Just in the past few days, one of my online “friends” posted that she was fat. Now I’ve only seen pictures of her, but physically she is not fat, so I was intrigued.

She went on to quote a verse of Scripture about being fat because she trusted in the Lord. What a great way to get someone’s attention! Use the King James Version of a familiar passage that tells us how to be fat.

I wondered what other characteristics or traits might make me “fat,” so I headed to biblegateway.com and found a few more examples. So here are the few I chose to share and their counterpart in a modern version. Enjoy!

“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” (Psalm 92:13-15 – KJV)

“Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (Psalm 92:13-15 – NIV)

While the words may seem different, notice that the word flourish has remained. We will flourish when we are firmly rooted with God and call upon Him as our Rock. I guess I’m fat too.

“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” (Proverbs 13:4 – KJV)

“The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” (Proverbs 13:4 – NIV)

Whether we call it satisfied or fat, when we are diligent to God’s precepts and ways, we are filled with Him. His love, grace, joy, hope, righteousness (and so much more) fills us until there is no more room. Isn’t it fun to be okay with being fat?

“The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.” (Proverbs 15:30 – KJV)

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” (Proverbs 15:30 – NIV)

We all know how it feels to receive good news and a smile…and now we can equate them with being fat! Let’s be sure to share our fattiness with others. A quick smile, a word of encouragement. It doesn’t take much to pass this goodness along.

“He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.” (Proverbs 28:25 – KJV)

“A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.” (Proverbs 28:25 – NIV)

God asks us over and over through Scripture to trust in Him. That’s when we prosper and become fat. God will take care of us as we place more and more of our lives in His Hands. I want to be really fat in this area.

While I am not promoting the idea of becoming fat physically, I am asking that we learn to gorge ourselves in God’s goodness. To allow layers of good fat to encompass our hearts so that others would see God’s love through us.

I believe from these verses we can say, “I’m fat” when we put all of our trust in God, when we follow His precepts, when we are firmly rooted in God, and when we are willing to share an encouraging word.

Let’s say it together. “I’m fat!”

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna