Hello. My name is Dan and I have a problem…

08 Jun Hello. My name is Dan and I have a problem…

I don’t know about you, but my struggle to stay healthy is a constant battle with what I put in my mouth.  I simply love food.  What really stinks is that you can’t go through a 12-step program and get off of it.  You have to eat.  There is the problem.  We can’t imagine telling an addict to just have a “little” of their poison of choice, but that is what we do for those that struggle with food issues.  As a minister, I am hit with some of the best food on the planet (or at least in Northwest Arkansas) on a pretty consistent basis.  Church fellowships, Christian Seniors, and Sunday School socials all seem to revolve around food.  Sometimes, I just want to yell, “I give up!” and end up a 500 pound pastor.  However, that doesn’t do anything except shorten my life and give me a future full of health problems.

So what do I do?  Honestly, I don’t have the answer.  I am on the same journey as many of you.  I just thought I need to say it today, “Hello.  My name is Dan and I have a problem.”  But, maybe that is where we all need to start and what makes the first step of any 12 step program so powerful.  Confessing your weakness to yourself and others has the power to unlock real strength in you.  The accountability that is provides is incredible.  In addition, it is a biblical model.  God calls us to confess our sins to Him.  In 1 John 1:19, the Bible says that…

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (ESV) 

God also calls us to confess our struggles to one another.  In James 5:16, the Bible says that we are to

“…confess your sins one to another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (ESV)  

I have heard that confession is good for the soul.  I have to agree.  It is an incredible thing to confess your issues openly and start the process of change and transformation.  So, join me today and we’ll confess together, “Hello. My name is…”