Old Rut Christian

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3

Boredom arises sometimes when I have had too much time on my hands. Sure, I could get up and do the laundry, the dishes, or clean the bathrooms. Yuk! Obviously, those don't appeal to me as something to do during those rare times when I'm not busy.

What I've ended up doing, more times than I'd like to admit is watching TV and I eventually get a bag of some type of snack to munch on to keep my hands busy.  During those times, it seems like before I know it, most of the bag is gone. Was I hungry? No. I just aimlessly munched my way through the bag. I wish I could tell you that I no longer do this, now that I turn my stress, my eating, and my life over to my Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, there are times that I fall back into that old rut.

I would be much better off with knitting or crocheting, with my hands rather than downing a bag of some type of crunchy snack. What would be even better is if I turned the TV off and talked to God about my wanting to eat when I'm not hungry. Sometimes I do this, but there are still times when I start to fall back into that old rut and engage in one of my vices. I don't want to be an Old Rut Christian who is led astray by human vices when I have too much time on my hands. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3


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.

Bitter Christians

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13

I have talked to a few people who have lost their faith in Christ, because He didn't answer their prayers to save a loved one. Christ doesn't say that He will never have bad things happen in the lives of Christians. Christians will lose jobs, loved ones, will have illness, diseases and stressful situations in their lives like other people of the world. 

The difference is that Christ will be there with us to hold our hand through these ordeals and will get us through them. I feel for those who have become Bitter Christians, losing their way, because their prayers weren't answered the way they had hoped. My prayer is for them to have a renewed faith in Christ, knowing that He will get them through both the good and the devastating things that happen in their lives.

I used to eat when I dealt with stressful situations and turned to food instead to my Savior. I find that Christ quite often gives me The Peace Which Passes All Understanding to get beyond situations that seem insurmountable. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13

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.

Back-Tracking Christian

But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:32-33

 I hope that I don't make my weight loss seem like a piece of cake, pun intended! I couldn't resist. I thought to change it to a walk in the park, but I thought the original was much funnier. Small pleasures!

Anyway, I had many grief stricken days throughout all the years I was overweight. Every time I went to my closet, I would get frustrated because I didn't have much to wear that fit or was comfortable. I knew that putting those items on would make me aware of what I was doing to my body and how it affected my self-esteem, my relationship with God, and my relationship with my family.

How could my being overweight affect my relationship with God. Well, for one, I was turning to food instead of turning to Christ in times of stress, etc. Food had become a false god in my life. Additionally, there were times that I wouldn't go to church, because I didn't want others to see me in my too tight clothes. Not to mention, how sad it made Him when He saw how it affected my relationship with my family.

My self-esteem was dragging and I took it out on my family, by being impatient with them. I didn't go as many places with them as I would have liked to, because it was so difficult for me to go out in public. I regret not being a better role model. Fortunately for me, Christ took compassion on me and has healed my compulsions. Does that mean that I don't ever backslide? Unfortunately, not. Fortunately for me, Christ is merciful and reminds me when I start back-tracking. I am so very blessed, because I don't want to be a Back-Tracking ChristianBut though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:32-33

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.

An About Face Christian

When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them: for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Ezekiel 18:26-28

We were in the middle of the church service the other day when several people came in. First, I thought:they are late! Seconds afterward, Christ tugged on my heart and let me know what a terribly narrow thought that was. These people knew they were late, but they could have said, "There's no way we can ever make it to church on time. Let's just stay in bed longer and lounge around the house." These people didn't do that. They came knowing that it would be obvious to others that they were late and they came any way!

What mattered to them was spending their time with their Lord and Savior who guides and refreshes us in our daily lives. I had to immediately do an about face! Christ had opened my heart to have a new appreciation for these people who took the risk to come in during the middle of service to be near their Lord. I want to continue to be an About Face Christian letting Christ turn me away from judgmental thoughts and be more open, understanding, and welcoming to others. Christ healed me of my many vices such as compulsively overeating, turning to food in times of stress, etc. instead of turning to Him. If He can do all that and more, He can heal me of being judgmental if I let Him. When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them: for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Ezekiel 18:26-28

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.