What Happens When You Fall

Galatians 6:1-3 "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. YOU might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived."


This reminds me of how people are with people that are trying to lose weight. It also reminds me of  when I was climbing the scales in the 100's. When "I" felt overweight, and would say something out loud, someone else would always make a comment to the effect, "Oh you don't need to lose weight. You look great just like you are." Now, they didn't mean any harm! I believe they really believed I was 'good where I was' - however, for me, the extra pounds were too much.

Fast forward to having weight loss surgery. People assume it is the "easy way out" (if you think that, then go check out my FB Page where I keep a journal of my weight loss journey, ALL of it - it is NOT all easy) and just having surgery is cause for people to judge that decision. When I went into surgery, I had lost a total of over 50 pounds with 36 pounds during the pre-op phase. I was right at 200 pounds exactly the day of surgery. When we gathered with several of the others having surgery the same day as I - one of the companions looked at me, and made a comment just like the one above. She didn't understand, that my 200 pounds, was like the 250 I was carrying, and the 250-400 pounds the others were carrying. On me, for me, it was too much! I was not successful at getting the weight off and keeping it off on my own. I did NOT want to get even higher on the scale.

I remember saying to myself, "Please Lord help me to remember, that each person's journey is their own. The extra weight means something different to each one of us."   Now skip forward about 6-7 months. A girl, that on the outside looked healthy and fit, said she was 180 pounds and having surgery. Yes, I confess, at first, I ACTUALLY made a comment in my head when I saw her picture, that "she didn't need to have surgery" - WHAM!!! I mean literally that instant, the Lord reminded me of the comment made to me, and my request to Him to remind me! I looked at her, and began to pray for her. That she remains strong to her convictions. That she is able to have success using the "tool" that God gave the surgeon to be able to give to her. I then asked for forgiveness for my briefly forgetting, when I WAS 180 pounds, on my way UP the scale, that I WISHED and PRAYED for something to be "my answer" to help me lose the weight.

These verses remind me that we ALL struggle with inner self-image at one point or another. We ALL see ourselves a bit differently than others see us. However, what I got out of this, was when we all struggle, or even fall, we are NOT to be quick to judge or ridicule or even question someone and their choices. We are to come along side of them and help lift them back up to their feet so they can walk the path God has set before them! This may mean, pulling them aside and asking if everything is ok when we notice the food or other choices they are making. Perhaps, give an example of when you too where in a moment like that. Sin is sin, no matter "what" the sin is. Smoking, drinking, shopping, over indulging in any number of assorted things.... we are ALL caught up in sin at different moments in our life - shoot, in our day even! WE all use that sin as our coping mechanism.

To help someone who is caught in a sin, doesn't mean you have to have "overcome" that same sin yourself! Not at all! The fact that you have fallen to the same sin, does help, but it is not necessary. If you see someone struggling, and you CAN offer help - we ARE to offer help! It may be to help walk them through the truth that if they go to Jesus with this issue/situation/sin - He will forgive them. Then you help them forgive themselves as they move towards healing.

I just got a MEF (minds eye flash) of 2 friends running together. One of them falls. The person left standing/running with the friend does NOT keep going, but turns and stops to help their friend, right?! Nor is the one still standing going to turn around and ridicule the one that fell! NO! They are going to quickly come to the aid of their friend, lift them up, check them out to make sure they are not hurt. If they are hurt, they are going to help attend to their needs. (2nd flash) The two are running along, and one falls, the other one turns and shames the one that fell. Starts ridiculing them, judging them, comparing them even. Angry to have to stop, they don't even help them up. They give no assistance or help to clean up the skinned knees. Instead they insist on pushing them to keep going. While yelling and belittling them as they run again - the 'mean friend' isn't watching where they are going due to their glancing at the other one to 'yell' - and they trip and fall! THIS is exactly what this passage is telling us! We must NOT add to the grief of someone - because before the day is done, we too may fall to the same thing (or the thing that is 'our sin'). Don't be deceived my friend!! You and I are NO better than anyone else!! We are not! It is just as easy for us to trip and fall as it is someone else! We are all created equal. In God's eyes, we are ALL His children. He chooses to lovingly adopt each and everyone one of us into His family - it is our 'job' to accept this gift of salvation He offers. He forgives us for ALL of our sins! The past, present, AND the future ones He already knows we are going to do. The least we can do, is offer the same compassion and forgiveness to others.

Today, be on the look out for someone that is 'stumbling'. Reach out to them, offer your hand of assistance with a forgiving heart, and together God will bless you both! Be well, be safe, and KNOW that you ARE loved!!


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