Limited Thinking Blocks God from My Life

I have struggled with my rollercoaster weight most of my life. I have tried so many options: weight-loss plans, crazy diets (do you remember the cabbage soup diet?), and fasts. I exercise regularly, although exercise alone is not the solution. I recently consulted my primary care physician about the new weight loss medications: the GLP-1s. My health insurance approved the one prescribed, but my share of the cost was astronomical. I felt defeated. I wondered, “If my insurance company won’t help, why bother?”

Limited Thinking

The recent Bible Study I attended by Rev. Dr. Raquel S. Lettsome provided some hard truths for me. The lesson entitled “LEAVE IT: Limited Thinking”[1] is the fifth of her Lenten Bible Study series. Within minutes of this lesson, I had my AHA! My dejected attitude had limited my thinking.

• Limited thinking imposes myself on myself rather than allowing God to prevail.
• Limited thinking keeps me in that restrictive box rather than allowing me to escape through an opening God provided.
• Limited thinking places blinders on me, limiting my vision to one that may not be God’s.

Bottom line: Limited thinking blocks God from my life.

What limits my thinking and how can I leave it behind?

Comparison

I know people whose out-of-pocket expense for the same GLP-1 was nominal. Why was mine so high? What insurance did they have? Why can’t I have what they have? Isn’t my need equal to or greater than theirs? Focusing on what others had limited my thinking.

Comparison is dangerous. It is arrogant—I should have everything everyone else has. It is presumptuous—My situation is {add your comparative word here} than theirs. It is debilitating—If they have and I do not, I don’t deserve it. It is assumptive—I ignore that it is God’s plan, not mine, that matters. “Comparison is the thief of joy.”[2]

Once again, God spoke: “Stop comparing how I work in others’ lives to how I work in yours.” God knows what others need and how to provide for them. God knows and can provide for what I need if I allow Him. I must focus on my situation and how God and I can work together to overcome it.

My Provider

During that Bible Study, Dr. Lettsome stated: “Your jireh is your jehovah.”[3] Plainly put, what I seek to provide my needs becomes my god. In my weight-loss journey as with my vitiligo journey, I wanted a medication to provide my solution. Is the medication my god of choice for these issues instead of God? Am I looking to the medications for a “quick” fix to my issues? Focusing on the wrong god limited my thinking.

Both medications are expensive. Currently, my insurance considers vitiligo medications as “cosmetic” and will not subsidize the cost. However, with the acceptance of my vitiligo came a peace knowing I am “fearfully and wonderfully made.”[4] I no longer crave that medication. But for my weight-loss journey, I am still working on that peace. The high cost has redirected my focus away from the medication as my god toward God as my provider. Focusing on the drug limited my thinking to only what that medication can do for that one specific issue. My limitless, boundless God can take me to places of healing that exceed what I anticipated. I must focus on Jehovah Jireh.

My Resources

I have prayed about this, and Jehovah Jireh provided the resources I needed. However, I chose to forego them. Why? The drug solution is more passive. To me, it seemed to be an easy fix—one reason why I wanted it. I only needed to inject the medication and make minor lifestyle changes. And, did you hear me say that I ignored what God had provided? Focusing on the resources I wanted limited my thinking.

The resources God provided would require active participation from me; I could not take a passive outlook. I had to be involved in the solution. I have often mentioned that a relationship with God demands me to give of myself in response to God’s giving to me. And, when I am working with God, He can lead me to a more effective solution and greater success. As I progress, God may decide to offer more resources, but now I must focus on what God has provided me.[5]

Reflection

Much of our limited thinking stems from the negative self-talk we engage in. From the fear and doubt we impose on ourselves or accept from others. From the pain and anger we carry rather than forgiving and letting go. Limited thinking can impact any aspect of your life, e.g. goals, ambition, or forward movement. What has limited your thinking?

A prayer I read on social media had an introduction I still remember: “Please Lord, get into my head before I do.” My prayer to break the chain of limited thinking begins with that. I hope it helps you:

Please Lord, get into my head before I do.
     Please remove all negativity, fear, and doubt
And replace it with Your peace, wisdom, and guidance.
     Lord, please forgive my sins,
So that You have space within my heart, body, and soul to lead.
     Please set my compass and direct my path,
And open my eyes to see that path.
     This is my earnest plea throughout the day.
In Jesus name, I pray,
Amen.

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[1] Lettsome, Raquel S, “Leave It: Limited Thinking,” Lenten Bible Study Series (online lecture, RSL Ministries, Inc., March 31, 2025).

[2] A quote attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt

[3] FYI-Jehovah Jireh (Yahweh Yireh) is one of the names of God meaning “God will provide.” from the story of Abraham and Isaac. See Genesis 22:14

[4] Psalm 139:14

[5] Disclaimer: I am not discounting, negating, or endorsing GLP-1s for weight management. For some, this solution may be the resource that God provided. Currently, it is not the resource God has provided me.