Accepting Responsibility
NIV: Proverb 31:14-15 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS: She (the virtuous woman) rises early, while it is yet night, to give her family and servants breakfast, that they may be ready to go cheerfully about their work. She is none of those that sit up playing cards, or dancing, till midnight, till morning, and then lie in bed until noon. She applies herself to the business that is proper for her.
MY OBSERVATIONS: How many women in today's day and age even care to be the virtuous wife anymore? Do we find the woman in Proverbs 31 desirable because this is what God has ordained, or do we excuse away our traditional role because it doesn't keep pace with today's society realm of thinking? Even more appropriate are these verses for the Christian dieter. She is responsible for traveling "afar" to gather the foods necessary for her meal plans. Yes, that might mean extra thought and time at the store, but she does it because she is on a mission. Yes, it might mean arising early to prepare the meals ahead for herself and for her family, but she does it because she takes responsibility for her weight and even so far as that of her household. I would venture to say this entire chapter is about responsibility, and so it goes that we alone must take responsibility for our weight, we must take pains to remedy it if it is out of control, and we must desire to educate and be held accountable for the feeding of nutritious and wholesome foods for others in our household. In light of these verses, we must relinquish all of our pale excuses, become a virtuous woman, and take back the responsibilities God has ordained for us. As we quit blaming others, and take back control, we then become in charge of our body again, and victorious dieting and lifestyle become ours.
Father God, thank You for the hitting home message that I, and I alone, am responsible for my own dilemma of weight gain and subsequent weight loss issues. May all I eat and all I prepare for others be in accordance to Your will for me in my quest to return to a normal size body. Thank You for Your Word which places me back in the helm, and throws excuses overboard. In Christ Jesus' name. Amen
NIV: Proverb 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
My Observations: The virtuous woman, whether she be married or single, runs her own household carefully, and that includes running her own life with care. She takes care of her body, she feeds it right, and yes, she exercises. She doesn't eat the bread of idleness and in today so terminology that means she isn't a couch potato. She doesn't eat bon bons all day while watching soaps on TV. She finds that her life is full and satisfying, food and boredom is not her lover, the Lord and fullness of life is. Do you realize that losing weight demands faith? Faith is trusting that a certain desired out-come will happen. Without faith, losing weight is impossible. Though you CAN'T see the immediate RESULT of all your efforts, you must believe that in due time the weight will come off in Jesus' name. I believe if we heed these words of advice from Proverbs, our bodies will begin to look like we do watch over them.
Father God, thank You for the gentle reminders of our responsibilities and obligations. Let us become wise while there is still the opportunity. Help us most of all to watch over our own affairs, and that of our own households, before we try to take charge of others life's. In Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen
Today's Diet Tip: 31. Once you have successfully adopted a new attitude and altered your eating behavior, the challenge is to maintain that change. One key to doing that is not being too inflexible. Remember, most people have lapses and need to allow themselves some room. The point is to see these lapses as isolated slip-ups, not as total catastrophes.
Today's Positive Thought: Through your weight loss journey remember to look to your past for determination, to your future for inspiration, and most of all, to your friends for support.
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Obesity is the fine we pay for exceeding the feed limit.
A great deal of the Proverbs 31 woman disqualifies me. 
