"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

This verse has become my life verse through my journey with Grace & Strength…and beyond!

My journey with Grace and Strength began with me knowing something had to change. I have not been heavy my whole life, but had come to a point where food was my life. If I was happy I ate, sad, I ate, mad, I ate… you get the picture. I dreamed about what I could eat next, trying to satisfy hurts, etc. In my life, where so many things were changing, topsy turvy, not really going how I thought they should go, food was my one constant. It didn't talk back to me, judge me, or hurt me. Or so I thought. I turned to food to satisfy me, knowing full well I should have been turning to God my savior for my every need. I had tried just about every program under the sun, all worked fine for 2-3 months, I would lose 20 lbs, think I had this, fall off the wagon, and gain 30,40+ pounds, only to feel worthless all over again.

This year in January, I finally realized that my problem with my weight was more than just a food problem… More than just calories in, calories out, etc. I knew I was harming myself, long term I was killing myself. Food had become my "god." I was sinning, big time. Food had a stronghold on my life and I needed a change. I needed a spiritual change. I needed freedom from the stronghold and bondage food had on me.

I am not an avid Facebook user, but I was searching for yet another way to lose weight, and saw a comment from someone who said, I made goal weight through Grace and Strength. Something clicked with me and I researched more about what Grace and Strength was. When I learned about grace and strength, I knew this was what I needed. They said immediately, it was more of a lifestyle change, they would be "Empowering you to be YOU through sound Biblical teaching and a natural approach to changing and managing your health." Wow, thank you Lord, this is what I needed. I knew it would not be easy, but was excited and had a peace that this is what I had longed for.

I also began to read Made to Crave, which has helped tremendously. I realized that I not only needed to change my eating habits, but growing in my spiritual walk with the lord. Depend on Him instead of food. As Lysa TerKeurst put it, "Getting healthy isn't just about losing weight. It's not limited to adjusting our diet and hoping for good physical results. It's about recalibrating our souls so that we want to change- spiritually, physically, and mentally. And the battle really is in all three areas."

It was not an easy road, but with the encouragement of my family, my coach Monica, and the sweet ladies in my group, I am so happy to say Glory to God, I made goal!

There are still things I have to deal with, it is not a thing where you just do this and you are never to struggle again for the rest of your life, but Gracias a Dios, I have freedom!

Going through the motions of religion won't ever satisfy. It's only when we bend down low, open our heart in complete surrender, and say, "Jesus, it's you. Only you. There is no other. There is no other possession or person or position that can ever fill the deep soul place shaped only for you."-Lysa TerKeurst

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* Individual results may vary.