“Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.”
You’ve probably sung Robert Robinson’s lyrics in church and throughout the week, and for a good reason: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” is an incredibly uplifting song that reminds us to depend upon God for a heart of worship, thankfulness, and faithfulness. But what do we mean when we sing, “Here I raise mine Ebenezer,” and what does that have to do with weight loss?
“Ebenezer” is a biblical term that means “stone of help.” When God delivered Israel from her enemies in Judges chapter 7, the prophet and judge Samuel set up a memorial stone and “named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us” (1 Sam. 7:12 NIV). When we say, “Here I raise mine Ebenezer,” we’re acknowledging how God has helped us come this far, and commit His help to memory.
Think of it as a milestone in reverse. Whereas a milestone is a goal or target that drives you forward (the 10-pound mark, the 20-pound mark, the 50-pound mark, etc.), your Ebenezer provides encourages you when you look back. It’s a way of remembering that “thus far, the Lord has helped me.”
And that’s an important thing to remember, because weight loss isn’t easy, and we’re often tempted to look back. But what if every time we looked back, we were reminded of how God has helped us come so far? The weight loss journey would become fulfilling, even thrilling.
We at LetsLose have a few Ebenezer ideas that help our patients remember how the Lord has helped them as they pursue happy and healthy lives:
- Take a small rock from the yard. It doesn’t have to be any bigger than an egg. Wash it off, let it dry, and then use a permanent marker to write down the date and how many pounds you’ve lost. Put this on your nightstand, in your medicine cabinet, or even on your desk at the office!
- When you hit one of your milestones, celebrate! Buy a new suit or dress, go out with friends for a (low-calorie) meal, and take some pictures. The memories you make will remind you of how fulfilling a healthy life can be.
- Get a magnet for your refrigerator or an ornament for your rearview mirror that commemorates your weight loss. Putting up constant reminders like these will help keep your spirits up when times are tough.
What are some ways that you remember how far you’ve come in your weight loss journey? We’d love to hear your story!