Lesson 9: Washing at the Cross: Freedom From Slavery
Testimony and Question 8
Kara writes, "Before taking the Setting Captives Free Weight Loss courses—Weight Loss Bootcamp and Weight Loss Follow Up— I thought that it was too "simple Sunday school" to say that the answer to all your problems is Jesus. But I've learned and seen the truth now, and I believe it. The power of the cross gives me the right and the ability to live a different life every day.
Well, I can hardly believe this, but I am a completely different person. Even my husband says, "You are completely different than you were a couple of months ago." What a testament to how the gospel can actually change us!
One of the biggest lessons for me was being dead to sin. When Jesus saved me, He gave me the power to stop sinning. I've realized that most of the battle is fought in my mind, in actually believing that He raised me as a brand new person and that I am dead to sin. Yes, sometimes my flesh wins out, but the battle is the Lord's. I'm not striving in my flesh anymore.
I did a Bible study quite a few years ago about overcoming strongholds in Jesus' name. The teacher said that as we break free, living in that freedom often follows this pattern: first, it's difficult, then harder, then easier, then "under my feet." I can testify that the first 30 days were challenging, but I was running on the excitement and adrenaline of the Spirit. Honestly, living in freedom during the follow-up course was harder for me. I experienced more failure and was tempted to feel hopeless. Nevertheless, I continued to follow the gospel principles, remembering that sometimes things get harder before they get easier.
I would love to tell you about my greatest victory over these courses: I started in October and am ending these two courses in January. I cannot remember a holiday season where I've been satisfied with the way I've eaten and exercised. But this year was different. I asked God for a plan each day and simply followed it. It was hard sometimes to see other people feasting or eating lots of sweets when that wasn't part of my plan, but I felt so victorious at being able to stand firm. And I also realized that celebrating with family did not have to include lots of sweets or even big meals. I had a couple of family members tell me after the holidays that they noticed that I ate so peacefully, and that was a huge victory for me!
Physically, I've lost 25 pounds so far, and I no longer need to use antacids, which is such a blessing.
There is freedom in the application of the gospel."
Question 8. What are your thoughts on Kara's testimony? Please share.
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