March 28, 2013 - Close The Door

I had a great time last night meeting a new group of sisters as I ministered to a group in McDonough on The Journey to Freedom. I LOVE seeing the family of God connect with the truth of God's Word. I love getting to teach about my Father, God, and add new people to my God-family. I LOVE IT! Anyway - we've done 3 resurrection points this week leading to Easter and today is point #4 - Close one door and open another. I know that for many of us - MANY - death is really something we often fear. It's not that I am scared as much as I don't know what to expect from death. There are not a lot of instructions on the journey. (please, no disrespect intended) I have been in the room with several people as they entered heaven and I have to say, in every case, it's been extremely peaceful. So why are most people so distraught when they think of death? For me saying goodbye to my family - for a season - is my number 1 reason. But for many, it's the fear of the unknown. Let's remember for those who are Christians, we have no reason to fear the unknown. Heaven is not unknown to us, as the Bible paints a beautiful picture. But when we think of death, for our health journey, maybe you're having a difficult time connecting the two. But watch this. When I absolutely determined I would be healthy, "if it killed me," it certainly did! On that Tuesday night when I closed my eyes, I knew that Wednesday morning I would start a journey and NEVER open some doors again. I remember looking at the ceiling and feeling a pain in my chest that my comfort foods were going to die and I could never access their friendship again. This may seem silly to you but my heart was sad that I would never eat another doughnut. UGH! I felt a deep WOW come to my chest knowing I would never eat another candy bar. I know you're laughing, but this it the reality. Death to my "friendly foods" meant they would never be available again. In that moment, I remember Pastor Rick teaching us that "sometimes death is nothing more than closing one door and opening another and if we can visualize the picture we can confront fear." I laid that night with P Rick's words in my heart and visually saw myself close the door to my obese body and open a door to health. There was sadness at the acceptance in my heart that I would NEVER, EVER eat another doughnut. But I knew if would close the door to obesity and open the door to health, in my mind and in my heart, I could confront the fear of failing AGAIN and re-enetering the obesity cycle. And I smiled. So resurrection week #4 - close the door (death) to unhealthy patterns and foods which lead to death and open the door to health. Death doesn't have to be scary. Jesus' death closed the door to the bondage of hell and opened the door to eternal life with God for us. Saying yes to the death of your comfort foods and unhealthy responses to all foods will open the door to a beautiful and healthy you. That warrants a smile today. Yes? Loving you from Atlanta, PK