Happy Monday!
Here we are again, looking at some serious issues that many of us have faced at one time or another. Sometimes, it is very difficult to categorize these issues. They hurt when we do. It makes us vulnerable, instead of strong and invincible.
There are days that the “clean eating” plan flies out the window and slams it shut behind it. I have been at this a long time. I know what I should eat and I know how much of it I should eat. I know if I indulge in more than a bite or so of sugar, my body will be letting me know with increased pain.
So… it should be easy, right? And yet, it is a constant, battle between my mind and my taste buds.
Food can be a great source of comfort. I grew up in a home where pretty well everything – good, bad, or ugly, was commemorated with food. Got a wedding, there was food; got a –funeral, there was food: got a family, let’s eat! It was good, old fashioned comfort food too. If there was no occasion, then one needed to be created so there would be food!
What if we stop and think, every time we reach for food, just stop and ask yourself why? Are you hungry or are you bored? Are you mad or are you sad? Rise above emotional eating.
Allow yourself to have some treats, but be sure they are not too often and not too big! Try not to remove entire food categories out of your life. That’s generally a bad idea nutritionally and only makes you crave it more.
Be mindful of what you eat. Sit down at the table to eat and accept responsibility for what you put into your mouth. Enjoy every single, well-planned bite. If you mess up, forgive yourself and do better the next time.
Above all
Pray Unceasingly!!
Lois
Becky at So Very Blessed <becky@soveryblessed.com>
This morning, I was journaling some thoughts about whole-heartedness that have been on my mind lately.
I was listing out some of the things in my life that reflect my brokenness (bitterness, worry, stress, numbing my emotions, etc) as well as characteristics of wholeness in Christ (peace, satisfaction, trust, rest, etc).
When I was listing those traits of my brokenness, my pen hesitated.
I didn’t want to write down that I’d been feeling bitter.
I didn’t want to feel bitter in the first place! But, the fact of the matter, is that “bitterness” was the accurate word to write down. It was true. That’s what was going on in my heart.
And I needed to admit it. I needed to recognize it so that I could more clearly see and feel my need for Christ.
That word we don’t talk about?
Gluttony.
It’s an uncomfortable word that makes me squirm. It feels accusatory to even throw it out there, but I struggled with gluttony.
I used to be stuck in a pattern of regularly overeating more than my body needed (which led to me being 100 pounds overweight), but admitting it out loud or on paper with the directness of that word just felt too big.
But the thing is, the Bible doesn’t shy away from recognizing and directly naming the things that get in the way of our relationship with God.
It’s not about pointing a finger of blame or heaping shame on your shoulders.
It’s about recognizing the real state of our hearts behind our unhealthy habits.
Admitting we have a problem and seeing how much we need Jesus to overcome it is such an important step to true, heart-level healing.
(And, please remember, that admitting you struggle with gluttony does not change your identity. No matter how much you weigh or how much you eat, you are a child of God, first and foremost. That is unchangeable.)
To be continued…