Answers to a Dangerous Prayer

Catherine was eager for change. When someone handed her The Purpose Driven Life, she jumped in head first — soaking up every word. Finishing the book and sermon series, she made a commitment to make Saddleback her home and get plugged into the life-giving community. She tried joining a small group, then started her own, but neither worked out like she hoped. Though discouraged, Catherine didn’t want to give up. She resolved not to quit. Pastor Rick’s words inspired her to change — her lips formed the words as she spoke to God a very dangerous prayer; “God, use me.”  

Catherine hobbled through the doors of Saddleback with two well-worn crutches — shopping and eating. She wanted control, but these were old, entrenched habits. She frequently found herself giving in to one, the other, or both. “Food was my drug of choice,” Catherine confessed. “It was a way I could numb out the world around me; shopping was a close second.”

From an early age, Catherine struggled to control her weight. She was on and off diet routines, putting the latest fad diets to use and avoiding exercise at all costs. “I considered exercise cruel and unusual punishment,” Catherine says. Her diet journey was a roller coaster ride that never seemed to get her anywhere. The inconsistent results left her feeling discouraged.

Catherine wanted to change, but she desperately needed help. Turning to The Daniel PlanⓇ and Financial Freedom Workshop, she hoped to improve her diet and debt for good. “There are five F’s in The Daniel Plan; however, God’s plan for me had a sixth F — finances,” Catherine shares. “I knew that my finances were a monstrous wall blocking my ‘use me’ journey.”

Catherine held nothing back to get plugged into church. She quickly completed Classes 101–401, was baptized, and attended the Financial Freedom Workshop. After the workshop, she put together an aggressive plan to get free from debt.

Her journey to healthy living and wise financial management brought her out of debt and into incredible, supportive relationships. The friendships she built through The Daniel Plan fitness classes got her up and running — literally. She formed a small group in her home and began using The Daniel Plan small group study. “The Daniel Plan study and Daniel Plan rally were such a gift and an eye opening experience, “ Catherine says.

As she walked through her kitchen and pantry, she saw a lot of food she should avoid. Remembering the failures of the past, Catherine didn’t want any of these foods tempting her. She immediately cleaned out her pantry, removing unhealthy food, and began the detox portion of The Daniel Plan.

“By no means was I perfect,” Catherine recalled. “The concept of using slip-ups as a way to learn and help you move forward was a gift.” She stopped punishing herself; avoiding the downward spiral of binge eating and shopping that haunted her past. “With God by my side, I’ve learned to just observe the event, look for clues as to what really happened, take that valuable information as a gift, and move forward.”

Her quality of life began to improve. The aches and pains that daily bothered her soon vanished. She had blamed her age for the discomfort, but quickly realized gluten had been the culprit.

After several months working through The Daniel Plan, Catherine felt she needed to step up her exercise routine to the next level. She had heard about the Triathlon Ministry and reached out to them to join them for training. “I knew how much The Daniel Plan had helped me with my food, and now I was praying for help with fitness,” Catherine says. She hated exercise, but surrounding herself with encouraging and supportive people changed her attitude.

“I had friends, and I thought the ‘secret sauce’ metaphor in The Daniel Plan book was hokey,” Catherine says. “It amazes me how blind I had been to the small group friend connection.” Her small group banded together, working through an exercise routine that would keep her on pace to complete her first triathlon. She found herself actually enjoying exercise for the first time in her life.

Catherine remembers her first long-distance swim with Julie, a member of her small group and seasoned triathlon coach. Julie calmly reassured the visibly terrified Catherine as they worked side by side to complete the swim. The other small group members came alongside her, often meeting up after work. They worked as a team to ensure they completed their daily bike, run, or swim.

“I am in the best health I have ever been in,” Catherine says excitedly. “The Saddleback Triathlon Ministry came together for fitness — little did we know that we would gain so much more from it; a fellowship of friends that is rooted in God’s love.”

Catherine’s journey began with just a few words in a simple prayer; now she is using her story to encourage others that struggle with their health. She has been a shining light to her family, church, and community. Catherine loves connecting with people interested in triathlon training, helping them get started on the path to great health.

Your finances and health are two of the most crucial assets in life. They are also the easiest to waste and lose. Don’t let bad habits from the past determine your future. Resolve to get things in order this new year. We are here to help.

Click HERE to learn more about The Daniel Plan.

Click HERE to learn more about Saddleback’s financial workshops.