Hey party Sunday peeps! Are you ready for another installment of Sunday Reflections?
I am. So here goes.
This week was HYOOGE for me. If you remember the first week of Sunday reflections, I talked about my obsession with calorie counting and body image. Well, I am happy to say, that this past week was my first week in over 3 YEARS that I did not count my calories.
Like at all.
And you know what? I FELT SO FREE. I had more space to listen to the sermons, and to recall bits and pieces of them throughout the day. I listened to a really good one that gave me some nuggets that I found helpful during my “scary moments” of not counting calories through the week.
Sermon: Slaves to sons, doomed to daughters via The Village Church
General synopsis: Basically how we have become slaves to the things of this world so much so that we have turned them into our identity.
What I learned: This sermon was MAJOR for me, as it totally clicked a light on in my brain. For the past years that I have had food issues, I have wondered why I can’t kick them. I have been praying and praying and asking God to take them, but it never happens. I realized that I have completely turned “Taylor with a food obsession” into my identity, let it define me, and I really don’t know what I would be without it. Would I still be loved, valued accepted etc, if I didn’t have this CRAZY strong will power and determination to always be ”perfect?” For so long, I always thought the answer was “NOPE!” But, then the sermon said that our identity has to lie in God, and then we will ALWAYS be valued, loved and accepted no matter what. Maybe this is really, really, really basic knowledge to you, but it’s just something that never really hit me. It really helped me as I went throughout the week and was like OH MY GOSH I ATE AN EXTRA BITE OF XYZ, WHAT WILL IT DO TO ME? HOW MANY CALORIES IS IT? I would counteract it with, why does it matter? Calories aren’t my identity, God is. He’ll think I’m cool even if I eat an extra 20 calories today.
Another note the pastor mentioned was that “Once you truly KNOW God, a relationship with him won’t be the ‘ideal’ you.” I have always felt this way about myself; I WISH I had this super all-consuming awesome relationship with God, that would make finding my identity in Him easier. But, truth be told, I really haven’t placed enough time and effort into getting to know him. If I did, I would completely want to be in that awesome, all-consuming relationship naturally, without having to work so hard to achieve it.
Well, that’s it for today. Until next week!
Matea says
Congratulations,Taylor! I’m so glad you reached your goal! 🙂
I can relate to not putting enough time and effort into getting to know God as He truly is and yet still wondering why I’m not getting closer to Him. I definitely need to start putting more time and effort into getting to know Him.
Just wondering– where do you find the sermons you listen to during the week? Is there a certain website or do you just google them? (oh google, what would we do without you? haha 🙂 )
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much Matea. And I am glad I am not the only one who struggles with this! We can do it…and a new, amazing relationship with the Lord is so worth a little extra effort!
So the sermons I listen to are actually from churches that I have been too. I just have them automatically download their new podcasts to my Ipad, and then I play them while I get ready!
Happy Sunday!
molly rose says
yay! Congrats to you Taylor. 3 years is a long time to be doing such an exhausting thing like that, and like you said, so what? does it really matter you ate an extra piece/slice/bite? in the long run, not at all. I’m really proud of you. Lately, I have gotten really into nutrition and I am learning all sorts of scary things I’ve been putting in my body, so for a while I did count certain things. But now that I know the gist of good foods/bad foods I stopped counting. But I can see how it can easily become addictive! stay strong girlfriend, and as always, thanks for sharing your thoughts from the week 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much for being so encouraging!! You’re right, it has been SO exhausting and for no reason really!
That is so great that you were able to just turn off counting, seriously! That is amazing!
Thanks again for the sweet words, support and for reading Molly Rose!
Stephanie @ Back for Seconds says
I think everyone can relate to becoming a slave to something…thanks for sharing your victory this week!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks for reading my friend!
Katharine says
I went through a period of “calorie count obsession” a few years after I lost 30+ pounds. I had put some weight back on, and I was so upset that I went through an extreme phase where I only ate chicken breast and veggies and eating a 30 calorie Twizzler would make me cry and feel so terrible about myself. I got down to the weigh where I “wanted” to be, but I was so incredibly miserable with how I felt that I was pushing away my husband, friends, and family.
God has been such a comfort to me in the last couple of years. I am at least 20 pounds heavier than I was then, but I am finally beginning to be comfortable in my own skin. God loves me no matter my weight, and He would rather have me be heavier and striving to be more like Jesus than my “ideal” weight and idolizing myself and calories.
Thank you for sharing your story throughout your blogging. I pray that your journey continues to pull you more towards an identity in Christ and away from the slavery of worldly things!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much for the prayers Katharine! SO great that you are finally learning to be comfortable just as you are! I love “He would rather have me be heavier and striving to be more like Jesus than my “ideal” weight and idolizing myself and calories.” SUCH true words! Happy Sunday!
[email protected] says
I love these posts Taylor! So inspiring! I’m so proud of you for reaching your goal and putting your faith in God to do it! I am also trying to find how to have a closer relationship with Him through the craziness in life and your words are so encouraging!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much for the kind words Tori! And I am SO SO glad that you enjoy the posts! 😀 Happy Sunday chica!
Sonja @ practical-stewardship.com says
Praise the Lord for this break through, Taylor. Sounds like it’s great self-accountitbilty you writing weekly on what you are learning!
Taylor Kiser says
It TOTALLY is such great self-accountability! Thank you Sonja! 😀
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
Girl, I am so proud of you!!! What a great week for you and a freeing moment. I know God has a great road planned for you, it doesn’t have to do with what your body looks like. More what type of wife/daughter/sister/friend you are! You have been a great friend to me and you have helped me greatly!
This past week I realized life is so much better when I don’t overly stress about it. As perfectionist it can be hard to let go, but it has been so much freeing! I have been more creative and so much happier!
Love this post so so so much! And have a great rest of the week and lots of yummy (calorie free counting) treats 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much Meg!! SO happy that you have come to that realization! I LUHVE you! <3
Tammy says
Thank you so much for sharing your heart on this…I, too, struggle with similar food issues, and I am striving to put God first before food obsession…your message encourages me and inspires me that not only do others share in my similar struggles, but through His power and strength, we can and will overcome these struggles! Praying for you!
Taylor Kiser says
YES! There are definitely others who struggle, like me! Thank you so much for the prayers and I am glad you got some encouragement! If you even need to chat, drop me an email!! 😀