Your story may be similar to mine, or completely different, but regardless, if you’re reading this, it means God has been working in your life and health and someway, somehow, brought you here. I’d like to share my story with you so we can both see how God is at work, for our good, whether we realize it at the moment or not. He’s working His redemptive process, every day, to bring healing, restoration and freedom to His Beloved: You and me.
The Wrong Way
Like many, I started my health journey 4 years ago, in 2015, when I was so absolutely disgusted with what I saw reflected back at me in the mirror. I scoffed and criticized every photo, every bad angle, everything on my plate or of those around me. I jealously criticized the skinny woman drinking Starbucks or a cocktail, knowing I ‘wasn’t allowed’ to drink those things or the weight would pile on even more. “How could they eat and drink like that and still be thin?” I wondered with envy.
I knew things needed to change, so I reached out to a health coach who had had her own great success using powdered products, shakes and dehydrated food, and I was desperate, so I was ready to try anything!
And it worked…
I felt good after I had lost the weight, but reflecting back now I was always hungry, not always in a good mood (because of being hungry!) and was filled with vanity and pride.
Even with the weight loss, I was still never completely satisfied because I didn’t hit my goal number on the scale. (Looking back now, I see that number was unrealistic.)
I finally liked what I saw in the mirror, for the most part, but was still self-critical in my mind. Still not feeling ‘thin enough’ and still criticizing every item on my plate and those of others. And if they had what I wished I was eating, I would be judgemental and irritated that I couldn’t eat and enjoy what they were.
OR, worse yet, I would criticize their body and think, “No wonder they look like that, look what they’re eating! And they don’t seem to care!”
I had no internalpeace.
I remember when I put on this black and silver dress (above) that I hadn’t even realized I had lost the weight because the scale still didn’t say what I wanted it to and my mind was still obsessed with food and looks and false perceptions of happiness, so I couldn’t even truly enjoy my ‘success.’
I look happy and confident (in both pictures) but I remember feeling uncomfortable in my body, insecure and embarrassed of myself in the picture on the left, and and on the right I was not really able to enjoy and feel successful, even though my outer appearance had changed, because my mind was still all messed up and with the wrong priorities.
Then God Began to Move.
It was at this point that God began to work in my heart and life. I had started my own private practice for physical therapy and on the outside people would say I was successful in this. But internally God began asking me, “Where am I in all of this?”
He began moving my private practice away from just the rehabilitation of someone’s body, and calling me to integrate their global health and preventative health as well. And even further, addressing their spiritual health too.
But how was I going to do all of that?
I became a Certified Health Coach to be able to help others with their health and weight loss, but it still didn’t ‘sit right’ with me completely, because I felt in my heart that pure, whole foods that God had already created in nature were the best way to proper health. But the company I was with was promoting processed and refined products, bars and shakes, and I didn’t feel it was truly teaching someone how to navigate the day-to-day practicality of learning proper whole-food nutrition, meal planning and healthy living.
And God kept pressing upon me the need to incorporate Him in a bigger, actually more central, way.
Fit+Faith Was Born.
This is when I launched this very blog, back in August of 2015. Basically as a side project and outlet to get the message in my heart out about how our bodies were not meant to be segregated and separated when it comes to our mental, physical and spiritual health.
God has created all of them, each affecting the other, inside of one amazing body. Mind, body and spirit, all wrapped up together.
Since that time God has worked miracles in my heart and mind and grown this message of healthy mind, body and spirit, in Jesus’ name. He has grown the community that ensued into an international group of God-fearing women who are making positive and healthy changes from a new perspective:
As a steward of God’s creation.
Not as a slave to the mirror or scale.
Happy Ending, Right? Not Quite…
Uh oh. Maybe you can relate. As the years have gone by, despite knowing what to do, and coaching and counseling others on what to do, I’ve let old habits slip back in, and bit-by-bit I’ve let the weight come back on.
Previously this would have been cause for personal devastation and verbal abuse to myself as to why and how I’ve ‘let myself go.’
But something was different this time.
I found that even though the scale was going back up, I was no longer criticizing my every flaw, belly roll and returned muffin-top. At least not like I used to.
Even though I’m now needing to go back to doing the work of reversing old habits, creating discipline for the new, and giving my body the time it needs to make changes (this is key), I am rejoicing in the fact that the ‘old critical me’ has not returned.
