Godly Sorrow Brings Repentance that Leads to Salvation

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldy sorrow brings death." 2 Corinthians 7:10

Something that I'm having the most difficult time with in my journey is to remember that overeating and abusing my body is sin. I have bought into the world's view that eating a little too much is okay, that eating things that are wrong for my body is okay. But, I have to remind myself that this same worlds says that having an affair is okay, so long as you and your spouse aren't having a good go at your relationship. The same world says that getting drunk on the weekends is 'normal' and just fine. The same world would lead me into traps that aren't good for me or glorifying to God. It's the Bible that must direct my life and my behavior. The following verses are key to our survival in this battle, I believe: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17  For if we view obesity as 'normal' then we will continue to destroy God's temple. Obesity kills people every year. I knew a woman whose lungs collapsed from so much weight on her body and she died. It's sad but true. I don't want to get to that point. I want to glorify God with my body. I want to be able to say no to overeating and eating the wrong types of foods. I want to be able to exercise even when I don't feel like it so that I can keep my temple as sacred.

As I think about my eating over the holidays, I must confess that I went back into the mindset that eating these desserts were okay - after all, it's Christmas! But, truly, this is a 24/7 365-day a year battle between me and sin. I saw the above verse and thought that I need to have some godly sorrow and repent for my behavior. I need to recognize my actions as wrong and allow God to bring my salvation. I don't need to have worldy sorrow where I dwell in the past and keep hold of my regrets. Instead, I must recognize today as a new day, a day where I can serve God with my body and leave temptation behind. This is the day that God can free me from the bondage of the obese-lifestyle where I willingly give myself over to my indulgences and become trapped once again in mentally needing too many calories.

I don't write this with judgment directed at anyone for being overweight. I don't see people and point the finger at their sin. I don't even think about it. Instead, I'm talking about my own battle with gaining weight lately. I need to stop the upward trend, which truly has been sin in my life in allowing myself to revert to old habits. I need to recognize that I'm sinning against the Lord, which brings godly sorrow that brings repentance that leads to salvation. I need my Savior!

Dear Jesus, I am so sorry for sinning against You when I treat my body unhealthily. I recognize that this body is the temple of Your Holy Spirit's dwelling and I'm commanded to treat it well in the Bible. Lord, please forgive me for taking on the world's views that overeating is okay, that indulging our senses for our own pleasure is just fine. God, I'm truly sorry for the choices I've made, and I repent of them. Please change my behavior, my heart and my thoughts. Please save me from this sin and help me glorify You with my body. In Jesus' name, AMEN!