AboutMrs. Priscilla Lyons Expertise I have time for you. The Bible has been my guiding light for
most of the 56 years of my life. My missionary parents in Brazil kindled
a love for God`s Word by their example and their love for truth. The
Lord has blessed my husband and me with responsible, independent
children who love and serve the Lord and are our best friends. I would
enjoy discussing any subject or problem from a Biblical perspective.
I am a 26 years old female. For the past few weeks I have been feeling general malaise & sickness off and on - mostly
muscle aches, very mild fever, fatigue, very mild throat discomfort and very mild cold/flu.
I think this is because I have not been sleeping well for the past few weeks. Lately, I find my life and job very
unfulfilling, so much so that the only things I look forward to in life is to eat. (which is bad - I am slowly but
surely getting fatter).
There are many things going on in my life lately.
1)Career - I think I dont have passion for my job anymore. But the creepier question beneath is - should I change job?
And I dont really know what I want to do which can make money and be fun at the same time. I have already been working
in my present company (my first job) for almost 5 years now. Will it be a stupid decision to change career? Will it be
worth the pay cut? (My company pays quite well). But lately I start to feel like an underdog here. My junior has been
approved to go to an overseas training (which I have applied for but previously denied approval). Then I start to feel
left out as most of my colleagues are more IT savvy than I am. My company mostly does system implementation work. I
have an Electrical & Electronics Engineering Degree background. AT the moment, I cant forsee a bright future with this
company, the only reasons why I am staying is - the pay, and I am not sure whether outside jobs will be better (may be
I am having unrealistic expectations of a job - and switching to a lower paying job will be a foolish move?).
2)Being content with what I have VS losing weight
I am 60kg, 5 feet 2 tall. I went for a check up and discovered that my metabolism is on the low range of a normal
person.I have been actively working out 3-4 times a week (at least one hour session each time) for the past 4 years. I
mostly do high/mix impact cardio workouts(3-4 times per week), with some stretching/flexibility exercises(once / twice
a week) and resistance training (once a week/2 weeks). If it is not for my active lifestyle, I believe my metabolism
rate would even be lower.
I have been chubby all my life. Highest weight is 60kg, lowest weight was 50kg. The weight which I was able to maintain
(5 years ago) was 55-57kg.
Lately, due to work commitments, I have not been able to work out as much as I usually do, and in the near future, I
can forsee even more hectic working schedule.
I eat a normal amount like other people. But sometimes I wonder whether I should go all out to cut out 5 kg of fat?
Should I eat a super light dinner, skip all the sweet tea/coffee that I have after breakfast/lunches, etc? And I am
reluctant to do that because I love those food. But I am always in a lingering limbo - torn between being content with
the size and shape that I have, and whether to vigorously pursue my goal? If yes, that will mean that I will have to
significantly alter my eating habits for the rest of my life. The question will be - is it worth the effort? I honestly
dont know.
Nowadays I just exist through life, going through the motions, directionless and with a vague feeling of depression.
Nothing to look forward to. Can you please help me? I have been having this problem off and on for the past few
months/2 years. Thanks!
Regards,
Karen
Answer Dear Karen,
Thanks for writing. Did you feel any stronger about any one option after writing?
If it were me I would definitely not make a major outward change such as your job, while your inward life is unsettled.
Is there some way you could keep your job while at the same time trying to get your work schedule LESS hectic, rather than MORE hectic? Anyway, whatever time you DO have outside of your work, if I were you, I would dedicate to eating healthily and working out like you've done before, treating this like medicine to heal your body, not like suffering to make your body look good (although it sometimes does help appearances also).
Having advised to keep your job, and to focus on your health rather than your appearance, then let me share what centers me, giving me peace about myself, although I'll never look as good as most people, nor be as rich as most Americans, nor be as nice or as smart as most people, or even as "lucky" as others.
My fulfillment comes from being what I was created to be--a reflection of my Creator's image. Each of us have chosen to reflect our own image instead of our perfect Creator's image, so our Creator, God the Son, became one of us to pay for our imperfections, so we could connect with Him to fulfill all the unique potential with which He created each one of us. The death and resurrection of Jesus provided the only way to have our sins forgiven so we could be connected to our perfect Creator forever.
If you realize the mess we are in by choosing our own will rather than our Creator's will, then you can give charge of your life to God, asking Him to forgive your sins, and He will live in you to help you deal with life in a new way as you learn from His Word (the Bible), which He has supernaturally provided and preserved for us at great cost.
If you've ever heard of the Pearl of Great Price, this is what I'm talking about. The eternal LIFE God offers us now and forever, may not be pleasant like sugar water. It may even take some rough sand polishing, but it is the most worthwhile road I can offer. Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death (eternal separation from the Source of Life and everything good), but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Have you trusted Jesus to be your Lord?
Love,
Priscilla
