Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
– Psalm 34:4,5
The enemy is clever.
Trials have hit.
Because of what we have been studying in Barb Ravelings Weight Loss Bible Study, though, I am aware of potentially damaging emotions and thoughts and am diligently on my guard. I know that I could eat my way through this week if I don’t do something PROACTIVELY to prevent that!
I can navigate through the challenges of my trials with a very different approach than previously. The first step is choosing to do this trial differently. So, I resolve: I will do this differently…right now.
Though my “binge-fests” don’t look anything like they did in years past, the “talk to the tail” attitude toward the Lord can still rise up, I am sad to say.
Today, this time, I will not eat my way through my challenges. I will not disregard my body’s hunger/satisfied signals and stuff my emotions with food when I am not hungry.
Instead, I will take my own advice and do this trial differently.
I will think differently. This set of circumstances is divinely appointed for me by God for His glory and my good.
I will magnify God and not the dust mites. This puts everything in it’s proper perspective. If I ponder and consider the trial, it will steadily grow and grow. Have you ever seen a dust mite magnified? Horribly awful looking creatures! They are nothing to be concerned by unless we start thinking about and obsessing about them, effectively making them HUGE in our minds.
Today, I choose to magnify the Lord instead, responding to the psalmist’s invitation. I want to share with you what this looks like for me.
First, I add to my God List. For more information about all of this, check out:
- A Video about the “God List.”
- A post telling what to do with the “God List“ by instead of having a FoodFest, I have a PraiseFest or a Praise FEAST, feasting on the Lord instead. If tasting and seeing that the Lord is good is an invitation made in the Scriptures, I figure indulging in a full on feast of His presence has to be even better!
This is what that looks like for me today. I fill up my soul with spiritual nourishment that satisfies so I don’t turn to food. I focus my mind, heart, and “eyes” on the Lord instead of the “dust mites” in my life right now.
Lord, thank you that you are merciful to the faint (Psalm 6:2). I feel weak today physically, emotionally and spiritually, so I need your mercy. Thank you that you heal me (Psalm 6:2). Thank you that you turn and deliver me (v 4). Thank you that you save because of your unfailing love (v 4). You hear my weeping and my cries for mercy. You accept my prayer, Lord (v 8, 9). I take refuge in you instead of running to anything else (Psalm 7:1). You are a righteous God (Psalm 7:9). You are God Most High and you are my shield (v 10). Lord, your name is majestic in all the earth (Psalm 8:1). You set your glory above the heavens! (Psalm 8:1) You ordain praise from children and infants and today my voice will join theirs in praising you! You silence the foe and avenger (v 2). The heavens are yours, the work of your fingers (v 3). You set the moon and stars in place (v 3). NOTHING is too difficult for you. You who spoke the worlds into existence and blew the lid off the grave, you can do anything. I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I WILL be glad and rejoice in you. I WILL sing praise to your name, O Most High (Psalm 9:1,2). You uphold my right and my cause (v 4). You reign forever (v 7). Reign in my life today, right now. Rule over all the challenges I am facing, Lord. You are a refuge for the oppressed–for me when I am overwhelmed (Psalm 9:9). You have promised never to forsake those who seek you, Lord (v 10). Lord, thank you that praising you this way is such FOOD for my hungry soul. Nothing that I face is worth turning my back on you to run to counterfeit comfort. You are the Great Comforter. Thank you that you are the God of ALL comfort. Be exalted in my life today. I choose you.
How about you? Can you add anything to this Praise Fest in the comments? Join me in magnifying our God instead of the dust mites of life! It is MUCH more satisfying that bingeing on food.
Heidi – I am praying for you. Doing things differently can be very challenging. That is what I am finding with this study. While I thought that I really “got” this thin within thing, there are parts of me that are so resistant to letting go of habits, ways of thinking, and crutches. And I realize that there is some fear involved in the resistance. You are a great example for all of us. I’m off to pray for you and all of us in this study.
