SPEAKER_01: 0:01

Hi, and welcome to our podcast, Revelation Within on the Go! I'm Heidi Miles Maheverson, one of your hosts, and the owner and lead coach of RevelationWithin.org industry.

SPEAKER_00: 0:14

And I'm Christina Molly, your other host, also a Revelation Within Coach. And I'm partnering at all things Revelation Within. And we are so happy to invite you to come and join us for another very special episode of Revelation Within. Once again we are together. Together in Colorado on my porch. My little office. And I'm just loving having Heidi here. Me too. It's going to be wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

SPEAKER_01: 0:54

Yay. Well, today we're gonna lean. We're gonna lean. Lean in. We need to lean into God for this one. And we're also gonna talk about something that a lot of our community members and those who listen to our podcast and those who are familiar with Thin Within as well wrestle with. Yeah. Especially right now. There are so many new weight loss options being marketed everywhere with the key emphasis on the word marketed. Yes.

SPEAKER_00: 1:26

And so let's talk about it.

SPEAKER_01: 1:28

Yeah, let's do. Let's talk. Let's hit it on the head. Let's hit it on the head. We're not afraid.

SPEAKER_00: 1:34

We're not afraid. No, definitely not. Definitely not. Okay, so GLP1 medications like Zeppan, Wagovi, Um, Ozempic, weight loss surgeries, intermittent fasting apps, 30-day programs. I could go for days talking about all the things that are out there. Right. All the diet plans, all the things. All the things. All the things. It's a lot. Yes. And it's a lot coming at us all the time. All the time. Especially in social media. Yeah. Everywhere, really. It's everywhere right now. And we are absolutely not here to bash any kind of tool. Yeah. Because that's what they all are. They're tools. They're tools, yes. What we're here to do is to gently ask what's behind our use of them. And even more importantly, have we invited God into the process?

SPEAKER_01: 2:33

Really good question. Yeah. And so we want to say right up front, and we mentioned this last week on our podcast as well, a revelation within. We do not teach, we do not believe that dieting, taking GLP1 meds, or even having a weight loss surgery is by definition a sin. Absolutely not. And we found that a lot of people want to know what we think about those things.

SPEAKER_00: 2:59

And so just as clearly, we want to say we do not believe that not doing those things somehow puts you on a higher spiritual plane. No way. No way. And I'll just kind of say it again. I kind of said this in our last podcast. We are all on different journeys. And we all have different challenges with our bodies and our health and also emotional challenges, challenges from the past, challenges that you're in right now. We are all on our own journey. And we want to validate that. What you're doing, what you're feeling, what you're struggling with is very real, very important, and valid. And so we just want to put that out there. We are not anyone on a spiritual higher plane by doing A, B, or C. Or not doing X, Y, or Z.

SPEAKER_01: 3:50

Exactly, exactly. But here's the heartbeat. And I think this has to always come to the surface. This is the cream that rises to the top. Yes. Have we asked God what his thoughts are?

unknown: 4:04

Right.

SPEAKER_01: 4:04

Have we paused? Have we stopped long enough? I know this is not something that comes naturally to most of us, but have we stopped long enough and said, Lord, are you in this with me? If we don't want to ask him, maybe we don't even want to hear his thoughts. Right. And that may be a red flag. And it may point to something deeper in the heart that he wants to heal. We want to ask him, what are your thoughts about this God? Yes. Because he knows us perfectly and intimately.

SPEAKER_00: 4:34

Well, and I'll just throw in if you're at a place where you feel very unsettled, where you feel very not at peace, the opposite at peace, you know, this is the perfect time to take it to the Lord. Yes. Say, Lord, I don't know. I'm not sure. I'm being inundated by information. I'm confused. I want to go to the God of all knowledge and the God of all comfort. And that's where I want to be with these questions. Many of us need healing in a lot of different ways.

SPEAKER_01: 5:04

Oh, yes.