I may not like how my clothes fit at the moment and am working towards things being different, but I am no longer criticizing every skinnier woman I see, or scrutinizing every item on my plate and everyone’s around me. I’m no longer feeling jealous or envious of thinner, more fit people. I celebrate their discipline and hard work.
I no longer pity those who are overweight, shaming them in my mind for their lack of self-discipline, as I’ve come to realize 1) it’s not my place to judge and 2) lacking self-discipline is not always the cause of their external appearance!
I now have peace in my heart, that I didn’t have before.
Knowing I am unconditionally loved by God and now my health efforts come from a place of love and respect for the body He’s given me, not vanity, pride and self-hatred in order force myself to look a certain way.
Who Am I to Judge??
Along my journey I have learned that:
- Thin people are not always healthy in their mind and spirit.
- Being thin does not equate to perfect physical health.
- Being large or overweight does not indicate your mental or spiritual health and does not negate God from being very active in your life.
- I am not the judge of things seen and unseen, God is.
- My job is to show God’s love to others by the way I live my life, treat myself and how I treat and view others.
- None of our journeys are over until the Lord calls us home.
- Our physical health journey is actually a mental and spiritual health journey.
- Our quest for ‘good health’ is a lifelong pursuit and a cultivated lifestyle, with God at the helm.
- Our actions tell the story of what we really want, regardless of what we may say.
You’re In the Right Place
Exploring this site and becoming a part of the Fit+Faith community is one of the best things you can do.
You join thousands of women across the globe who love God and are learning to love, honor and respect their bodies and are being transformed because of His immeasurable love for us first.
It was because He first loved us that we can learn to love ourselves, our bodies, even our shortcomings.
It was because He first loved us that we do not need to condemn ourselves and/or others because of the physical outer appearance. We can begin to accept His love, and in turn, show it to ourselves and others.
It is because of His love that we are transformed. We are made new in Christ. We are set free from shame, condemnation, judgement, self-loathing or self-harm.
We don’t need to turn to other people, substances or food to give us comfort and strength. He is all we need and has already conquered death for us to live, and live abundantly.
Let’s Journey Together
As I mentioned before, I’m on this journey with you. I am not perfect. In fact, I’m perfectly imperfect, as are you!
Imperfect, and determined.
Determined to grow closer to God.
Determined to make positive changes in my mind, body and spirit, for His glory.
Determined to share His love with others through example, encouragement and empowerment, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony.
My story is not over, and neither is yours.
Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved with us and many ways I can help you in your personal journey, if you’re looking for that.
Start by joining our Facebook community and listening to the Healthy Christian Women podcast.
I look forward to getting to know you more and see God shine out in your life.
Setting you free from guilt, shame, condemnation, regret and fear, in Jesus name!
We are His shining beacons of light and hope in this world. Let your light shine for Him!
Start with you.
~Dr. Melody
P.S. If you’ve connected with my story, please do me a favor and Share on social media below. Others deserve to know they’re not alone either, yet we are still perfect and loved in God’s eyes.
You don’t have to be a biblical scholar or preacher in order to have the Bible speak to you.
Phew! That’s great news, because I’m neither!
And chances are, neither are you. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want God to speak to us, and we don’t want to experience personal transformation in our heart and soul.
What’s so amazing and incredible about the nature of God is that He desires to know us, to be in relationship with us, and to transform us through his son, Jesus Christ.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 17:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
That’s what we want!
But let’s be honest, sometimes we don’t really feel like we’ve been transformed, even after accepting Christ into our hearts or even after being a Christian for many years. And let me tell you, the length of time you’ve been a Christian does not determine your level of spiritual maturity. It’s a process, and one that you need to be actively engaged and involved in.
So HOW can we experience these things? How can we experience the transformation process that the Bible talks about?
I was reading my Bible last night, reading about the life of King David. I know he was not always a king, so I wanted to learn more about his history and how he lived in order to be considered as a ‘man after God’s own heart’ (see 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:16-41).
And as I was reading I kept coming across scenarios and situations in the text that I felt God speaking to my heart about. It was so fascinating to me that while I was initially desiring to read about the life of David, purely to know more about how he grew up and how it came to pass for him to become King. But there were side stories and comments in the text that were actually speaking to my heart about completely different issues.
And that’s when it hit me.
God, in His infinite wisdom and power, can reach you in any way He likes.
