As much as we try to avoid it or control it, hunger–both physical and spiritual–is a good thing. It is a constant reminder of how dependent we are on God to meet our every need. Our hunger gives us a continuous opportunity to draw near to the One who is our comfort and source of life. HEAL book, page 56-57
It is SOOOoooo much easier to focus on externals like body, weight, our food…than it is to focus on what is really going on…the deep things, like the heart hunger.
By focusing on externals–our diets, our weight, our eating or not eating–we avoid confronting the real issues in our lives: our fears, unresolved grief, emotions, relationships, rebellion, and insecurities. HEAL, page 57
In what ways does this statement from page 57 resonate with you in your life?
In the HEAL book, this statement is followed by this question: “Who or what has hurt you the most?” We are then encouraged to ask God to show us how these people or experiences have affected our lives. I want to urge you to do that right now. But do so allowing the Holy Spirit full access to you, your heart, your mind, so that he might minister to you personally.
What do you think this may have to do with your quest to change physically, emotionally and spiritually? You can ask the Lord about that as well.
I found that the answers to these questions have had a radical impact on how I view food, what I “use” it for, my relationship with God, how I view my body and a whole host of things…all that impact me at varying levels. Some people may minimize that there is any need or value in analyzing this, but God has shown me that I don’t operate in a vacuum. These things have predisposed me to experience difficulty with food, eating, and my body. Sin is still sin, true, and I must choose to repent each day of my life of the sin I have committed, but understanding some of the “why” behind my struggle has actually helped me to do this as well. God’s kindness leads me to repentance. Understanding that I am not crazy, but that there are *reasons* I struggle, helps me so much!
When I ask the Lord to show me the root of these things, as painful as his answer(s) may be, it is in that place where true healing may begin to take place.
Hi Heidi,Today I had a sort of "revelation" and it fits in generally with the messages we have been learning.Every Wednesday I lead about 150 preschoolers and kindergarteners in songs for a chapel service. We have a lot of fun and it is a blast. Well, today I was leading them in the song "Jesus Loves Me" as we always sing this song right before the children's sermon.I have done this song with them in the same way I did it this morning many, many, many times….but today it hit me.I was singing "Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so!" And as we were all singing it I looked across the angelic faces of those precious children who were singing it with all their hearts.Jesus whispered in my ear (yes, as I am leading up front this song….and singing it…Jesus is whispering to me!!!) "Look child. They don't care what they look like or what they weigh or any of that. They just know I love them. And I love you just as you are right now, too child."I almost broke down and started crying right there! I was almost breathless as I was singing. Wow. Thank you, Jesus that you love me. May we all be able to come to you as a little child, just ready to receive Your love and Your leading.
Hi Heidi,Today I had a sort of "revelation" and it fits in generally with the messages we have been learning.Every Wednesday I lead about 150 preschoolers and kindergarteners in songs for a chapel service. We have a lot of fun and it is a blast. Well, today I was leading them in the song "Jesus Loves Me" as we always sing this song right before the children's sermon.I have done this song with them in the same way I did it this morning many, many, many times….but today it hit me.I was singing "Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so!" And as we were all singing it I looked across the angelic faces of those precious children who were singing it with all their hearts.Jesus whispered in my ear (yes, as I am leading up front this song….and singing it…Jesus is whispering to me!!!) "Look child. They don't care what they look like or what they weigh or any of that. They just know I love them. And I love you just as you are right now, too child."I almost broke down and started crying right there! I was almost breathless as I was singing. Wow. Thank you, Jesus that you love me. May we all be able to come to you as a little child, just ready to receive Your love and Your leading.
Hehe, I wasn't sure which day to post on – each one has so much good stuff!Hunger IS a really good thing! It's like Heidi's watch timer – it reminds of of what we need, when we need it!I've had an epiphany, of sorts, this week about beneficial food choices and food machinery (each time I recognize a new food machinery its becomes more and more subtle). Although, it's really more about contentment in God's provision.I realized that I always want "yummy" food – whatever that is according to my definition of the moment.I may have food at my disposal, but I'm not thankful for it and I do not choose it as a beneficial food because it's not what "I want".I think the Lord is trying to show me to be grateful for His abundant provision and to not give in to my flesh's desires. I want to learn to be content with the good/healthy foods that He provides for me.Thanks ladies!Yvonne
Hehe, I wasn't sure which day to post on – each one has so much good stuff!Hunger IS a really good thing! It's like Heidi's watch timer – it reminds of of what we need, when we need it!I've had an epiphany, of sorts, this week about beneficial food choices and food machinery (each time I recognize a new food machinery its becomes more and more subtle). Although, it's really more about contentment in God's provision.I realized that I always want "yummy" food – whatever that is according to my definition of the moment.I may have food at my disposal, but I'm not thankful for it and I do not choose it as a beneficial food because it's not what "I want".I think the Lord is trying to show me to be grateful for His abundant provision and to not give in to my flesh's desires. I want to learn to be content with the good/healthy foods that He provides for me.Thanks ladies!Yvonne
Wow…you girls sure encourage me and cause me to face things I need to face. Thank you both for posting.Deanna, on Weds. night the youth pastor shared something that struck me on a similar vein…it was that if I am in Christ, I stand as one pure before him…no matter what I have done, who I have been with…no matter what…in Christ, I am pure. Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for me so that, in him, I might become the righteousness of God. He longs for my worship to be an expression out of that purity which he has given to me…Where is the worry/concern/obsession and paranoia about my size, food, body in this? It is no where! It has no value whatsoever. Oh, how I wish that I, too, could remember constantly…YES, Jesus LOVES ME. YES…YES…YES…Jesus Loves me…Yvonne, wow…I have a stronghold. I really do. It can be "managed" (at times), but it is still a stronghold. It is "yummy food." I don't subscribe to the fact that food shouldn't be "yummy" but "yummy" for me typically means SWEET. I really wonder if "sweet" hasn't been a stronghold and remains a stronghold in my life. I believe it isn't something that God just wants me to "manage." How like an addict that sounds! I must realize that it manages me in so many ways instead. I need to die to self in this! YIKES! Thank you for the thoughtful comments.
Wow…you girls sure encourage me and cause me to face things I need to face. Thank you both for posting.Deanna, on Weds. night the youth pastor shared something that struck me on a similar vein…it was that if I am in Christ, I stand as one pure before him…no matter what I have done, who I have been with…no matter what…in Christ, I am pure. Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for me so that, in him, I might become the righteousness of God. He longs for my worship to be an expression out of that purity which he has given to me…Where is the worry/concern/obsession and paranoia about my size, food, body in this? It is no where! It has no value whatsoever. Oh, how I wish that I, too, could remember constantly…YES, Jesus LOVES ME. YES…YES…YES…Jesus Loves me…Yvonne, wow…I have a stronghold. I really do. It can be "managed" (at times), but it is still a stronghold. It is "yummy food." I don't subscribe to the fact that food shouldn't be "yummy" but "yummy" for me typically means SWEET. I really wonder if "sweet" hasn't been a stronghold and remains a stronghold in my life. I believe it isn't something that God just wants me to "manage." How like an addict that sounds! I must realize that it manages me in so many ways instead. I need to die to self in this! YIKES! Thank you for the thoughtful comments.