This first phase is when a person says, “I have to do something now!” Researchers say two transitions bring about the critical moment of action: (1) the transition from self-delusion to self-honesty, and (2) the transition from depending on others to independence. When the critical decision is made, change begins to take place primarily in the brain tissue-not the fat tissue.

For me, the critical moment of action was the point when I knew my answer to permanent victory required getting God actively involved in my weight loss. Fighting this battle in my own ability had gotten me nowhere!

When we attempt to overcome problems in our own strength, or in our flesh­ through fad diets, pills, excessive exercise, bulimia, etc.-we don’t give God anything to work with. The Bible says in James 4:7 that we are to “submit [ourselves] therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from [us].” I had been trying to resist the devil­ and temptation-without being submitted to God’s Word. God wanted to help me, but He couldn’t because I wasn’t playing by the rules that ensure victory-His rules.

A crucial point in winning any battle is to understand how to wage a good warfare. Scripture says that “though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). Being overweight, overeating and leading a sedentary lifestyle are strongholds in the flesh.

Galatians 6:8 tells us, “He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” That word corruption in this scripture means “a worsened state.” When I was sowing to the flesh, I was reaping a worsened state. But when I lined up my desires with God’s desire for me and began sowing to the spirit, God became actively involved in my weight loss. I began sowing to the spirit by digging into God’s Word and using my faith. Praying and having fellowship with the Lord was something I looked forward to every day. As I submitted everything to Him, He began to reveal His Word to me in a way that gave me complete victory. I began to present my body “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

My goal in life was no longer to be thin. God’s goal for my life became my goal, and that goal is: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29, New American Standard).

As a Christian, “The Critical Moment” of decision not only involves recognizing that we must change in the natural, but it also involves recognizing our way to permanent and lasting success is through God. He has given us the spiritual tools we need to win the battle. We need only understand and apply them.  Next time, we’ll discuss Phase 2, Small Steps and Recognition of What Works.