When You Go To Battle

"It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem."
2 Samuel 11:1

Never before have I thought about the infidelity of David with Bathsheba being related to my weight loss journey.  Yet there is a distinct lesson here for us and weight loss.
Embrace this revelation with me. David was supposed to be on the battlefield when he fell into temptation and committed adultery with Bathsheba.  He was not even supposed to be around the rooftop where she was bathing.  Do you see that?  
Our struggles with weight and eating are often because we have chosen to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time, doing the wrong thing.  This is what precedes our downfall, not the temptation of food itself.  Friend, your temptation never started in the drive thru when you overheard the friendly voice through the speaker,
"Welcome to Mc Donald's, can I take your order please?"  
It started with a morning of stress, things not going your way, a messy house, and dreary weather, yada, yada, yada, yada.  All which led to thoughts of,
"I don't feel like fighting this battle today."
 Followed up by suddenly finding yourself in a fast-food drive thru.
The temptation didn't start at the Christmas party, it started with the thoughts of,
"There is going to be so much food there, I don't feel like fighting this battle today."  
Followed up by an evening spent standing at the buffet table, nibbling and snacking your way through the entire party.
And the temptation didn't start when you pulled the cookie dough and icing out of the fridge to bake cookies with the family.  It started with thoughts in your head saying,
"I can never say no to cookie dough.  I always lick the spoon, and
I just don't feel like fighting this battle today."
 (I'll let you fill in the blanks about what followed those thoughts.)
You cannot stay off the battle field, and win in weight loss.  It will take a fight.  But the Lord has promised to go before you and fight your battles.  He will not come and join you in your pit of sin though.  Remember that.  If you choose the gluttony over Jesus, you will have to fight alone and deal with the consequences.  
Living healthy is an act of obedience, and it takes work. But blessings ALWAYS follow obedience.   Sometimes we feel too weak to overcome our temptations.  
That's because we are choosing to stay stuck in our temptations.  
The power of God comes to us when we are acting out our obedience.  I love this quote from Era Taft Benson,
"When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power."  
Your power comes when you choose to fight.  No, it is not fleshly power, it is supernatural.  But you cannot access the supernatural power of God unless you choose to fight.  
Let today be the day you choose to fight.  Don't allow yourself to stay back and get distracted.  When you go to battle, YOU WIN!

Let's Pray.
Dear God,
I want to fight.  I have found myself getting distracted and frustrated.  I give up before I even get started.  I know that I must fight to win.  Help me to go to battle today, realizing that You go before me, and fight for me.  Help me to prepare for the battles I will face in prayer and praise, and expect victory.  I will always give You the glory, honor and praise.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen

E4M DAILY STRATEGY
When You Go To Battle
The following scriptures are a constant reminder that God is fighting for you.  On the lines below, share what each verse is telling you about your battle with your weight!

"You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord, your God who fights for you."  
Deuteronomy 3:22

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"For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory."  
Deuteronomy 20:4

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"You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
2 Chronicles 20:17

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"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”  
Exodus 14:14

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