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If I want to act differently…like sustain behaviors that support my godly goals of eating 0 to 5…then I have to believe differently. Like in this case, I have to believe that it takes less food than I want to eat to sustain me. Or I have to believe that I don’t need to be on a strict calorie-counting diet and exercise program in order to release weight.
If I am going to believe these things, I have to stop the thoughts that I have that “rehearse” the lies I believe over and over again. I have to replace the thoughts that are based on lies (or half truths) with God’s BIG T Truth.
So how to do this practically:
If you catch yourself with a runaway thought, you want to stop it as soon as you notice it. For instance, let’s say you have the thought “I need something sweet.” BINGO! A potentially runaway thought that may take you on a wild train ride and derail your godly goals. By stopping this runaway thought and taking control of it, you can inform yourself with the truth. In this situation, here are some truths that may be good ones to think about:
- I don’t need something sweet. I merely want something sweet.
- If I still want something sweet when I am hungry, I can have it then.
- Will eating something sweet now (outside of my hunger/satisfaction boundary) satisfy what is really going on here? Probably not.
- If I eat this (outside of my boundary) what next? Will this lead to me heading farther and farther off the track?
- I don’t need anything sweet and if I busy myself with something else to do, my thought about eating will subside and go away.
- If I don’t eat outside of my boundaries, I will have the joy of obedience and the peace that comes from making a great choice.
- Etc!
In the video clip below, we see the sharks take a “pledge.” They start with an “affirmation” of truth…what they want to believe. They speak the truth to themselves hoping that it will cause them to act differently. You can see that they really are a hopeful bunch who get the idea that telling themselves a truth that they want to believe might affect their actions!
(Note: This video clip is mostly for comic relief. LOL! I hope it makes you laugh. Although something went awry with this approach for Bruce and his friends, it can be effective for us!)
What are some beliefs you have that cause you to act in a way that counters your godly goals?
What are truths you can tell yourself instead?
What is a practical way you can incorporate this “telling yourself the truth” into your daily life before other thoughts run away with you?
What a great blog today–just what I needed, Heidi. The video left me smiling and your blog challenged me to be mindful of food lies.
Cheryl, I am so glad to hear it. Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂
This was a great clip! LOL :)))
OH yes!
keep on the alert for those tricky lies of the flesh. I want verses I need… I ask myself am I really hungry? or am I just wanting to eat? Or maybe I’m thirsty or do I need time with God and go pray and read some scriptures. Some times it’s just that I need God and His love and not to eat…it’s a battle at times especially when it’s in the evening for me.
My prayer;
In the name of Jesus Christ, I take captive my thoughts into the obedience of Christ Jesus and I cast down all vain imaginations and thoughts that exalt themselves above the word of God. Father God fill my mind and heart with your truth and give me your strength right now to over come this temptation. Thank you Father God for your strength in me. I can do all things through Christ Jesus your Son who gives me His strength. Amen.
Me, too, Lord! Me, too!
Loved the clip! How quickly the appearance of chocolate, the smell of something yummy, my husband appearing with a bowl of ice cream…. can run over all of the truths that I have been speaking to myself and praying- just like the shark! I related to the “just one bite” but really he is acting like a crazed being – one bite won’t be enough for him. Been there.
I wanted to share the lyrics from a song that spoke so strongly to me. Chris Tomlin – the Name of Jesus
When we fall You are the Savior, when we call You are the answer
There is power in Your name, there is power in Your name
In the name of Jesus
There is life and healing
Chains are broken in Your name
Every knee will bow down and our hearts will cry out
Songs of freedom in Your name
It had me in tears while I was driving yesterday (not in a dangerous to drive way :)) because I am “tasting” the freedom and experiencing the chains that are broken – Healing is really and truly occurring in my mind and heart and I am so thankful and humbled by it.
I had a lovely day with my 11 year old son – my 8 year old daughter is at my mom’s house so he and I drove to a beautiful park, hiked for an hour+ and had lunch at PF Changs (his fave). I ate only to 5 even though the kitchen gave us an extra entree (on the house!) and our waiter gave my son a piece of cake – crazy, right? Anyway, it was so nice to spend time alone with him without worrying about the food. We boxed up the extras and we’ll eat them later. He then requested a trip to his favorite asian grocery store and they had samples of cherries (oh, how I love cherries in the summer) but I declined – I was satisfied from lunch. I bought a bag so I could eat some later. Also declined the queso (they sell Mexican stuff too). No big deal!! Like I said, freedom, healing, broken chains. Praying for all of us to rest in Him and to be still and know that He is God – our creator, our father, our abba, our healer, our savior….
Wow, Carrie. THis is awesome. I love the way your son enjoys a variety of foods, too. My son is just the opposite! LOL! Anyhow, great victories for you! WOOT!
Loved the video and I can relate even though I laughed. I tell myself that I can’t have chocolate or ice cream or cookies in the house because I cannot resist eating them till they are gone. I working on gaining the God confidence that I can have them in the house and eat a little when hungry. I sure hope I reach that point before Christmas!
One babystep at a time, Sue. God can do it! Maybe he will lead you to have freedom with one particular food before another. Keep asking and trusting. Sometimes freedom is not *having* to HAVE the things we enjoy.
Jesus is Lord and food is not. As I put God and food in their proper places, I am freed from the stress of figuring out how to cheat and lie my way thin, how to white knuckle myself to that perfect….whatever I am trying to attain. NO MORE STRIVING FOR ME! ONLY ACCEPTING! I love the stamp of approval Heidi talked about the other day….it has set my heart free. I went to dinner tonight and texted my partner before arriving and she reminded my no matter what happens, I am there to glorify God and I actually had a conversation with my client about God, worship, church and what my relationship with the Lord means to me……WOW….BIG BIG WOW…. I thought if anything I would talk about my food choices, when God had bigger things in mind…….Oh how I love when he takes over, or more specifically when I give myself over to him!
I love this.
Jesus is Lord.
Food is NOT.
WOOT!
No more striving for me either, Michelle. Acceptance. You know what? Humility before God’s amazing authority is a wonderful place of peace. Yes…I love it when my God overcomes me…as he has now in reading all the comments here at the blog.