To God Be the Glory--Great Things He Hath Done!    "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."  Psalms 126:3  Let me share with you how the Lord has worked in my life recently.

For most of my adult life I have not struggled with a weight problem, not until 11 years ago.   However, I had not stayed consistent in reading the Word on a daily basis and there was leanness in my soul. It began to take its toll.   Eleven  years ago my father-in-law died leaving us with a family business to decide what to do with. My husband took early retirement and I finished out a years' obligation at my job. Together with his 77 year old mother and our youngest daughter we ran the business. We
remodeled somewhat to include a food service. This type of work was stressful, labor intensive and boring at times. I turned to food for comfort, not realizing at that time I was doing that.   As a result I became heavier than I ever have been in all my adult life. Physical problems developed. My cholesterol was getting in the danger zone. The doctor recommended I watch my diet--that didn't work (I was doing this for the wrong reason and my focus wasn't right). My clothes didn't fit--I went to an aerobics class and that didn't help either (again the focus wasn't right).  In 1998 our daughter got married and we chose to close the
business and lease the building. I enrolled in a Bible study/weight loss program and lost 30 lbs., only to gain it back when the Bible study was over. I quit feeding my soul. The health problems returned with the added weight, only were much worse. I still had the high cholesterol along with high blood pressure and heart problems. Dr. Richard Dobbins said, "Unless the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of change....people will remain the same."

Something had to be done.  About that time I discovered the internet course called The Lord's Table,  so enrolled. I began feasting in God's Word. A verse that I quote at the bottom of my e-mails is Psalms 37:4"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."  God's Word brought conviction about my overeating.  The Bible calls it gluttony.  The Lord gave me the desire to please Him as I continued feasting in the Word.   I Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."  The Lord freed me  from my bondage to food as I studied these
lessons and applied the Scriptures, applied the principles of discipline, I became free. My soul was nourished and as it became fatter and my body started to get thinner. By the end of the TLT course I lost only 11 of the 15 lbs. I had wanted to lose. During the time of going through the mentor course my weight continued to drop. I reset my goal and by Jan., 2003 it
was reached. Total weight lost is 46 lbs.--praise, honor and glory go to the Lord.  He has made me glad--I'm rejoicing as a freed slave would rejoice. The Lord has given me the desire  to tell those sitting behind the prison walls that their freedom has been paid for. Freedom from overeating is wonderful! Am I still tempted--yes, but with the help and strength from the Lord there's victory.  The Lord is my shield and defender in this battle with the flesh.

The ministry of SCF is a blessing to me.  I'm thankful to be a part in helping others find freedom from overeating.

Beverly Stroud