Video: Some Thoughts on Weight and Body Image

Bravo!! So true thanks for offering that to others.

You always have some good thoughts along with your story, Jeremy.

When I left college ministry after four years, it was pretty obvious that God was telling me to take a step back. It’s funny to think about, because as I continued further in ministry, the farther I got from reading Scripture and praying regularly. Doesn’t seem like that would happen, right? But, it did. I got more and more consumed with “doing” things and making sure that I met with students that my time was not really my own. I began to rely more on the things I’d learned about the Bible and how this passage in Scripture was connected to that passage in Scripture, that I wasn’t relying on God’s Spirit to inform my activities.

I’ve been out of college ministry for a year and a half, and I wish I could say that things were better; that I’ve come back around with my reading and praying. Unfortunately, the obstacles in my way include worry over the future and grappling with a subconscious notion that to study Scripture I need someone around to teach Scripture to — that studying it for myself is a waste of time. I know that this is wrong; I know that worrying is wrong, especially when God has proven time and time again His love and provision for me.

I’m not sure what piece is being withheld, honestly. Maybe a sense of feeling like I’m owed something for the time and struggle I put into ministry. Maybe I mistrust what’s to come, since the way I thought things were going kind of didn’t pan out (yet I’m glad God took me out of ministry, because I was slowly unraveling as a human being). Whatever the case is, I want it to change. Right now I don’t know exactly what it will take to change it. I feel like I take my faith seriously, otherwise I don’t think I would be struggling with wanting something to change.

Guess you could say I’m in the wilderness.

Man, well said! You rock me every time you speak! Thanks for the help! It’s such a touchy subject, but I am so thankful you have the courage to address it. You have been an inspiration to me and tons of others around you. And PLEASE keep these videos coming!

Hey Jeremy! Thanks for sharing your heart! I’m definitely in the midst of being set free from my weight. I can tell you I completely agree with it not happening until I gave my ALL to Jesus. Part of my past involves sexual abuse. From that came a 15 year addiction to porn and serious struggles with my identity. When I realized that I’m not who people say I am, I’m who God says I am, it helped change my way of thinking. I needed to stop listening to the lies that I would always be overweight and realize that Jesus was asking for all of me. He wanted me to be fully surrendered.

God is in the process of setting me free from 24 YEARS of addiction!! Praise Jesus!! It’s only because of the redemption in Jesus that I even have a chance. When I surrendered everything the weight literally just started coming off. It’s still surreal to think that I’ve lost 55 pounds! I’m watching my body shrink right before my eyes. It HAD to start on the inside and work its way out. Is it hard? Absolutely, but when Jesus asks for your all and your obedient, the rewards far outweigh the struggles. It’s worth it to surrender! I know I’m amazed at how God has truly changed me. What a blessing to be called by Him and be one of His children!

No discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful. Later on however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

Good word Jeremy. I appreciate your authenticity and desire to help others. I know that weight management is something that we all struggle with. I know personally keeping my weight in check is directly correlated to my spiritual health. Keep up the great work!

Thanks for speaking about this. There have been so many times in my own personal history that I’ve finally given up a particular struggle to God, and He immediately turns around and gives it back to me more abundantly, more wonderfully than I ever could have imagined. I love how that works out.

I have been thinking a lot lately about how we should treat our bodies as “a temple”, and I know I’m slacking in this… I’m not quite there. Not by a long shot. But it is a blessing to know that by His grace, God isn’t finished with us yet.

So true. It’s amazing how I can be so protective of specific areas of my life and ministry and yet at the same time completely ignore other areas of responsibility that are equally important but where I may be failing miserably. This is a good reminder to look at my whole self honestly before God so that I can truly be humble — realizing my position in relation to His — and ask Him to transform my whole person to be how He desires which will be better than I could ever do on my own.

This is great and about so much more than weight and body image. I think we all withhold from God and cling to our weaknesses - whether it be weight or something else entirely. While there’s so much freedom in surrendering those weaknesses, it’s a little scary to give up control (for me, at least). And yet, it’s such a powerful experience to allow God’s strength to shine through our weaknesses and to allow Him to use us even as people that are weak and broken. This was a great reminder for me to evaluate areas that I’m withholding from God and truly give Him everything…including my weaknesses.

I think that weight gain can really affect your body image. I think that its not right to blame God about your weight gain. I think that your right that its in your heart that truly matters.

Body Lotions