It may be through a person, something you read, something you see on tv, a comment someone makes to you, a dream — it’s endless. But in your heart and soul, you know you’ve been given a message and you know that it’s God trying to speak to you and get a message through. It’s hard to explain, but you just have an innate knowing that that message was for you. And that’s what happened last night when God gave me these ‘4 Steps to Transformation.’
So regardless of what your needs are, and what your questions and desires to learn and grow may be, simply start with reading the Bible. Start anywhere. And through that, God will begin to show you, speak to your heart, and guide you where to look next.
The Bible is the living, breathing, active and life-giving inspired word of God.
And what’s so incredible about this book is that God uses it to speak directly to you, more than just what’s written on the pages. It’s a key to your heart and an open channel of communicating with God — your Creator. The one who has loved you before the beginning of time and ‘knit you together in your mother’s womb’ (Psalm 139:14)
So here are the 4 steps He revealed to me last night:
I. Acknowledge
Acknowledge that God is God, and we are not. That His ways are above our ways and there are things we cannot fully comprehend (Isaiah 55:8-9). That is why we require faith. Hebrews 11.
II. Receive
Open your heart and mind to actually receive communication, connection, love and forgiveness. So often we feel unworthy of the good things in life that God wants to give us, because we don’t feel we’ve measured up or we are lacking the faith to believe that a holy God could actually love us as we are. But until we open ourselves to receive His blessings (grace, love, mercy, joy, abundance, forgiveness etc.) we actually hold ourselves back from it. Matthew 7:8, Matthew 10:8, Matthew 21:22, Mark 10:15.
III. Repent
Which is why we need to repent (ask for forgiveness). Even for the things we didn’t realize we needed to repent from. But when God places it upon your heart, or you have a new awakening and understanding of something that requires your repentance, you must humble yourself and ask. Yes, we have to ask for forgiveness. God knows all, sees all, and knows our hearts, but He still wants us to acknowledge Him and enter into a relationship where we are recognizing our need for Him and voicing our desire to be with Him.
It is when we humble ourselves before Him, ask for forgiveness of our wrongdoings or whatever else He has revealed to you, that He sees if our heart and motives are pure. If they are, He then forgives us and washes us white as snow. That means He remembers our transgressions no more! So when He looks at us, He no longer sees our sins, He sees His perfect son in our place — Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7, 2 Cor. 5:17, 1 John 1:9, Acts 3:19, Eph. 4:31-32, Matthew 6:14-15, Colossians 3:13.
IV. Act
The final step of the transformation process is not complete until we ACT upon what we’ve learned. The actions we take would flow from what it is we’ve just learned or been shown. How would you act after you’ve just had the realization that whatever sins or transgressions you’ve repented of are now COMPLETELY FORGIVEN? What types of actions would flow from that place? Love. Grace. Mercy. Happiness. Delight. Servitude. The list goes on. But if you keep your new revelations and peace to yourself, how can it help and serve others? They need to know what you’ve just experienced.
Just as God had revealed things to you in your heart while you were reading His Word, He will do the same for anyone you share it with! As I said before, His Word, the Bible, is the living and breathing, active word of God. Simply by opening it and beginning to read. Be curious, ask questions, find answers, seek counsel. You will begin a deeper path of knowledge, understanding, wisdom and spiritual maturity that your transformation requires of you. Isaiah 55, James 1:22-26
For further reading, here’s another great article on How to Act on God’s Word.
I hope these simple 4 steps have helped you to step further into the transformation you’re seeking and desiring in your life.
We serve an amazing God, and the best way to truly experience the freedom and peace He offers us, after receiving His son Jesus Christ into our hearts, is to be an active participant in learning and growing. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’ve been a Christian for many years, yet are still finding areas you need to grow, expand and mature.
Life is an incredible journey that doesn’t end when we die — it actually gets better as we move into eternal life with God in Heaven! But God understands our spiritual maturity is a process, and desires to have us be a part of His divine plan for our lives and in the world.
Blessings to you,
~Dr. Melody
P.S. Would love to connect further with you on social media and/or via email. Feel free to contact me with any questions or prayer requests. Comment below, or message me through Facebook, Instagram or email me @ melody@fitplusfaith.com
P.P.S. Here are some other articles I’ve written that might also help you on this topic:
When God is at work and you feel CRAZY! (You’re not alone)
When Lack of Gratitude is stealing your Joy — and how to get it back!
God is working all around us — 3 questions to ask if it seems like He’s not there