SPEAKER_00: 5:05

Physical and emotional, spiritual. So that's our theme for today. Bringing it all to God. No more hiding. Nope. Nope. No more hiding. No more hustling. No more white knuckling it. No. No. But instead asking, listening, trusting.

SPEAKER_01: 5:27

Oh, that sounds much better to me than hiding. Because. Oh, well, let's just name some of the things that are out there right now. Okay. There is a$70 plus billion dollar dieting industry in the US alone. Wow. Can you believe that? And that's billion with a B. You heard me right. Yeah. And it keeps growing. Why? Why does it keep growing? Because the long-term effectiveness of diets is incredibly low. That's just a fact. You can find statistics that are on the internet all over the place. Most studies show 80 to 95% of people regain the weight when they've dieted to lose it. Now, I used to find statistics like this so discouraging. I'm like, what's a girl to do? Exactly. Oh, I got this. So we're going to address that today.

SPEAKER_00: 6:18

Well, and many of you who are here today with us have been struggling with this for 20, 30, 40, 50 years, you know, and Heidi and I have spent many years struggling as well. Um, and so we get that. We understand that frustration and hopelessness.

SPEAKER_01: 6:35

Yes.

SPEAKER_00: 6:36

We get that.

SPEAKER_01: 6:37

We do.

SPEAKER_00: 6:37

Um, GLP1 medications like Zeppound or Ragovi can help with weight loss.

SPEAKER_01: 6:42

That's true too.

SPEAKER_00: 6:43

Yeah. Studies show 10 to 17% total body weight loss over time. Right. That sounds so good. Why wouldn't I want to do it? Yeah. Well, and it's very new. It's very kind of this new, exciting thing. But many people regain once they stop taking them. And there are side effects to consider.

SPEAKER_01: 7:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 7:04

Nausea, digestive issues, even risks like pancreatitis for some.

SPEAKER_01: 7:09

Oh boy. That's tough. Have you ever seen those ads on TV that say this is this great medication you could take and it will make you feel this and this and this and then at the very end of the day, including death. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 7:20

Well, they always show like kids playing in the playground, everything it's sunshine, everything's good. Everything's good. And then, but there's always that little side effects.

SPEAKER_01: 7:30

Well, and that's some of them aren't so little. No, that's true. And the thing about some of these things is they are so new for weight loss purposes that nobody really knows the long-term side effects. Nobody knows. So, okay, so what about some of the surgeries that are possible to help with the weight loss? Bariatric surgeries, some people do lap-bound. There's all kinds of options now. Yeah. Of course, some people experience profound results with that. Up to 30% of their body weight lost. But here's the thing: again, as much as it may sound like it, to those of us who have never tried that, but want to think about it, it's not a quick fix. It requires huge lifestyle changes. And sometimes it, and I know somebody who this happened to. She was always sick. She lost a ton of weight, looked fine and like a quote normal person, maybe, but she had all kinds of nutrient deficiencies that were causing her one illness after the other. She was always, she was chronically sick. And it means lifelong adjustments for many of these people. So we want to go in with eyes wide open, but again, we want to invite God into that.

SPEAKER_00: 8:43

Yeah, definitely. And for some, it is the right choice in certain seasons of life. Absolutely. Okay, so here's the takeaway: none of these tools are magical, they all require decisions, motivations, sacrifices, and they all come with their own risks and stories. That's why it's so critical that we bring the whole thing to the Lord.

SPEAKER_01: 9:07

Yeah, and what does God care about? Um, we referred to this passage in last week's podcast, but it's worthy of mentioning again. In Matthew 6, 33, Jesus Himself said, Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. I love hearing Jesus' own words. They're in red in your Bible, if you have that kind of a Bible. Um, anyway, because to me, seeking him first doesn't just mean God is the first on my schedule, and then I run after everything else all day long. It's he saturates everything as preeminent as the my sovereign king and lord throughout my day.

SPEAKER_00: 9:50

Right.

