Big Picture Chrisitan

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

I am so thankful for God's personal reminder to me through this Bible verse. He reminds me that I plot things out, figuring step-by-step what I should do or say in a particular situation, but God knows the Big Picture. He knows exactly what I should do, not what I planned to do. God knows the hearts of the people I am dealing with and exactly what the people need to hear, not what I planned to say.

I need to be more mindful of turning my words (things I say) and my actions (things I do) over into God's very capable hands. You would not imagine how many times I've fretted over future situations, eating to console the knotted feeling in my stomach. That feeling is a physical indicator that I need to turn those situations and worries over into God's very capable hands.

When I do, things fall into place. The things that I do, when I'm open to being led, are just what they needed to be. The things I say, when I'm letting God guide my words, are so perfect that I will later be amazed at how well they flowed together and set a positive tone to the conversation. I need to be a Big Picture Christian, turning everything over to Christ who always sees the Big Picture! A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9
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.

Brownie Point Christian

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD: and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17

With having been heavy so much of my life, my self-esteem was low. Maybe it would have still been low if I hadn't been heavy, but I'm unsure. I used to do nice things for people with the ulterior motive of getting what I call the "Good Debbie's." People would compliment me for the things I had done and it temporarily bolstered my self-esteem, or at least my self-perception.

When I was old enough to be involved in church, I tried to do the same thing. I was a Brownie Point Christian volunteering for every committee I possibly could, trying to do things to win the admiration of others and God. The thing is, the admiration of others doesn't really matter in the scheme of things. It only matters what God thinks of me and what I think of myself.

I had to change my perspective to make sure I'm doing things for the less fortunate, because that's what God would want. Today I pondered whether I am I doing the nice things for the less fortunate to get Brownie Points from God? I'm hoping that's not the case, but being a very faulty human being, I may get caught up in still having ulterior motives, just more subtle. I have to be prayerful that my motives are truly genuine and not for any type of recognition. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD: and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17

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.

Two-Faced Christians

Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. Proverbs 22:22-23

It crosses my mind sometimes about how people who are or once were heavy, find it easy to make fun of someone who is heavier than they are. In much the same way, I hear many who have no tolerance with the poor, because they feel it's their plight for making poor choices in their lives. The thing is, the odds are that many of these people may have experienced the same situations at some point in their lives. Why do we find it so easy to be Two-Faced Christians?

Why is it easy for someone who isn't good at sports to find someone who is even worse to make fun of? Is it just human nature to make fun of others, especially in areas where we feel insecure? I don't really know for sure, but it is a very common thing. When I read this passage, it lets me know it's not what Christ wants from us. He wants us to be more tolerant and supportive of those down and out.

Do I always do this? I truly wish I could tell you that I do, but I wouldn't be truthful if I did. There have been times, I've been with a group of people where someone's made a negative remark about someone heavy, or someone poor, or someone down and out, and I haven't spoken up on their behalf. I really should have taken more of stand to stick up for them and I regret that. Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. Proverbs 22:22-23


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.

Compromising Christian

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprighteness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Proverbs 28:6

I was thinking when I just read this that I could also say that Better is someone who is heavy, overweight, fat, plump or any other name you want to call it, than is s/he that is thin, but leads a worldly life away from God's will.

This gives me a whole new perspective. Sometimes, I have gotten caught up wanting to be thin and to be a part of that elusive group of people that I don't belong to. It's not any specific group, but it's part of that bigger perception of always being left out, not feeling included. Do I let that feeling pervade my life where I am willing to compromise my Christian ethics just to belong? 

There's a time I might have. I'm hoping that I now find that doing God's will in my life is much more meaningful than giving up my salvation by being a Compromising Christian, caught up in chasing a worldly life style. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprighteness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Proverbs 28:6


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.

Shallow Christian

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25

When I read this, I realize that I am often more afraid of what others think than what God thinks. Oh my! I hate to say this, but I have worried more about what others thought of me being overweight than what God thought of me turning to food instead of to Him in times of stress, etc.

I hate to say this, but I have worried more about what others thought of me sharing my faith than sharing what God thinks I should. Why do I do these things? Why do I let the fear of what other people think control my actions? I wish I knew the answer or maybe I already do. It's that I want to be liked by others and included, so I avoid anything that might have the opposite outcome. 

What does that say about my priorities? I feel like God is of utmost importance in my life. Without Him, my life is meaningless, but I don't live my daily life accordingly. I am a Shallow Christian  who tries to please others instead of trying to please my Lord and Savior. I want God's forgiveness and need His guidance in bringing me to be more aligned with His will for me. The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25


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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