Esau’s story in the Bible is a cautionary tale about what not to do! According to Genesis 25:29-34, he lost his birthright over a bowl of stew!
While we might shake our heads at his poor decision, how many of us are making similar trades?
I'll explain what I mean in just a moment.
Esau’s trade was described as proof that he "despised his birthright."
In
Biblical days, the birthright was of great importance. As the firstborn, Esau was entitled to receive a double portion of what the other sons received of their father's inheritance. He would become the leader of family. Great respect and honor were his.
Yet the Bible says that Esau despised this. You might ask, "How could someone hate his blessing?"
I looked up the word 'despise' because I thought it only meant "hate." But in addition to hate, I discovered that "despise" also means "unworthy of consideration or notice."
At the moment of decision, Esau judged his birthright as unworthy of consideration or notice. So he lost it because he did not properly value
it from the beginning!
What do you despise?
Using that last definition, do you despise good health?
I see good health as a wonderful birthright because it is easier to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives when live strong, healthy, and vibrant daily.
Ask yourself, "What is my 'bowl of stew' for which I’m trading my health birthright?"
Mine was Pepperidge Farm's coconut cake! It was my binge food of choice.
What we despise, we tend to lose. However what we value, we tend to keep.
Say this statement out loud, "Thank you
Lord for my health. My health is worthy of my notice and consideration."
A phrase popped into my mind when faced with a strong temptation to trade in my health birthright recently:
"I
discipline myself so I can help somebody else."
I pray that you too will regain and hold on to your health birthright so that you can inspire others to do the same. You can do this through transforming "despise" into "worthy."
Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor