WHEN GOOD THINGS BECOME HEAVY THINGS

There was a moment I realized it was becoming increasingly difficult to wake up at night to pray. My daily schedule was packed, and instead of spending time in prayer, I found myself reaching for my phone again. Recognizing this pattern, I made a decisive change—I limited my nighttime meals and paid closer attention to my habits before sleep. The difference was remarkable.

Many weights and excesses aren’t sins in themselves, but when carried for too long, they can lead believers to justify actions they normally wouldn’t accept. Over time, they can pave the way to sin.

Remember Jesus’ words: “Watch and Pray so you don’t fall into temptation.” Watchfulness is just as vital as prayer. In fact, a praying person is also a watchful one.

History and Scripture show us that excess weight often played a role in people’s downfall. For example, the story of Eglon, the fat king, is both sobering and instructive:

“He brought the tribute money to Eglon, who was very fat. Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled out the dagger strapped to his right thigh, and plunged it into the king’s belly. The dagger went so deep that the handle disappeared beneath the king’s fat. So, Ehud did not pull out the dagger, and the king’s bowels emptied.” (Judges 3:17, 21-22 NLT)

May the enemy’s weapons never find fertile ground in your life. Consider what tendencies or proclivities you might be covering up—what have you accepted as normal that shouldn’t be?

Even Eli, the priest of the Lord, was overweight—so much so that when the messenger delivered devastating news about the Ark of God, Eli’s shock caused him to fall backward, break his neck, and die. He had judged Israel for forty years but was weighed down by excesses.

Reflect: What burdens or habits are slowing your progress? What have you accumulated that weighs you down?

It’s time to step into the gym of the Spirit. Work on your spiritual diet. Cut away anything that doesn’t build you up. Declare war on the excesses that hinder your destiny. Get back into shape—spiritually and physically.