Believe...The Voice of Truth

*photo courtesy of NBC.

Last night on The Biggest Loser...it came to that point in the competition when the players were divided into the Blue Team and the Black Team. We knew it was coming, but didn't know just how it would take place. After a challenge that really did almost make me throw up watching it (having to eat unGodly amounts of cookies and other unhealthy foods) Michael gained the power to choose the teams. He got to pick who would be trained by whom, and how the teams would be formed.

Michael played the game, which was expected...but he REALLY stacked his own team. To say the teams were unfairly matched would be the understatement of the year. When Bob and Jillian saw their new teams in the gym, neither of them were pleased. Jillian likened her new Black Team to David going up against Goliath with his slingshot. It immediately reminded me of my favorite Casting Crowns song..."Voice of Truth". Jillian had to train her team even harder to compensate for their "weakness" against the Blue Team, and Bob had to train his team to keep working hard and not get overconfident.

At the weigh-in, it sure looked like the Blue Team would easily come out ahead. Michael himself lost 15 pounds, and he was sure that they had it in the bag. (I guess that's an accomplishment in itself...losing 15 pounds after eating all of that junk at the challenge!) One by one, the Black Team members got on the scale, and after the first couple of them weighed in, the numbers certainly didn't look threatening. Something amazing happened though...the numbers started getting better, until it was down to Ashley. She need to lose more than 8 pounds to beat the Blue Team. She lost 10!

It's what Jillian was hoping for...but she still was amazed by her team. Bob was shocked too, and also knew that his team had gotten overconfident about the weigh-in. This episode teaches two important lessons...first of all, no matter what you are up against, you can still conquer it. And secondly, just because the odds are in your favor, don't underestimate your opponent.

Even though I have been doing a good job in facing down my fears now, I still needed this lesson, and I think most of us do. We still get in situations that look impossible and we start feeling defeated right away. I've had some of those feelings lately myself, even with all of the progress I've made. I needed the reminder that even though I'm standing before the giant with just a sling and a stone, God gives me the strength and courage I need to overcome it. And to my opponents, whether they be human or other forces...watch out, because I listen and believe the Voice of Truth.