Dear brethren and visitors, I would like to share with you a cycle of growth I have just completed, for your edification, exhortation, and comfort. In a moment of challenge Satan sparked feelings of suspicion as he sowed thought patterns of how my outward appearance may be too offensive to others, suggesting that my faith is therefore not a true testimony of Jesus Christ because I'm still struggling with my weight. I reflected on how people may judge me for my outward appearance but my heart is pure by covenant faith and this makes me acceptable to God as faith represents us before Him and not our outward appearance. I also reflected on how our bodies will also be healed completely at the rapture as we get our glorified bodies and so it is not our focus in this timeframe. The world focuses on outward appearance, but we are focused on the concealed sign (regeneration) which beautifies the soul. The world has to accept the testimony of grace regardless of the vessel it comes...