What is VIM? Let me use an example.
For most adults in America, one area we frequently wish to change is being overweight. If you take all the weight loss products, all the weight loss programs, all the health club memberships, and all the diet books, then you add it all together, you are looking at billions of billions of dollars. Yet, most people simply go through a cycle of losing and gaining. Most people don’t see permanent results. Why? Could it be they went directly to means, without really considering vision and intention?
In vision you think about what you would look like if you lost weight. Would you be more attractive? The bit of narcissism in all of us would enjoy that. Then you think about what you would feel like if you didn’t have to carry around those extra pounds every day. The aches and pains in your joints. Just the overall dragging that goes on by the end of the day. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to face the world as a “lean, mean, fighting machine?” (If you haven’t seen Stripes, do so; classic Bill Murray) Do you have a vision for weight loss?
The vision is not enough. You can’t just sit there daydreaming about how great it would be to lose weight. You can’t just read testimonials. You have to carefully consider what life would be like as a slimmer you. You have to count the cost. Jesus knows that.
Luke 14:28 (NLT)
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?”
After this careful consideration, if you are truly ready this time, then you state you intentions. Maybe you confide in a friend that this time you really mean it. You have a vision for weight loss. You have the intention to do what it takes to achieve it. Now, the final step is the easiest. How to do it. The means.
Obesity is most often spiritual at its core. David Housholder, in Light Your Church On Fire Without Burning It Down, has this to say,
“One only has to think of our grossly overweight society, and the massive trillions spent on resulting medical care trying to cure the symptoms caused by obesity, when there is deep inner pain trying to get covered by overeating. Why not go right to the cause?”
Healing prayer will deliver a person from this inner pain. Along with this, healthy habits follow. Proper diet and exercise, and sleep are important for weight loss. A healthy lifestyle includes these three.
Healing prayer and healthy habits are the means to losing what we are dragging through life.
You can see what practicing vision, intention, and means can do for weight loss. What would it look like to change a whole life? Through VIM, you yield yourself to the power of the Holy Spirit for lasting transformation.
Where do you need healing?
