“SPANX” You Very Much!

Sweatpants and socks, flannel and fleece. If fabric were edible, these would be the “comfort foods” of my wardrobe. It’s almost like wearing a warm hug whenever I don my winter apparel. If sweatpants and fleece are comfort foods, then Spanx are the brussel sprouts of my clothes. It should be noted that I abhor brussel sprouts!

Spanx are a tight-fitting spandex undergarment much like an old-fashioned girdle that radically restricts any and all movement. Spanx serve a twofold purpose. First, they suck in flabby thighs, tushies and tummies to make them appear smooth under clothes. The second purpose (and probably the most important) is, Spanx keep us in check making it nearly impossible to over-indulge in high caloric, decadent holiday foods.

A few weeks ago, as I was wrestling my menopausal midriff and Sicilian hips into two layers of Spanx for a holiday party, I had a spiritual epiphany. This awareness, the likely result of restricted oxygen flow to my brain from the additional layer of spandex, birthed a temporary come to Jesus moment: What if the Holy Spirit operates in much the same fashion as a good pair of spandex briefs?

For arguments sake, Spanx restrict our ability to overeat by increasing pressure on the abdomen, thereby making caloric over-indulgence downright uncomfortable. By the same token, whenever we’re about to make a stupid decision; speak our minds when we shouldn’t or do anything that’s contrary to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit increases internal pressure in our spirit-man making us decidedly uncomfortable. This pressure is oftentimes referred to as “a bad feeling;” “a gut feeling,” “instinct or common sense,” or even “women’s intuition.” The Holy Spirit can and does administer whatever pressure is necessary to get our attention. And let’s not forget — Spanx hide under our clothes so we look good. The Holy Spirit hides in our hearts to make us look good (or more Christ-like) when we follow His leading.

With the holiday season in full swing we need a good pair of Spanx now more than ever – BUT we also need the pressure of the Holy Spirit more than ever, as well. Those relatives we only see at Christmas who make us a little crazy won’t be able to push our buttons if we heed the promptings, or gentle pressure of the Holy Spirit that urges us to keep our mouth shut (even when we feel the need to contribute uninvited opinions).

If we desire to radiate the love of Christ and His goodness to the lost – not just at Christmas, but every day – we need the Holy Spirit to keep us in check. So the next time you feel your airway restricted and a squeezing pressure in your gut, it might not be your woman’s intuition or your Spanx strangling you. It might just be the presence of the Holy Spirit wrapping you in a warm hug directing your path and thereby saving you from yourself and the dictates of your foolish flesh.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of your flesh.” Galatians 5:15 (ESV)

Blessings in Christ,
Kathy K.