Do you recall the movie “The Perfect Storm?” The scary weather beast in the story grew to its “perfection” because it was the combination of 3 storms that collided into one huge destructive force of nature.
Well, guess what’s in the seasonal forecast for your waistline: three storms all lined up and swirling.
Storm Number One
First, food is everywhere. Why is every celebration built around a collection of calorie nightmares? The Church parties, work parties, food gifts, and extra goodies blow around like a blizzard of powdered sugar and cookie crumbs. You practically need a mask just to keep it from blowing into your mouth.
Storm Number Two
Second, the pace of everything accelerates. Suddenly days fly by like a gale force wind. Who has time to make a salad when you can suck down a cheeseburger in 15 seconds, while driving, talking on the phone, on your way to grocery shopping and finding the right gift for the “special” people on your list?
Storm Number Three
Last but not least, let’s face it, this season is very emotionally demanding. The relentless pace, the pressure of expectations, family dysfunctions, and non-descript weirdness pile up. There you are, cape intact as you volunteer here, take a covered dish there, and play Dear Abby for those who believe you are the only one who has it all together.
By January 1, after the storm passes, and you survey the aftermath, the damage shows up in many places – including your scale and around your waistline.
Just thinking about it makes me want to take shelter in the basement with a box of Butterfingers.
Get thee behind me Satan.
Free Gift: Stop Emotional Eating Today
What’s a Girl to Do?
What can anybody do when it’s just the reality of this season? Worrying about weight doesn’t even fit on the radar screen.
Is your holiday season headed into this storm?
Would you like to dodge it?
First, take back your Christmas. Grab on like you would hold your first born while riding on the subway. Let your protective instincts kick in. While you are holding the notion of Christmas tight, gaze into the eyes of your Savior.
I know, you probably thought I was coming after your food. Not yet.
I just want you to stop and treat yourself to the gift of worshiping the Lord. Take the weight of the world off your shoulders and lay it on the altar. Repeat several times daily.
Treasuring the Real Gift and the Giver
Worshiping God is THE gift that keeps on giving. He will inhabit your praise. Lifting your eyes to God purely because He is God will fill you with awe and wonder. Celebrate Him in this meditation:
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Do you realize that this familiar “Christmas” verse was written about 700 years before Jesus was born? Now 2000 years later, we are still celebrating Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise. This Child became our crucified and risen Savior. We worship the God that brought that to pass, just as He said He would.
Before you do anything else, worship our amazing God. Treat yourself to His Joy from above.
The Savior whose birth we celebrate this season can be celebrated in every moment of every day – through the rise and fall of every emotion. Cherish His gift of grace and give it generously to those who desperately need it. The alternative is to stand in path of the storm.
Worship is the best way I know to prepare for the perfect storm that is heads this way every year. No other clever suggestion I can offer will do any good, unless this is the first thing you do, and then you repeat it so often that people notice and want some of what you are having.
What is your prayer for this Christmas season?