(A Biblical Perspective
by Al Thomas)
ATKINS NEVER HEARD
OF THIS. THE LA DIET PLAN CAN ONLY DREAM. Richard Simmons doesn't
even come close to this one.
When your spiritual life needs a boost
or you find yourself in a funk (again) this is the plan for you. When
drunk with
carnality or you simply don't know which way to turn, you need to mainline
on gratitude until you begin to sober up. Thanksgiving isn't a once a
year holiday
for the believer, but a lifestyle. Start this diet and see results before
you can say: Humbug!
BREAKFAST: Begin with a generous portion of gratitude to God (COL. 3:17;
EPH. 5:20). Some grind through life, only thankful when all is well,
not living
the thank-filled life by faith. Thanking God is easily done once you
remind yourself
that God is in control of everything in your life (ISAIAH 45:7). Knowing
that God is thinking good thoughts about you at this very moment also
helps: "For
I know the thoughts I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and
a hope," (JER. 29:11). During this diet you may be tempted to question God's
goodness before you begin to give Him thanks. This is not scriptural. The devil
will
say, "Why be thankful? Look around you. Things are not so perfect, are they?" This
is where some (right at the beginning) fail. The Spirited filled life
is a life of thankfulness regardless of your condition in life. Whether
they
are
little
problems or big things do not let them get in your way of thanking God.
Remember, start thanking God for who He is (not for anything He has done
or may do
in your life). After you have done this, thank Him for His unending love
and mercy
extended
to you (PSALM 106:1). Thank Him that you are saved. Contrary to what
some might think there is nothing wrong with forcing yourself to thank
Him.
You are simply
obeying God's Word (HEBREWS 13:15). Praise and thankfulness is often
a sacrifice. The feelings will catch up later. The devil wants you to
wallow
like a pig
in the filth of ungratefulness. Don't be like the ungrateful nine lepers
who never
came back to thank Jesus for their healing. Jesus took note of it (LUKE
17:12-17). Paul said, in the last days many people would become unthankful
(2 TIM. 3:2).
Thank Him for everything in your life (1 THESS. 5:18). They say breakfast
is the most important meal of the day, so also declare His lovingkindness
and
faithfulness (PSALM 92:2). Your day will go better.
LUNCH: Even if you
have to skip the earthly
food to do it, find a quiet place and start thanking God again for His
love and His everlasting arms that are holding you at that moment (DEU.
33:27).
Notice
on this diet there is no room for griping and complaining. Murmuring
is strictly forbidden. It only adds ugly flesh bumps all over. Be careful
not to partake
of
any carnal food, like: deceitfulness (PROVERBS 23:2-3), gossiping, idle
talk, etc. That stuff tastes like ashes (ISA. 44:20). It's unsatisfying,
extremely
perishable
(JOHN 6:27) and His presence will vanish immediately. If you fall prey
to any of the latter, quickly repent and simply begin again (1 JOHN 1:9).
Warning,
if you put off repenting, you may be forced to eat husks (usually reserved
for swine,
see
LUKE 15). As soon as you do repent, accept God's forgiveness. That uncomfortable
bloating, guilty feeling will subside. Then, take a bite of the Bread
of
life
(JOHN 6:48) again allowing a grateful heart to overflow with thanksgiving
for His mercy. If you get tired or start to get repetitious simply read
His Word
(COL. 3:15) or meditate on His goodness (EX.34:6; PSALM 31:19). After
a few short days of this you will notice heaven smiling at you and hell
cringing.
It's a
wonderful feeling. That thing 'joy' will also return.
DINNER: Often, by the end
of the day, (after facing a grumpy boss or beating yourself up over not
being as 'spiritual' as you think you should have been) you may be in
the valley
I call, "Just
leave me alone will ya?" You must not, no matter how you feel, allow your
day to turn you into a fleshly carnal butterball, plumb and juicy, fat and sassy,
not giving thanks to God "simply because you don't feel like it." This
is a crucial time. Once again give God thanks. You can't do this enough (PSALM
92:1). Jesus didn't feel like going to the cross, He just did it (MARK 14:36).
As you stay on the thankful diet you will begin to see your behavior change.
Whereas
in the past you had difficulty controlling that ugly flesh, you will start to
notice yourself actually being patient with people who used to drive you crazy.
With unbelievers, your speech will be filled with grace and seasoned with salt
(COL. 4:5-6). And, you will once again like yourself. After a few short days
of
disciplined thankfulness you will notice a change in your spiritual sensitivity.
Once again you can hear His voice (JOHN 10:4). No longer touchy and irritable,
your family breathes a sigh of relief. Be careful though. Keep a look out for
that attitude of ungratefulness. It's easy to spot. It's is always tempting you
to eat the fruit of whining and whimpering, telling people they are not moving
quickly enough. This fruit looks good and tastes good, temporally (HEBREWS 11:25),
but once it hits inside it will turn your stomach and others. The diet of constant
thankfulness is a proven Biblical principle that will bring peace (see Philippians
4:4 & 9), joy and contentment. Start thanking Him now.
