when people would call me fatty, rotund, tubby, etc. when I was growing up. I never thought about people cringing if someone called them skinny. I always thought being skinny was a desirable thing, so I never thought about it being offensive to someone, but I was wrong!

Just like I've been wrong on so many other things in my life, Prideful Christian that I am. I believed in Jesus as my Savior, but my actions didn't demonstrate that. I turned to food to console me when I was alone, afraid, hurt by rude comments of others about my weight, or I was stressed. Food had become a false god in my life, because I was turning to it instead of to my Lord Jesus Christ. Fortunately for me, Jesus has forgiven me and shows me when I start turning to food instead of turning to Him. My belief in Christ isn't supposed to be by my word alone, but by my actions, as well. And brought them out, and said, sirs, what must I do to be saved? and they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16: 30-31

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Mover and Shaker Christians


He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.  Proverbs 22:9

Have you ever noticed that there are some that sit in the background in the life of the church and let others do whatever needs to be done within the church. Their names are never on the volunteer list. They minimally donate to church sponsored causes, if at all. They always have a reason why they can't do something for those less fortunate and feel very self-righteous in these decisions.

Then, on the other hand, there are the Mover and Shaker Christians. These people are generous with their time, talents, and treasure. They not only volunteer for for church sponsored activities, but they often are the ones who think of innovative ways for the church to be involved in more outreach activities with the less fortunate.

Now, we all should maintain balance in all things. I don't think God wants us to volunteer to the exclusion of caring for our own family. There are many who hide behind this to never take on other than minimal, behind the scenes duties. The thing is, if these people helped with more than minimal duties, less of the Mover and Shaker Christians would get burned out. We have seen in some churches where there were few who stepped up to the plate when things needed to be done, leaving the same people to do the majority of all volunteer duties in the church. Which are you?  He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.  Proverbs 22:9

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.
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