FreedomExemplo

Satisfy Me with Your Love

I have type 2 diabetes. I feel a twinge of shame whenever I say this. Diabetes is a preventable disease. Genes play a role, but lifestyle is the greatest factor. So when I say out loud, “I have type 2 diabetes,” I admit my actions took me down this path.

At first, I ignored the warning signs. It was more fun to eat all the foods that I should avoid. I thought to myself, “I’ll do better later.” I was a slave to food and its entertainment.

For a year I tried intermittent fasting. It felt powerful to only eat for a few hours a day. But I was fooling myself. When my “window” would open, so would my mouth, and the overeating within those hours erased any good of fasting. Despite the appearance of control, I remained a slave.

For a year I gave up sugar. It was a year of pity parties. On my birthday, I felt so sad because I chose not to eat cake. I didn’t trust myself to resume my sugar-free promise afterwards. My heart mourned for the comfort of my sweet treats; I remained captive.

Finally, I gave up all the restrictions and asked my doctor to prescribe diabetes medications. Then, I let myself eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. I thought this would make me happy. But my indulgence in food did not satisfy; I remained chained.

I had exhausted the suggestions of the world, but my body remained sick and my heart preoccupied. Finally, I reached for the Scriptures and the Lord reminded me of my freedom in Christ: how He guides my steps through His Holy Spirit, how my heart is free when I follow His lead, how indulging in the Lord leads to health and life!

The Lord asks me to be still, to listen to His Spirit as He directs my body to heal itself through His power! He made my body able to tell me when to eat, how much to eat, even what to eat if I view food as a means for His glory! As I pray and follow the Holy Spirit, I know the Great Healer is healing me!

Father God, You are able. Every new day, set my heart free from the things of this world. Satisfy me with your love. And may I glorify You in my healing!

For Further Reading: Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 58:11; Matthew 11:28-30