Weight Loss Tip # 22: “Pray for the people who hurt you.”
Jesus told His followers “love your enemies” and “pray for those who persecute you.” This advice isn’t just a good way to treat other people. It’s a good way to treat ourselves. The inability to let go of anger, hostility and resentment is often a hallmark quality of people who struggle with compulsive and addictive behaviors — such as food and diet addiction. It doesn’t matter what your spiritual beliefs are. If you commit to yourself to pray to the God of your understanding for the people who hurt you, you will find your emotional health increasing on a daily basis. Adopting a daily practice of praying for the people who hurt us is one of the most useful things we can do for ourselves on our journey toward achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. These prayers do not need to be long although at first (especially if you have been carrying resentments towards certain people around with you for many years) you may not feel peaceful after a quick prayer. Quick sincere prayers practiced throughout your day can make a big difference in your life. When a person makes you angry when you are driving in the car and you feel tempted to curse, take a deep breath and sincerely say, “God bless him!” It will be helpful, before you say your prayer to put yourself in the shoes of the other person for just a minute. If you can sit for a moment in the shoes of the other person you can usually see that person as another vulnerable, stressed-out human who was born naked and is going to leave this world naked, too. Give people a break today. It will do wonders for your soul.
Daily Inspiration: “Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so much.” ~Oscar Wilde
Approach the day with a light heart and be generous with forgiveness. You have only this day to live and your soul will be happiest when it is not a companion of resentment. Resentment has no place in your new vibrant and healthy lifestyle.
