Image Source: Stock Exchange
My husband is an environmental lawyer. He often tells me about his work and something called “toxic torts.” I have to admit…I still, after all this time, have NO idea what a “toxic tort” is, but the tort in the picture above sure looks YUMMY and FAR from toxic to me! HA!
That has nothing to do with what I am sharing today except, perhaps, if you were at a 5 already and someone brought you the yummy tort in the above picture, how likely would you be to maintain your resolve? For me, my answer to this question tells a very long tale about my reality–my commitment (or lack thereof) to eating according to the boundaries that I say God has called me to.
In the following video, Bob and I talk about how sometimes, we just have to say NO to ourselves. There are plenty of strategies that we know for helping ourselves stick with 0 and 5 eating, but the real question is…WILL we DO them? When I WANT the food outside of my boundaries, will I coddle myself and call it “grace?” And believe me! The last thing I want us to do is condemn ourselves! But is there a happy medium? A place where grace tells us to say no to ungodly choices? If God has called us to this primary boundary of eating within the parameter of hunger and satisfaction, maybe grace is that “OOOMPH” that enables me to say NO to a decision to break my boundary. Hmm…I think there is a bible verse that says as much.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope–the appearing
of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
– Titus 2:11-13 NIV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28pPDHTNwmI&w=853&h=480Thoughts for Your Consideration
1. Where is your line between “grace” and “I don’t give a rip?” Do you need to ask God to help you to care? Or is it truly grace?
2. Do you ignore your boundaries as often as you don’t? This is a choice to postpone the realization of your goals. Is that what you mean to do?
3. Are you willing to start telling yourself “NO” a bit more frequently? If not, why not?
4. What do you think of the assertion that “We may need to be mean to ourselves?” What could that mean in a positive way relative to your 0 to 5 eating journey?
5. Is it time to say NO to self…TODAY? Can you make a plan for a possible temptation you will face today? Can you actually detail your plan to say NO to self? What will that look like? Can you do so with joy?
6. Bob said, “If you don’t follow your boundaries consistently, you won’t lose weight.” What do you think? He challenges us to “Do what it takes.” What will it take for you?
7. What are three strategies offered in the video for living within your boundaries? Are any of them doable today?
8. Is the way you are living right now going to lead you to the goals you have? What will it take? Do you like life as it is enough to give up the goals you have? Are you sort of tired of frustrating yourself? 🙂
9. Decision Point: Will you practice today staying inside your boundaries?
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Don’t forget that this week’s online class is TOMORROW, Thursday! Information below:
Please register for Idolatry and Our Eating – OUCH!!!! on Jul 18, 2013 4:00 PM PDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6073684991219825664
You knew we would have to deal with this sooner or later, right? We will be glad we have. Is idolatry something that only people in 3rd world countries struggle with? What IS an idol and what on EARTH does it have to do with our Thin Within eating program and healthy non-dieting boundaries? What does it have to do with our renewing of the mind goals for this summer? BUNCHES! Come on along and see!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
See you tomorrow!
9. Decision Point: Will you practice today staying inside your boundaries?
The answer is “yes”. At 6:46 AM, that is easy to say! Now the real test will be, will I say “yes” at 6:46 PM? Dear God, I can not do it without you, I do not do it on my own, please, dear God, help me. Show me the way to conquer and win this battle.
I am the same way..it is easy this morning but hard later in the day. I think we need to do the game plan in the morning. What will we do at 5pm to help us keep our boundaries…maybe bring out our God List or Truth cards and pray before the battle begins…prepare for the battle…it is the only way we can win this…if I don’t renew my mind somewhere late in the day..I will eat until I go to bed…that is my usual habit…so I have to do something new….just for today..I am going to commit to doing this around 4pm….and see how this changes my night…for me, I have talked about this long enough–now I need to act!!! Pray for me if you remember and I will for you!!
Oh, Marie, how true your words are. And I too, was thinking about my “plan”. I’ve been thinking about this for some time now, but haven’t found the success I’m looking for. Your words are exactly what I am saying “I have talked about this long enough-now I need to act!!!” Yes!! I will pray for you!!! and rejoice that you will be praying for me at the same time!!! Are you central time zone? Is your 4:00 my 4:00?
