- The Grace and Strength Lifestyle
- Success Stories
Like many people who struggle with weight loss, Melissa had tried many 'diets' with very little success. She came to us with a desire to see God strengthen her in this area of her life, just as He had in many other areas.
In her testimony, Melissa talks about the negative thinking that comes with being overweight for many women. She even says that she believed it was her cross to bear in life. ...but look at her now! Even though we're thrilled that she lost over 75 pounds, we're even more excited that she is free from those self-destructive thought patterns and is beaming with a confident radiant smile that is shining from the inside out!
Melissa's Story - In her own words.
But as it is written, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him" - 1Corinthians 2:9.
Ever since I became a Christian 18 years ago, this has been one of my favorite Bible verses. There has never been a greater example of this verse played out in my life than right now as I prepare to graduate from Grace and Strength.
I'm 45 years old and have been overweight my entire life. I had tried nearly every diet out there and have always thought I could probably teach any weight loss class with all the information I had accumulated over the years. The problem was…..I failed at all of them. Being overweight and the negative self talk that comes along with it was something I lived with on a daily basis. It became who I was and I believed it was my "cross to bear" in life.
Although I have seen and felt the hand of God in every area of my life that I had submitted to Him, my issues with food were something that I kept to myself. I'm not really sure why I would keep my deepest feelings of failure and sadness to myself and not lay them at His feet like I had done in other areas of my life…..maybe due to fear of failing and losing my credibility as a witness for Christ? or maybe just because I had grown accustomed to the helpless, cyclical pattern of indulging and regret?
I have known Cyndi Benson for years and I knew that she had started Grace and Strength but never really looked into the program until the fall of last year. After speaking with Cyndi in September I knew this program was different…..and I was right! I truly felt led to start Grace and Strength and for the first time ever…..turn a lifetime of food issues and negative self talk over to Christ.
I would be lying if I said the last 5 months have been easy (and there may even have been a few tears along the way)….. but every struggle was needed to produce true transformation and growth in me. I have lost over 75 pounds on Grace and Strength (which is a miracle in and of itself) but it has done much more than that for me…….I physically feel better than I have ever felt and I have learned true healthy eating habits which translates to a lifetime of health for myself and my family. Above all, my Faith has been strengthened during this process and I have been shown a truth that I had been missing all these years……that the Lord truly loves me and cares for all the little things and the big things in my life and that He will meet me where I am….words that I had heard before but never truly felt in the depths of my soul until now.
My cry out for redemption was heard and the Lord has rescued me!
I know I am coming to the end of the "phases" of Grace and Strength but I also know this is only the beginning of freedom from a lifetime of chains that have bound me.
There are so many people that I would like to thank for their love and support as I went through this awesome journey:
First, Cyndi, I pray for an abundance of God's Blessings to you and a big THANK YOU for using the gifts the Lord has given you to develop this wonderful ministry that is changing lives physically, mentally and spiritually on a daily basis!
I am forever indebted to my coach Bekah, who is an incredible prayer warrior and who is strong and unwavering in her Faith. She is the perfect balance of being loving and being tough and challenging. I am also beyond grateful for all the women that have supported me and prayed for me over these months (including my sister who is also on her way to graduating from Grace and Strength in the near future)….
I love you all and can't wait to see you in the alumni group!
* Individual results may vary.
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