The power of life and death...

*This was inspired by an assignment in my Eating Disorders class this week.

It was cathartic for me to consider the words that swirl through my mind regarding my body, food, image, and health.  Thinking about which words bring life and which words bring death, to color-code it and ponder the weight that I tend to give each of these words.

I'm grateful for the progress I can see... the God-given messages of freedom and empowerment are slowly gaining ground over the lies of being stuck or helpless.  There is still some lingering rebellion and resistance in me - a fierce but misplaced internal pushback against the idea that I should have to become smaller to be worthy of love.  And there is still a resounding message that my looks will never be good enough for others, and/or that there will never be enough food to satisfy me - "stuck" and "never enough" are the highest-ranking lies I need to work through.  There are internalized words others have spoken and lies from the enemy, BUT there is also healing and grace and resilience.  And, of course, there is hope.  I gave the highest score to the word hope - something I want to hold firmly to as I move forward in my health journey.

(You can create these for free at WordArt.com.)

Tomorrow marks 7 months until my 40th birthday.  I officially started the WW plan five months ago on my 39th birthday, and I am down 40 pounds (it certainly could have been more, but I've struggled to be fully on track for the past month).  Still, that's a very solid number, and I am grateful for the progress and maintenance.  I am ready to press forward and disentangle myself from any negative messages and agreements holding space in my mind, uprooting the weeds and planting new flowers.  And I am praying for renewed strength and hope as I sort out what it means to live from a place of freedom + obedience!

Happy Sunday!  The power of life and death is in the tongue - Lord, let us intentionally and consistently speak words of life and hope! ❤