Thanks so much, CMK. I covet your prayers! The enemy is so crafty! But I also see TREMENDOUS strides that are being made in my thinking AND acting. I am so thankful for Barb and for you all. Doing this with you all has been making a HUGE difference in my life!
Eating our way through a trial, magnifying dust mites. Heidi, I love your imagery and your honesty. Consider yourself hugged.
Thanks, Karen. Back Atcha! 🙂
Wonderful reflection and wonderful way to praise Our Good God. When we put the focus on Him we Increase in faith, strength, and trust. This food for the soul is so much more satisfying than relying on comfort food. Thanks for sharing your intimate moments with the Lord. It is all so encouraging. God bless and know that I am praying for you.
Thanks, Lisa. You are in my prayers as well. I have been thinking of you a lot today. 🙂
Hi Heidi,
I just read this and feel so sad that you are hurting right now. You are so strong and faithful and such a good influence on others. Please know that I am praying for you. It is no mistake that while you are having such pain in your heart, Jesus suffered that same pain when he went to the cross. He knows how you feel. Be blessed this Easter weekend and I will call you next week!
Love,
Susannah
Hi, Susannah. Thanks, my friend. I know that God intends this for good. I just have to keep my eyes focused on him. Thank you for the encouraging words. It means so much to me!
“Today, this time, I will not eat my way through my challenges. I will not disregard my body’s hunger/satisfied signals and stuff my emotions with food when I am not hungry” I want to eat….. I want to stuff my self to stuff my emotions. I have spent my week off work w/ my daugher and grand-daughter. My daughter has chronic lymes, and her new meds are making her feel really sick this week. I wanted to take our grand-daughter over night tonight to give my daughter a break, but hubby has to work tomorrow and he asked that we have her over on Friday night instead. I am feeling torn between helping my daugher and respecting my husband, feeling guilt tons of guilt. I want to eat…and I did eat. But thankfully God led me to this post before it became a full flege binge. Guys, I could use your prayers tonight. I know the enemy is using guilt to get me, butI am having a hard time feeling the Lord right now! Linda
Lord, GOD! We call on your name for our sister! We know the enemy wants to take her down and wants to use guilt to do it. There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ. Lord, please help Linda to experience this challenge as a wonderful training opportunity to be trained in godliness. I pray that she will make provision for her SPIRIT. That she will delight in renewing her mind now…and maybe again now…and maybe again NOW! 🙂 Lord, I pray that she will know that her feelings do NOT define fact. Facts…that you are God, intimately aware and involved in her life, can define her emotions. I pray she might jump to next week’s study and do the emotional eating questions! I pray that you will show her that you are there and that you care. Help her to be still and KNOW that you are God. You are with her. Thank you Lord for the victory!
God bless you Heidi. I have printed your prayer to help me learn how to pray God’s Word back to Him. Praying this way keeps my mind from wondering down rabbit burroughs, keeps the focus on Him and off me. It firmly plants my feet next to streams of living water, and when the grass withers and the flowers fade I stand fast in the knowledge that the Word of my Lord lasts forever. Satan is aware of your works for the kingdom of God, there is no surprise that this trial is upon. Prayers and hugs to you.
Thanks, Lesley. I so appreciate it.
Lord I pray for Linda to hear your voice, to feel your strength, and to be still in your presence. Oh how great thou art and so worthy of praise.
Amen!
Thank You Father for the blessings you have given us where two or three are gathered there is a strong cord that cannot easily be broken. I praise you for your protection, guidance, and holy spirit who corrects us so that we can be wholly captivated by your presence and not in captivity by other things filling that comfort we can only receive from you. Please continue to do a work in all our hearts so that we are so very aware of your presence when temptations comes so that we see you and not the food in our minds thoughts or in our vision. Thank you for with you all things are possible. Amen
Yes! I agree with Jen’s prayer! Thank you, Lord!
Thank you all for your prayers! Linda
How did it go, Linda? 🙂