Without Me you can do nothing - Brenda Leyland

Our summer series of articles from guest bloggers continues with Brenda Leyland of It’s a Beautiful Life blog

“Without Me you can do nothing.”

It took me a long to time realize that these words Jesus spoke in John 15:5 also apply to the whole area of fitness and healthy living. I used to believe that if a person had a strong enough willpower, they could be successful at whatever they set their mind to accomplish. But the wall I kept banging into was the fact that, while some people seemed well equipped to stick to their decisions, alas, I wasn’t one of them.

The moment I said I was going on a diet, that’s when all dormant desires for chocolate-covered-anything jumped to attention, like a bull to a red flag. How many Monday mornings did my co-workers and I agree this was the week we would begin our diet in earnest, only to fight the temptation of coffee treats brought by someone not on a diet

For years I lamented that I did not have a strong enough self-will. I felt cheated and at a disadvantage. Was I, from the beginning, destined to fail, just because I didn’t have the ability to stick to it? Were other people destined to succeed, all because they had a stronger willpower than I did?

But I realized it was folly to think that. God is not a respecter of persons and He did not give some an edge to succeed while others are destined to be less successful. Through Christ, He has given us all the ability to be overcomers in every area of our lives, including our diet and fitness choices.

Over a period of time, the Lord helped me see that it wasn’t about me trying harder or being stronger-willed; it was about recognizing the absolute truth that there is nothing I can do without Him. It was not a sign of weakness to admit it; rather, admitting it set me free from trying to do this thing by myself. What a relief!

When I’m tempted to revert back to my old habits of doing it in my own strength, He’ll remind me. He’s the one that makes me a winner, an overcomer… every time.



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Brenda has a passion to see people find healing and wholeness in every area of life. Her interests include heart-to-heart conversations over coffee, gardens, reading, writing a monthly newsletter for Mary Kay consultants, and blogging. She is currently working on a book about healthy living tips based on the Book of Proverbs. Brenda enjoys a more leisurely pace of life in the company of her newly-retired husband and their mostly retired cat, Miss Kitty.