P31W: Extra Pounds - A Deeper Meaning?

This post might seem mean. But hey, I can't argue! It's in the Bible! I am constantly amazed by what the Proverbs 31 Woman is noted for. Every thing about her was noble and pure that even little things, like strength are mentioned!

Strength. 

I don't know about you all, but a lot of times I don't feel very strong (in any of the "allies"). For a physical example, at work, I cannot lift the tea thing! We make sweet tea in this BIG tub, and then we have to lift it over our heads to pour it in the vats. Well, all the girls are pros. But when I try, I shake really bad and it splashes EVERYWHERE! I poured it all down me, the drive-through counter, and the cups and....it was embarrassing. They all laughed (good natured-ly)! One girl said, "Girl, we have to toughen you up!"

Shes right. I'm not very tough.

Listen to this verse:

 31:17 "She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

Discipline. Oh no...the dreaded word. Yes, I think this all boils down to discipline! If we are letting the condition of our bodies slip do you think God is pleased? No. I don't. Not because He wants us to be body builders, but because He wants us to be disciplined. In this verse Paul is talking to the Corinthians about sexual immorality, but I think we can apply it to every area of our lives.

1 Corinthians 6:12 "Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything."

When we lay around and let our laziness and fatigue control us, I just can't see how God can be pleased with that. Now, I understand if people can't be active because of a health complication. But to be honest, I wonder if extra pounds could just be a sign of a lack of discipline. It takes discipline to be fit! Thats whats so hard about it!

Take America as an example. Discipline has declined. People are going nuts just because they have no boundaries and haven't been taught how to train/restrain themselves from things. Now, 1 in three teens are obese. Coincidence? I don't think so.

I'm trying to visualize the P31W. Would she be the type of woman who kinda lazed around and didn't really do much? She had extra pounds from sitting on the couch too long? NO! I think of a woman who works by the sweat of her brow. She has strength in her arms and doesn't have to have a man to help her with every little thing because she doesn't have the strength. This woman is NOT controlled by her eating habits.

The point is not "be skinny and beautiful". But don't be controlled by your body! We need to bring our bodies in submission to ourselves! Do we think we can run a Godly family if we give in to food every time it calls or can't pick up our children because we never toned our muscles?

Not likely.

That being said. Next time you feel that sudden "urge" to eat or skip the work out, don't follow! Not because you are going to get fat, but because its good to say "no" to your body to remind yourself that you are in control of it.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

 A lastly, its good to take care of your body. Its the Lord's. You represent the Creator. So be the artwork He created you to be. Don't let your fitness slide. No, no, no. You don't have to freak out about it or anything. The LAST thing I want to do is put that stress on you. Just make healthy choices.

 Don't let laziness hinder you from being the beautiful, complete woman He created you to be. He created you to not be enslaved to anything (or anyone). So don't be!