SPEAKER_01: 9:51

Every waking moment.

SPEAKER_00: 9:52

Not just, Lord, I made this decision, will you bless it, please?

SPEAKER_01: 9:56

Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_00: 9:58

Yeah, so what does seek first look like when we're thinking about our bodies?

SPEAKER_01: 10:04

And who isn't thinking about their bodies? I mean, really, many of us think nonstop about our bodies, about how do I look today, or how can I hide better, or any number of things sad to say. Maybe seeking God first looks like pausing long enough to say, Jesus, this desire I have, where is it coming from? Is it fear, Lord? Is it shame? Is it comparison? And then maybe it to go a little further. I could ask, what would your kingdom, seeking your kingdom, look like in this area of my life?

SPEAKER_00: 10:44

Yes, because Jesus didn't go to the cross to help us lose weight. He did. Oh, he gave his life for the joy set before him, and that's in Hebrews 12, too. The joy of relationship with us. That's what matters the most to him. Why don't you just love him so deeply? He loves us so deeply. Of course, he cares about everything that we care about. Um, I mean, he just wants us, he just wants relationship with us, deep, loving, intimate, intimate relationship with us. That's what he wants.

SPEAKER_01: 11:23

And of course, we're gonna tell you again what Romans 12, 2 says, because it is a cornerstone verse for us. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then catch this. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is. Yes, his good, pleasing, and perfect will. Ah, I love it.

SPEAKER_00: 11:49

God's will for us includes freedom. Yes, and joy, yes, and peace, yes, not striving. He may lead some to take medications, he may not, but he always wants intimacy with us, not performance.

SPEAKER_01: 12:06

Oh goodness. You know, sometimes we end up thinking things like that my body issue is just way too big. Nothing's gonna help. I've tried it all. Therapy, I've tried hypnosis, some people have tried hypnosis, nutritionists, yeah, exactly. But Ephesians 3.20 tells us, and again, that's Ephesians 3.20. I love Ephesians, but this is a beautiful verse. Yes, God is able to do, I mean, we could do a scripture-focus, word-focus on this right now. God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according, according to what? According to his power, yes, that is at work. Where is it at work?

unknown: 12:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 12:55

Within us. Oh, wow, I'm gonna say that again. Okay. God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

SPEAKER_00: 13:07

Ooh. Yes, and Philippians 4.13 says, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Again, the focus is on him and what he can do. He knows what we need.

SPEAKER_01: 13:23

Right.

SPEAKER_00: 13:23

We don't. Most of the time we are clueless. No, we're like, well, what about this? Well, I'll try this. Well, I'm gonna run here and go to the left and then run to the right and go here. And we don't really know, but God does. He knows, and he wants to have a conversation with us about it.

SPEAKER_01: 13:41

I love that. And of course, that means this issue, even this struggle that seems never-ending, all-encompassing with eating or my body image, it's not beyond his power. It's not off limits to his healing. He that doesn't have a barbed wire fence or razor wire around it saying God can't come in here unless we put that up. Exactly. That's yeah, we've got to invite him into the process, not just bolt ahead with what feels like the most urgent option. And we want to be really clear again about this. Even if you have chosen a particular tool, a diet, a medication, even surgery, you are still called and still invited to renew your mind. Yeah. Mindonil is not plan B. No, it's not optional. Romans 12, 2 doesn't say be transformed by the perfect eating plan or by a surgery. It says be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So no matter what else is involved in your particular uh choice on your journey, renewing the mind is vital. And it's life-giving, yes. Whether you're eating by an external structure, diet, in other words, or practicing spirit-led eating, which is what we encourage people to do, God still wants to meet you. He wants to reshape your thoughts and transform your desires.

SPEAKER_00: 15:09

Yeah. And you know what's really cool and amazing is that where we do have confusion, further on in Romans 12, 2, verse 2, we read, what follows the mind renewal is transformation. But also we are promised. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will. He doesn't want to hide his will from us, he wants to talk with us about it. He wants to give us the right information, and he wants us to experience freedom.

