Surrender to Win: How I Lost Over 120 Pounds Through Biblical Stewardship

Introduction

In this post, I’m sharing the mental and spiritual transformation that finally enabled me to lose over 120 pounds in the past year and break a cycle that felt impossible to escape — the endless loop of struggle, frustration, shame, and hopelessness. If you’re tired of starting and stopping, carrying guilt, and feeling stuck, this is for you. I started Shepherd’s Stone because I believe God put it on my heart to share my story and offer real hope to men and women walking the same road I was on. I’m not a natural “on-camera” guy, and I’m not a certified trainer or nutritionist. I’m just a regular guy who loves Jesus and got tired of the same old cycle. The most common question I get now is, “Man, you look great — what are you doing?” Sometimes it’s just polite conversation, but often I hear the real question behind it: “I need that, can I do that too?” A quick chat in the church parking lot wasn’t enough to give people real hope. That’s why I created Shepherd’s Stone — a place to share the full story and practical, scripture-based guidance to help you on your own journey.

You’re Not Alone

Let me tell you where I was just one year ago. I was 325 pounds. I’d look in the mirror and ask myself, “Is this what the temple of the Holy Spirit is supposed to look like?” “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) I want to be clear: Being overweight doesn’t mean God loves you less. But I also couldn’t ignore the reality that my weight was keeping me from walking with Christ the way I wanted to.

The Turning Point

One day, feeling completely stuck, I prayed — and the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 came to mind. Jesus told His disciples, “You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37). A small boy brought five loaves and two fish. It wasn’t much, but in the hands of the Lord, it was more than enough. That’s when surrender became real for me. I still had to do the work, but I no longer had to do it alone in my own strength. God would multiply what I brought to Him. This truth was reinforced by the story of David and Goliath. David didn’t wait for the giant to come to him. He picked up a stone, ran toward the battle, and declared, “The battle is the Lord’s.”

Real Transformation Goes Deeper

Losing weight was never just about the scale. Real change is about disciplining your body so it doesn’t rule you. “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27)

The real question is: What’s your why?

Wanting to look better or feel better is fine, but those reasons often fade when things get hard. The motivation that lasts is this — glorifying God with your body.

A New Identity

This journey isn’t easy. You’ll have good days and bad days. But one bad day doesn’t have to become two, and two doesn’t have to become three. I’ve learned to stop seeing God’s commands as restrictions and start seeing them as promises of who I am becoming in Christ. I’m no longer just denying myself — I’m embracing the new man God is shaping.

Final Encouragement

If you’re reading this and you feel stuck like I did, hear this clearly: Your giant is not too big. You don’t have to be perfect — you just have to start and stay faithful. Surrender the outcome to God… but show up and do the work. That’s how real transformation happens.

Remember: The battle is the Lord’s…

Now pick up your stone and run at your giant.