Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.—Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

My barely-awake eyes finally focused on the number on the scale. The realization hit hard. Despite all of my efforts, the scale had barely moved from last week’s number. Disappointment and frustration flooded my soul.

I have been dieting, on and off, since I was a teenager—which equates to fifty years when you do the math. A sluggish metabolism is partly to blame—I quickly gain weight, but lose it s l o w l y. All my years of yo-yo dieting has only exacerbated the problem.

Two months ago I enrolled in a new weight loss program. Everything looked promising in the beginning. But now, as is always my experience, the weight loss has slowed significantly. Frustration and disappointment quickly gave way to anger. 

I felt angry at my own body for being incapable of losing weight more quickly. Which really means I was angry with God. Why did He give me a body with such a slow metabolism? 

Being angry with God isn’t justified. But it is human. In the Psalms, David often poured out his frustrations, disappointments, and even anger with God, to God. He wrestled in prayer until his heart returned to its proper place—trusting in the sovereignty of God.

The author of Hebrews gives us an incredible image of what it looks like when we approach God in this way: 

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NIV)

The hierarchy is clear: God sits on a throne. But it is a throne of grace. So we can approach with confidence, knowing He wants to help us—with anything we need. 

You may not share my weight struggle. But we all wrestle with something that tempts us to be angry with God. No one has the perfect body or the perfect life. When we take our struggles to the throne of grace, we find the help we need—although it may take a different form than what we expect. 

When I went to God that morning, I wanted Him to transform my metabolism into a fuel-efficient, fast-burning one. Instead I received mercy and grace—and felt the Spirit urging me to extend these same gifts to my body. 

The body God gave me is amazing (Psalm 139:14). Despite my age and the extra weight, I don’t need any medications. And I believe it is doing its best to respond to my new eating and exercising regiments. 

My frustration with a slow metabolism exposed a deeper, spiritual struggle. It’s hard for me to be patient with myself and to experience peace in all circumstances. The mercy and grace I received from God cultivated patience with my body and peace in my struggle. God knows I need these fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) more than a faster metabolism.

The Hebrews writer makes it clear: God wants to help us. And when we approach His throne of grace, we know He will never give us anything less than what we truly need. 

Dear Heavenly Father, it’s so comforting to know You sit on a throne of grace and are willing to help us with all of our struggles. When we approach you, we know our desired solution may be different from Yours. Thank You for giving us what we ultimately need. Help us to trust in Your sovereignty as You continue to mold us into the image of Your son. We pray in His name. Amen.