SPEAKER_01: 15:44

And I just want to say that if you are struggling with maybe your doctors even said you should really try this medication or that procedure. Invite God into this. He says you will know his will, and that his will is good, pleasing, and perfect. And so renew your mind, experience the transformation that he promises and the knowledge of his good, pleasing, and perfect will. You're inviting him in. Oh, he doesn't want to play, you know, that that what is that game? The shell game where there's a ball under one of it. You're trying to see God's will is underneath the coconut and there's other coconuts, he's moving it around. He's not like that at all.

SPEAKER_00: 16:22

He's not. He just has so much love for us. Right. So, and for those of you who might be curious about what we teach here at Revelation Within, it's something we call the five intentions of spirit-led eating. It's not a diet, it's not a program, it's a posture of the heart that seeks to follow the Holy Spirit in our eating from the first hunger cue to the peaceful place of just enough. But again, we share this to support you, not to box you in. What we do here at Revelation Within is life-giving. Yes, it will lift you up, it will focus on the Lord and how he sees us, all of those good things. So, you know, not to box you in, but to bring life to your life.

SPEAKER_01: 17:09

Yeah, definitely.

SPEAKER_00: 17:11

God leads us in different ways at different times. And everyone is welcome at Revelation. Everyone is welcome. The real question is: am I inviting him into the process and aligning my thoughts with his? Right. So whether you're considering a diet, a medication, a surgery, or something else, or you're tempted to just give up altogether, we would just love to encourage you to ask these questions. Number one, what is motivating me right now?

SPEAKER_01: 17:45

Let's just pause for a moment in between these. Sure. And give them a chance, the listener, a chance to think, what is motivating you right now? There's all kinds of options. It could be the insults from your mother-in-law. I mean, it was pain, physical pain. There you go. It could be any number, it could be that cruise that you hope to go on and want to swim in a swimming suit without feeling uh embarrassed. All of those things could be motivation, it could be change. Yeah, exactly. I mean, so think about that for just a moment. What is motivating me right now? Maybe ask the Lord to show you. God, what is motivating me right now?

SPEAKER_00: 18:26

Okay. And then number two, have I genuinely brought this to the Lord in prayer? Probably not just once. Right. Lots and lots of times. Am I bringing this to the Lord when those feelings of confusion and unsettledness and worry and when all of that comes up? Anxiety, have I brought this to the Lord again and again? And number three, am I chasing an outcome or am I trusting the process? Am I chasing an outcome or am I trusting the process?

SPEAKER_01: 19:07

You know, for all the many years that I've been involved in this kind of spirit-led intentional eating, which we called Finn Within before, of course, I have heard so many people struggle with not having an instant result. You know, maybe they've even been on crash diets before and saw a ton of weight leave right away and only to come back later. And so slowing down and eating when they're hungry and waiting until they're hungry to eat and then stopping it just enough, leaning into the Holy Spirit, asking him for the strength they need to move on instead of stopping in the kitchen when they're not hungry, etc. It is hard. It's hard to wait. It's a process. It is. And ask God when you struggle with that, if that's the approach you're taking, Lord, am I to move on to something else? Or is this what you've invited me to for these months or these years or for the rest of my life, maybe? Um, ask him.

SPEAKER_00: 20:12

And then number four, do I believe that God can be glorified in this area of my life? No matter what tool I use or don't use. That's a good question. It is, it is indeed. Okay, number five, am I measuring my value, my worth by how I look, or by how deeply I am loved by Jesus?

