Humility in the struggle

"Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus;"  Philippians 2:5

There is an occurrence that happens in the life of anybody who tries to make a major change if that change will make you uncomfortable.  The occurrence of which I speak is pride.  We live in a very me centered society.  A society which tells us, "If you want it, and it makes you happy, and it isn't hurting anyone else, then you should do it.  Heck, you deserve it."  Three to five days into any major change like the diet restrictions it takes to lose weight this attitude will always emerge. 

This pride causes you to create excuses why you should have the things you desire.  Thoughts begin to run through your mind.  "I have done so good so far so a little cheat wouldn't hurt," or "It's been a long day and I need a treat or I won't make it through."  Not big excuses, but little cracks in the armor.  Pride looking for a way to stick its toe in so it can ruin all of your progress.  But.....

When pride rears its ugly head, we must remember Paul's admonishment to the people in Philippi.  He tells us in that letter to make our attitude that of Jesus.  He makes this statement at the beginning of a larger passage that describes the humility of Christ in great detail.  My favorite part of the passage is the description of Christ emptying himself into the form of humanity to be a slave.  If anyone ever had reason to have pride, it was Jesus.  If anyone ever had the right to say he deserved something, it was Jesus.  Yet, Jesus never said any such thing.  He took all that he was and became humble to the point of death for me and for you.  He endured death on a cross, but I find myself moaning over a little hunger.  

The gospels give an account of Jesus fasting in the wilderness for 40 days.  40 days!  Now whether or not you take that number to be literal, fasting is something we usually gnash our teeth at.  The point is Jesus abstained from food completely for a season.  People losing weight are simply trying to not eat as much.  Make your attitude that of Christ Jesus.

God never promised an easy road.  He never promised life would be all roses.  What he did promise was that he would walk with us through whatever trials may come.  I am amazed that even today I think God would make this weight loss easy.  I want overnight results, but I did not gain my weight overnight.  I want God to take away this cross of my own making, yet I would never want him to not have the cross of my making he died on.  You see the cross I bear I fully deserve, but he never deserved his cross.

Pride is a demon that attacks us all (and yes I mean that as both a metaphor and a true reality).  Scratch the surface of almost any sin, and at it's heart you will find pride.  In the area of weight loss, pride always leads you to the altar of temptation.  It puts all of your favorite foods in front of you and begs you to cheat.  As I have said, weight loss for me is a form of worship.  Through this process I glorify my king.  I must give my all as he gave his.  When I feel the temptation to cheat, I ask myself one question.  Where would I be if Jesus had decided to cheat on the cross?

Father, strengthen me when pride begins to run rampant in my soul.  Give me focus as I learn to follow you in new ways.  Thank you Jesus that you did not cheat, but carried my cross all the way to your death.  Thank you that your resurrection gives me the assurance that I can overcome.  Make my attitude that of Jesus.  Amen