Shay's Story

Before Grace and Strength, I can honestly say that my relationship with food was very unhealthy. I would call myself a "foodie" who loved to go out to eat and try new foods and drinks! That is what I would look forward to every day. The idea of food became an idol in my life that consumed my every thought. All day I would be thinking about places I wanted to try and recipes I wanted to cook at home. The idea of food became a form of idol worship in my life that was taking up residence in my heart where God belonged.

Unfortunately, my obsession with food was hurting my health; physically, mentally, and spiritually. Physically because I was overweight, and dreaded confronting my closet on a daily basis. Nothing ever fit the way I wanted it to. I was buying clothes that would hide my shape. I felt trapped in my own body, living with constant guilt because of my poor eating habits, but couldn't stop. Mentally, because like an addict, I thought about food more than anything else, which led to out of control cravings all the time. Spiritually, because this was the one area in my life I didn't know how to let God into, and I didn't know how to surrender it.

My mom is so wonderful, and led me to the Grace and Strength program. I was at a place in my life where I felt completely defeated and broken, and knew I needed help! At first, I was scared to start the program because I knew I was going to have to surrender everything, and I knew that the pruning process was going to be hard.

God is good!!!! His Mercies are new every day!!! The Grace and Strength Program was challenging, but in the best way imaginable. God was able to work on my heart, and truly set me free from the bondage of food. I lost 40 lbs. in 3 months*, and now see food completely different. I love the foods I get to eat now, foods that God made for me to love and enjoy that are good for me! I know now that God has wired me to love food, which is not a bad thing, but He has redirected my focus to Him, and for His glory! I am now more creative than ever when it comes to cooking, God has blessed me with creativity I never knew I had.

"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)

God didn't take away my love for food, He transformed it into something beautiful, for His glory! When your heart is thrilled with the things above, the things of this world become less and less attractive. God has shown me that I don't need to seek false freedom in food, but rather to seek freedom in Him. I know God allowed these issues so I could learn to run to Him and depend on Him. "The battle is mine" says the Lord, when we surrender to Him in times of struggle, He will defeat our enemies!

I have learned to be open with my struggles, and allow healing to take place. The Grace and Strength program is about community, open communication, and accountability with others who know and understand exactly what you are going through. I learned how important boundaries are, and the freedom of living within healthy boundaries. There are challenges each week that have encouraged me to exercise, and stay in the Word daily!

The Grace and Strength program is NOT a diet… it is a lifestyle change that I will cherish and embrace for the rest of my life! I don't ever want to go back to the way I was. God has truly renewed my life and my relationship with Him! He has proven to me through this amazing journey that HE IS Strength in my weakness… because I could not have done this without Him! The focus of the Grace and Strength program is not weight loss, its focus is a heart transformation, and the result is weight loss… to the glory of God!

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* Individual results may vary.