On page 65 the authors remind us of John 8:34, where Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”
Do you want to be a slave to food? You have the choice to remain a slave to food or to be set free. When you submit to head hunger or heart hunger or starve yourself, you’re giving food the upper hand over your life. Yet food has absolutely no power over us unless we give it that power.(HEAL, page 65)
The authors follow a short discussion about the freedom God intends for us with “The Super-Practical Steps of Healthy Eating.” These are seven simple steps that can help you eat mindfully and with freedom!
- Select when to eat. This is between the parameters of stomach hunger and stomach satisfaction. Developing a sensitivity to physical sensations in the location of your body where your stomach rests, is vital! 🙂
- Select what to eat. Food that satisfy you and nourish you.
- Sit Down. Sitting down keeps us from mindlessly grabbing at whatever is out on the counter. By the way, driving in the car doesn’t count as “sitting down!” LOL!
- Say Thanks. Inviting God into the experience. If whatever we do–eating or drinking–is supposed to be done to the glory of God, it stands to reason we want to welcome him into the dining experience. Eating can be an opportunity to refocus our hearts and minds on all the blessings God has given to us! Use this quiet moment, too, as a chance to ask him to help you to eat without greed and to know when to stop. I have found that a simple prayer of “Lord, this I do for you” really helps to keep me honest. If, in that moment, I can’t pray that way, then chances are I am not physically at a point where I should eat.
- Slow Down and Take Small Bites. It takes time for my stomach to register with my brain that it isn’t hungry any more! Eating slowly really does make a HUGE difference in the amount I end up eating!
- Savor the Flavor. We can delight in the texture, smell, taste and sight of what is before us. We can do this with a thankful heart!
- Satisfy! Be sure to stop when your stomach is no longer hungry. If you follow these practical steps above, you will know when is a good time to stop.
When these steps are followed, you will be amazed at the changes that happen in you physically, emotionally and spiritually. This isn’t about a list of laws or rules, but suggestions to help you and I be aware of when we *need* to eat. It helps foster the *ability* to give our eating to the Lord as a sacrifice of praise.
I will be honest with you…again, it is amazing how little food it takes to satisfy my physical needs when I apply myself to these steps. Typically, it can be quite disappointing for those of us who LOVE to eat food for a million reasons other than physical hunger. But the Lord can move in and meet the needs that have previously driven us to keep doing the same thing again and again, expecting different results. We want change, don’t we? I know I do! Lifelong, lasting change! I don’t want to be a slave to food!
These were way encouraging reminders. Thank you.CherHim
These were way encouraging reminders. Thank you.CherHim
I'm working through week 8 of Thin Within workbook #1. This week we are introduced to the Eight Keys to Conscious Eating.On day 4 of this week the first question asks me to note how many of these keys relate to Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God". I think almost all of them do (I can't quite figure out yet how to make #5 fit: "I ate and drank only the things my body loved").I liked that the seven keys listed in this entry include giving thanks. I've got to slow way down to honestly pray to God. Being sure to always give thanks is such a great reminder to slow down and enjoy God's provision. Plus, it's hard to shove food down my throat if I'm recounting His blessings! 🙂
I'm working through week 8 of Thin Within workbook #1. This week we are introduced to the Eight Keys to Conscious Eating.On day 4 of this week the first question asks me to note how many of these keys relate to Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God". I think almost all of them do (I can't quite figure out yet how to make #5 fit: "I ate and drank only the things my body loved").I liked that the seven keys listed in this entry include giving thanks. I've got to slow way down to honestly pray to God. Being sure to always give thanks is such a great reminder to slow down and enjoy God's provision. Plus, it's hard to shove food down my throat if I'm recounting His blessings! 🙂
These 7 practical steps are very much like the keys to conscious eating. I love what you have said about Psalm 46:10..So often eating is done with a frenzy for me…either because I am rushing around or waited a long time and am famished…and want to shove it in! I can see that I need to work on redeveloping a quiet heart when I eat…and Psalm 46:10 is a good verse to remind me of that! Thanks!
These 7 practical steps are very much like the keys to conscious eating. I love what you have said about Psalm 46:10..So often eating is done with a frenzy for me…either because I am rushing around or waited a long time and am famished…and want to shove it in! I can see that I need to work on redeveloping a quiet heart when I eat…and Psalm 46:10 is a good verse to remind me of that! Thanks!