Do you have community? We live in a world that increasingly does not require community — you can buy just about everything online, and you can do everything from working to visiting the doctor remotely. However, God created us to have community. In today’s episode of Phoenix Chronicles, Martin and Jes discuss community — what it is, how to find it, and why it is crucial for lasting weight loss.

Martin starts by describing his experience with weight loss before he found community. He found himself very isolated, particularly around the holidays. It took Jes time to find the right community for her, but once she did, it made all the difference.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[1:40] Today’s episode is about losing the weight, and more importantly, keeping it off. When we white-knuckle through diets, it can be easy to slip back into old habits.

[5:10] Last episode, we talked about obedience. Having a team of people around you who are also obedient, and who encourage your obedience, can help you stick to your diet.

[7:51] Martin struggled to stick to his diet before he found community. Other than his wife, he handled his weight loss completely on his own, and struggled to do so.

[11:20] Martin found himself feeling more alone and isolated during the holidays. He struggled to resist temptation around the holidays and found himself in an uphill battle.

[14:57] Beyond surrendering to God, Martin recommends forming a community with God. Through prayer, Martin was able to draw on God’s willpower to stay on his diet.

[20:48] Jes spoke about the community she found in her Regeneration group last episode. The program goes through a twelve-step process to help participants find strength in their faith.

[25:00] The sense of community Jes found in her Regen group will be with her for life. Her “stepsisters” help her accountable, and were willing to risk alienating her to point her back to God.

[28:45] How do you find community? Jes recommends starting at church, and going “church-shopping” until you find a place that feels like home. You can also join groups like book clubs.

[32:58] From Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

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