What is Your S.H.A.P.E.? Part 1

People are obsessed with their shape. According to ABC News, $20 Billion is “the annual revenue of the U.S. weight-loss industry, including diet books, diet drugs and weight-loss surgeries.” They go on to say that 108 million people are on “diets in the United States. Dieters typically make four to five attempts per year.” ABC also reported that the average celebrity endorsement of a weight-loss program is anywhere from $500,000 to $3 million. Wow, that is a lot of money tied up in our physical person! Feel free to look up the article from ABC here.

I am not stating that working on your health is not important. On the contrary, I think it is very important. I, myself, have a gym membership and I attend it five times per week. However, what this ABC article does not show is how much of this money is spent on products designed to give you a quick fix. It does not show the number of products people buy under the guise of “no diet and exercise necessary. Just take this pill.” These products promise all the results with none of the work.

As a culture, we love hearing “all the results with none of the work.” We love to take short cuts. We are addicted to instant results, at least the thought of instant ones. This type of pursuit has left our culture in a constant state of the newest and greatest thing. We are always looking for an easier way. This has led us to be a very restless and unhappy culture.

Instead of focusing an over excessive amount time, money and energy on quick fixes for our physical appearance hoping it will make us happy, look within. I challenge you to discover your S.H.A.P.E . God intentionally formed each and everyone of us. You are not an accident. You have something to offer. Look at these scriptures… Ephesians 2:10 10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” and 1 Corinthians 12:7 “Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits.” How awesome! God had a plan for us! And happiness, true happiness, is found when we are operating according to God’s plan.

Part of figuring out the plan for your life is figuring out you, your S.H.A.P.E. This stands for…Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience. You see, God has hardwired you to be able accomplish whatever He wants you to do and discovering your S.H.A.P.E. will be a major component in this process.

This post is the first in a series of posts that will walk you through your S.H.A.P.E. I can’t wait to start this journey of self-discovery with you. Until next time!

What are some ways you have attempted to find happiness in your life?

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