SENTINEL WATCH August 28, 2006 Issue

A PRAYERFUL PERSPECTIVE ON OBESITY

GLORY HOLZWORTH

THE PREVALENCE OF OBESITY in the United States has increased to the point where it's garnering more national attention than ever. According to a report by the National Department of Health and Human Resources, 30 percent of US adults—nearly 60 million people—are currently overweight. Researchers, doctors, individuals—even popular TV shows—are taking notice and trying to come up with solutions. For instance, the new reality show on the American Learning Channel called, Honey, We're Killing the Kids, takes a look at how individual families can radically change their lifestyles to avoid the growing problem of obesity in children. And thousands of Americans are opting for weight-loss surgery, despite the high risk of complications.

Many people long for a better solution to this problem—a more lasting and harmless one. I have found that prayer offers not only a watchful perspective, but an effective solution. I've thought about what might be at the heart of obesity, so I can pray more effectively. And I've realized that one aspect might be an individual's desire to fill what they perceive as a deep emptiness within.

The Bible says it's possible to fill our emptiness through Christ, the spirit of God, divine Love. Speaking of Christ in the New Testament, John the Baptist said, "Of his fulness have all we received" (John 1:16). Later, St. Paul gave a clearer sense of just what that fullness of spirit includes. He said, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." And he continued, "Against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22, 23). This says to me that these qualities—the very fullness of our being—can never be taken away from us. These qualities of being are forever ours to draw upon. And as we recognize goodness, self-control, joy, peace, and patience, as comprising our very being, we will find the satisfaction we seek is already present within us.

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