Assurance of God's approval . . . ?

Hello, I haven't checked in here for a week or two, but I've been reading in the background. I'm currently in the process of waiting for insurance approval -- Surgeon's office has sent the letter. I've also been praying that this is truly the path God is leading me down. I am convinced that WLS is the only way I can ever be thin again, having failed at so many diet attempts. Recently my feelings over a co-worker's decision were brought back to mind. How do I know if it's Satan, or the Lord causing me this puzzlement? The situations was: a few years ago a co-worker who was a male EAP counselor had a sex-change operation to become a female. Our department had a couple of meetings over the reactions of some people to his/her use of the women's restroom prior to the surgery, but those issues were worked out. I had feelings of deep sorrow and compassion for him, with his feeling it was necessary to go through such an operation -- because I believe that God does not make mistakes when He creates our beings. I work for a governmental agency, where political correctness is constantly espoused. Overtly sharing Christian messges with co-workers is not allowed, and although I prayed privately for this individual, and tried to express support and love for her, I was never able to find a way to say outright that God would disapprove the decision. Now here I am in the process of making a decision to change my organs as well. The organs that God "fearfully and wonderfully made". Is there a way to reconcile how and why this is ok to do, when having sex-change is not ok? How do I know that God doesn't "approve" of sex change surgery, but He does "approve" gastric bypass? Of course, I will be much better able to physically serve Him when I am healthier, and not hauling around 150 extra pounds. I covet your thoughts and prayer on my behalf, and for this conundrum that my brain is trying to muddle through. Thanks, Susan

Hi Susan, I pray that you will receive confirmation as to what the Lord's will is for you concerning WLS. Georgeann

This is a post I gave to someone last week on this exact subject... In 3 John 2 Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. The word health in Greek is hugiaino which means to be sound in body, in good health. I believe God wants us to be in "good" everything! If we are healthy whi*****ludes being able to breath, walk around, work for the Lord in the callings He has given us, obesity has to be out of the picture. Does that mean that obese people are unusable to the Lord? Of course not! He loves us and I was usable last year when I weighed 347 lbs. And there are many, many who are doing great things for the Lord. However, I can now do more things for Him at 170 lbs. Here is what the Lord gave me when I was contemplating surgery: God created us in His image, we were perfect in every area but sin entered the Garden and we wanted more. Now that sin is in the world, things are not perfect anymore including the food we eat, the air we breath and our perfect bodies have become polluted with all this "sin" and we for some reason become obese. Whether from bad eating habits or metabolism I don't think it matters at all to God because it is the result of the imperfections in this world. In heaven I don't think we will be obese -- I think we will have the perfect bodies that God created for us. Is it God's will for us as Christian women? I firmly believe it is. My whole life has changed with Christ in the center of it even more so now than last year. Now I can get down on the floor, on my face and worship my Lord and Savior in the humility that I longed to have for Him for so long. Close yours eyes and listen with your whole body to what He is saying to you and I believe you will hear your Savior say: "be in health". Blessings to you.

Hi Susan. I have a different slant on things. I had tried unsuccessfully to lose weight for all of my adult life. I finally asked the Lord to use my "thorn in the side" for His Glory. I hoped I could touch someone for Him through my obesity. God finally answered my humble prayer this past April to lose weight, but not in the way I had expected. I was disgnosed with stomach cancer. My surgeon removed about 9/10 of my stomach....plus my gallbladder, and hooked me back up similar to the way that is done with other WLS patients. My surgery was April 27th. I have now lost close to 60 pounds, and I praise God! I am not setting any speed records, but I do feel healthier every day. God is the "great Physician" and He uses mortal physicians to heal us too. I never thought that getting cancer would be a blessing in disguise! However, I now feel healthier than I have in years! I have much more energy, and I feel I can serve Him better for what I have gone through. (I also had no trouble getting the surgery approved!) If I can remain cancer free for about two years, I stand a very good chance of being cured. I feel I have already been cured, thanks to the Lord and the prayers of many people. Don't feel that going ahead with surgery means than you are giving in to Satan. Instead let God use your weakness to let His glory shine through. Keep us posted on how you are doing. In Him, Peg

DEAREST SUSAN, I HAVE A FEW THOUGHTS THAT LEAD MY WAY IN THIS JOURNEY. FIRST, I BELIEVE EVERY STEP WE TAKE IN OUR LIVES IS NAVIGATED BY CHRIST. HE HAS LED ME TO THIS PLACE MY LIFE, AND I THANK HIM FOR IT. NEXT, I ALSO BELIEVE GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES WHEN CREATING US, BUT, I BELIEVE THAT REFERS TO OUR IMMORTAL SOULS. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS BLESSED US WITH FREE WILL. WE ARE GIVEN CHOICES BY OUR LORD. HE HAS BLESSED MY SURGEON WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL TO PERFORM THIS SURGERY. AND HE HAS LED ME TO THIS SURGEON. I COULD GO ON AND ON, JUSTIFYING THE REASONS WHY I FEEL THAT JESUS IS MY GUIDE. BUT, I HEAR IN YOUR POST A DEEP CONCERN FOR DOING HIS WILL. I BELIEVE IN MY HEART THAT HE WILL LEAD YOU. JUST TRUST IN HIM. LOVE, CARMELLA

Dear Susan, The thoughts and questions you have are very normal. I think that is good that your questioning if this surgery is for you. God will be faithful to show you his will. It might take some time but you will know, when or when not to have this surgery. Im starting to just think a few thoughts about plastic surgery, and my mind is already starting to question every little thought about it. But I pray this time, my joy will not be stolen like it had so many times before I had my wls. Continue to come here so we may keep you in prayer and help encourage on what ever desicion you make. Blessings Geri