Losing Weight

Since my bike accident in November, I have gained about 25 lbs. I started riding again last week. Eagerly anticipating weight loss, I weighed and discovered that I had lost 10 lbs in a few days. I was so excited! Proudly, I told Phyllis of my accomplishment and gave a mini-lecture on metabolism and exercise. I felt so much better. My clothes fit, energy level was up, everything was beginning to look up!

The next morning I approached the scale to weigh. As I was about to step on, something right under the edge caught my attention. I bent over to pick up a small plastic cap which had rolled under the edge of the scale. Slowly I stepped on, realizing my fate. Sadly, I gained back my 10 lbs in one night. My weight-loss miracle was a tiny plastic cap stuck underneath the edge of the scale.

When I acted as if I had lost 10 lbs, everything felt better. My outlook had changed. Everything seemed more positive.

One popular method of making attitudinal change is to "act as if." Another way to think about it is "fake it till you make it." This incident brought home this concept. I should "act as if" no matter what. In reality, I have lost the greatest weight of all in my life, sin.

Life is full of blessings. When the Bible character Paul was in prison he wrote, "No matter what situation I find myself in, I am content." I do not think he was faking it. He was really content because in spite of dyer circumstances, he had a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This was something that could not be taken away from him. It gave him joy in the presence of suffering.

So, today I am going to live in a blessed state of mind. I am free from the weight of sin. It is time to start acting like it!