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One of the best times for me to renew my mind is when I am on my way to a meal out or an event where I know I could possibly be tempted to break my boundaries. I use the drive time (when I am alone) to speak truth into my life and to recommit (out loud!) to honoring the Lord with my eating and drinking.
Sometimes I record these “sessions” so that I can share them with you in case they can be helpful, but when my husband heard the first of these recordings he asked me some questions. From his questions have come some thoughts–some preliminaries–that I want to share with you.
First, even though I have been at this diligently since 2006 (and less consistently since 1999), I still work hard at it. God uses it to cause me to pray to him, to lean on him in a very tangible way. This has built my intimacy with him in many respects.
Secondly, even though these recordings may sound like they are “a lot of work,” it has become my nature to pray this way, to speak truth into my own life this way. It isn’t as much work as it may seem because I experience an intimacy with God that infuses my life with a truckload of joy! Truly! It is my joy to lean on God this way.
Third, these are examples of what I call “renewing my mind on the fly.” I do it in the face of important challenges to my boundaries. The first of these was when I was on my way to meet a friend for lunch at a Mexican restaurant. The quality of that recording is minimal. I hope you won’t be put off by the “preaching” nature of the recording. I am preaching to ME. I do this because it is truth, and it is worth it to me. It works for me to remind me of truth:
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The second recording is below. I renewed my mind on my way to a home fellowship group when I was feeling a lot of emotion and didn’t want to give in to eating dessert once I arrived.
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How about you? Do you have some potentially challenging situations before you today? Can you renew your mind “on the fly” before you arrive? What will you do to maintain your 0 to 5 eating boundaries?
Thank you for sharing with us the way you renew your mind before a tempting situation or any difficult situation. I love the way you speak truth to your spirit, mind, and body whenever you need to. Following the coaching advice you gave me a couple of days ago, i I, too, am renewing my mind before I get home so I don’t find myself eating in a rush and then eating too much. It has been very helpful so far. My goal is to have my body listen to my spirit rather than the reverse. Thanks again!
You are such a teachable, sweet, spirit, Lisa. I am so glad that the audio is helpful! Thank you for being such a blessing to me.
When you said “it’s not deprivation, it’s protection”, I just about fell off my chair…I have never considered this truth! All I can say to this is WOW – this was a home run!
I am so encouraged to hear that every day is still a struggle for you, and at the same time I am ticked off because you affirm this will always be a struggle.
I wonder what it will be like to stop filling the God purposed hole in my soul with a food shaped peg?
It’s great to hear you pray so fervently for His presence and protection BEFORE even arriving at the “trough”…I am going to practice praying before each meal. I do want to confess that I have not yet been successful in completing 3 days of 0-5.
How far from Sacto are you? By the way, don’t you just love the bright hot pink cross symbol – I just think it’s so His doing 🙂
Did I really say that? LOL! That isn’t too shabby. Actually, I think that was a God thing if it was in there. LOL! So glad you were encouraged. I know what you mean. It is maddening on the one hand that this is still a struggle. On the other hand, it is beautiful. Because every single solitary day I am wooed closer to the Lord, I am so desperate for him, I need him so badly. He uses this mundane thing…eating…to remind me of his love, care, strength, and protection. That is really awesome.
The audios were great! They encourage me to pray out loud before the times of temptation to eat outside of boundaries. I know the times that I will be tempted and am making a goal to pray fervently before those moments arrive. Very “ah-ha” for me!
Yay! Yes, it has helped me a lot to. Renewing my mind BEFORE I get to the temptation. It is easy (relatively) when I am driving to go out to eat, but not as easy here at home. Yet I can honestly say, the more into this study we go, the easier it has been getting. Not every time, but consistently. Praising God for you all! 🙂