I am central time zone….midwest..Wisconsin…I will be praying for you!!
Marie, where in Wisconsin? I’ll be at House on the Rock and Mineral Point next week!!! Please, send me a private email at simplydalena@hotmail.com.
Dalena
How did it go yesterday? Did you do your action plan in the evening? I reviewed my journal and prayed for you and I had a victorious night. A good friend of mine passed away on Tues and I have been grieving and food has not looked good to me which is another reason that I was able to stick to my boundaries last night. His passing made me think that I have spent so much energy in my life dealing with this food issue…I need to live for eternity…I need to give up this idol….none of it matters when we see Him face to face…why do I strive and fill myself with food when I can invest my energy into my relationship with my creator with whom I will spend eternity with…Hope you had a good night last night…did you get my email? God Bless
Good Morning, Marie. I’m just reading this, and do now have your email. Thank you!
To all: This is the day that the Lord has made!!!!!!!!!
Today is a NEW DAY!!
I hear you, Dalena! And AMEN to your prayer!
Being mean to ourselves…woohoo! Isn’t there a scripture in Hebrews 12 about discipline bringing the crown of life? I want that! I need to say “no” more.
Me, too, Susan. Right now, I think I feel like God is saying NO to me so often, that I don’t want to say NO to me. Wow…it’s that simple!
Heidi, you consistently hit the nail on the head with me! I really had a rough day yesterday and it was all about NOT denying myself, but indulging myself. After eating outside of the boundary of 0-5 I actually felt physically ill. I never felt that before. I truly feel like it was the Lord letting me know that I had eaten what was not beneficial for me at the time. The verses out of Titus 2:11-13 I had memorized years ago–He can teach me to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts so that I can live soberly, righteously, and godly today–right where I am. Thank you for bringing these verses to my remembrance! I love the video today! I will put some of the strategies in place so that I don’t set myself up for failure. I will practice being firm with myself and say “NO!” to what is eating beyond 5. Thanks Susan for bringing up Hebrews 12! I read the whole chapter—what a blessing—just what I needed to hear today. So many things to write on my truth cards today. 🙂
Thanks, Mary Anne. I know what you are talking about. I think sometimes when I cherish my own sin, not only do I have the physical ramifications, but the spiritual and emotional ones almost magnify the physical detriments. I don’t know if you have found that to be true. I am so thankful for Romans 8:1 that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ!
Perfect day for this post! I have family night supper at church tonight and we always have TONS of food! It will really be a test for me to say “no” to myself, but it is time! I need to have a plan in place before I get to church – I’ll check out the table and see what is available and only get my fist sized portion!
Thank you Heidi, and Bob, for these convicting videos and questions..
I had that little revelation last week to tell myself NO-not to be mean but to let myself know that I can’t have all I want whenever I want and honor God and I can’t have all I want whenever I want and be happy–
What a great way of putting it, Kim!
Such a great video! Thank you! I was so encouraged. I have has company the last week and I’ve had a hard time with social eating and justifying eating outside of boundaries. This was a great reminder to me. Thanks! I’m sorry I haven’t been participating much lately. It’s been crazy here!
Also, I think I’m going to write some or all of these questions in my truth cards.
I’m late in starting this bible study, so I’ve only read these comments today. Was just wondering how its being going with Dalena and Mariewhitemarsh?
Hi Carrie!!! I’m just now reading this. I’m way behind, I’m glad I started today, going backwards. Thanks for asking. Aug 1st I went to the emergency room and was in the hospital for 8 days. Then home for some recovery, and 2 weeks ago had some major surgery. I’ll still be on the mend from that for about a month. But, in the mean time, I’ve started the in person classes that I’ve been leading of TW. This class is the 4th I’ve led, we started a year ago. It is so awesome. And, I’m happy to report, since starting TW 2 years ago, I’ve finally reached that # of “released 40 #s!”. I still have probably about 20 to go, to be at that God Given Ideal weight. But who knows for sure. OK, there is your update on me, how about you?