SPEAKER_01: 20:38

Am I measuring my value by how I look, by how deeply I am loved by Jesus? I know when I have been struggling a lot, I go into my closet and grab something that I have worn previously, and if it's a little tight, it's almost like an accusation. It's like I can sense the enemy himself saying, See, you don't love God like you claim. I mean, it's lies, it's lies, but it's just, oh my goodness. So that is one of the ways that this question kind of showed up in my life. I was measuring my value by being able to fit into my clothes or not, right? Which isn't the way God measures my value. I am deeply loved by Jesus, as are you. Yes. There's no shame, there's just invitation. Um, we can bring all of these things, these challenges, these questions, these things that cause us so much turmoil to him. He wants us to pour it out to him. He already knows, so we might as well invite him in. I remember you telling the story about the way the scale seemed to own you. Oh, yeah. And it was it causing you turmoil.

SPEAKER_00: 21:51

And so, what did you do with that? I brought the scale physically to the Lord during my quiet time. It was a very uh very private moment, so I think that I did like really late at night when everybody was in bed. But I actually picked up the scale and brought it to God. I love it because I was so mastered by it, and I really did feel like my worth, my value, I was so confused and so tortured by this whole weight issue thing. Yeah, and like you said, the clothes in the closet that are too tight and don't fit me right anymore. And the other thing about this is that I've had so many seasons in my life of this where it has changed because of getting pregnant, having babies, because of health problems. I'm in a health thing right now with breast cancer where I am eating very differently than I ate before. And there's just all kinds of ways that that changes. What doesn't change though is that I know how to renew my mind. And I use that now, I use mind renewal no matter what's happening with my body. And listening to my body, listening to what my body needs, as you said, waiting for hunger and then stopping it just enough. But those are tools that you can use no matter what you're going through, as long as God is in charge. The minute I go to him, those anxious thoughts melt away. I love that. Because I know that his peace is what I what I want. And I'm in process. I'm gonna be in process until I step into heaven. We all are, right?

SPEAKER_01: 23:30

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00: 23:31

God is constantly teaching me and you know, there's not a one and done, right? But embracing I'm in process. And you know what? I love this process now because it draws me into God's own heart. And I know it does you as well.

SPEAKER_01: 23:47

Oh, yeah, absolutely it does.

SPEAKER_00: 23:49

Okay. So we'll go ahead and end with this breath prayer. Um, we're gonna inhale and say, God, you know my heart. And we're gonna exhale and say, and I trust your thoughts over mine. And remember, a breath prayer is just so simple. It's just breathing, deep breathing, and adding in God's truth so that we're renewing our minds at the same time as calming our bodies. And it's just a beautiful way to renew your mind. You can choose any truth that lines up with scripture and make your own breath prayers. Um so let's go ahead and inhale. God, you know my heart. God, you know my heart. Exhale. And I trust your thoughts over mine. And one more time, inhale. God, you know my heart. Exhale. And I trust your thoughts over mine.

SPEAKER_01: 24:57

Over mine. That's a good one. Yes. Friends, whether you've chosen to use a tool or you're considering one, you might be right now considering one. Maybe you felt conflicted. Um, we just want to say you're not alone. You are not alone. Right. God is with you. We are too. We'd be glad to talk with you about these things if you want to. Christina's available for one-on-one coaching, and she coaches people who have tried all kinds of tools, all kinds of tools.

SPEAKER_00: 25:32

I'm in it with you. I'm in it with you. Yes. We're not here to hand out formulas, even though maybe that's what you want. Oh, I know. Sorry about that. We understand. But we're here to keep pointing you to Jesus again and again and again and again and again. That's who this ministry is about. Right. And if you want to talk more about this one-on-one, I'd love to meet with you. Yay! I've walked with many women through decisions just like this.

SPEAKER_01: 26:03

Until next time, let your questions draw you closer to him and let every decision be one made in light of his goodness, not guilt or condemnation.

SPEAKER_00: 26:14

Yes.

SPEAKER_01: 26:14

He sees you, he loves you, and he leads you.

SPEAKER_00: 26:20

So we are so glad that you've been here today with us. So glad. And we sure would love to invite you to our next podcast episode of Revelation Within.