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When I was a young girl, if a boy had my heart, I would write his initials and mine inside a heart. Putting this declaration on the front of my school folder or book-cover (made with a brown paper grocery sack) seemed to somehow make my intentions more intense–more true–more powerful.
I have never had my initials carved on a tree trunk that I know of, or a marriage proposal engraved on a tree trunk, though twice I have been proposed to by water–once by the river (by the man I married) and once at the California coast (by the man I didn’t). Both men knew that I wouldn’t take favorably to carving the proposal into a tree trunk (unless the tree was already dead), I suppose! LOL!
Though now, I suppose I might look at the declaration of love as more intense, more meaningful, more powerful had it been carved into a stately oak or poplar tree. True confessions! It certainly would stand as a monument to refer back to later in the marriage, wouldn’t it? A great way to remember youthful longing and dreams for what could be. Sigh! 🙂
I want to urge you again…evaluate if eating 0 to 5 is something that God is calling you to do and then if you are convinced–convicted–in your heart that it is, jot that truth down and then date it so you have it as a touchstone, a point of reference, to return to when you waver. It is a declaration of your intent!
Barb Raveling has asked a challenging question at her blog and, today, I ask you: “What is Your Commitment Level?”
Are you committed to this for now…are you “trying on” 0 to 5 eating and, as long as it feels good, you might keep at it?
Are you not quite even to that point yet, but only just now considering trying 0 to 5 eating?
Are you pretty committed–as long as it doesn’t take any more work than sticking with a diet?
Or are you committed as long as the scale shows results right away and every day?
Are you committed to 0 to 5 eating because of some deeper reason than weight loss? Maybe because you are sure God is calling you to moderation and you know this is the path he has for you no matter what?
Are you committed so that even when you fall off the horse you are going to get back on again–for the rest of your days on this planet?
As you can well imagine, the willingness to work at 0 to 5 eating will vary depending on the commitment level and that commitment level may be affected by if you are sure God has called you to it and what your commitment level to God is!
Several people who are convinced that this is God’s call for them have shared with me that they consider the commitment to 0 to 5 eating similar to the commitment in their marriage–they know that it won’t always be easy. In fact, sometimes, it might be downright UG-LEEEEE! They know that at times they may want to just throw in the towel as that would be easier. But they also know they just will never quit. Period. End of conversation. It is a non-negotiable.
While it is definitely possible to “over spiritualize” everything in our lives, including our eating and use of food, I also think that when you look at significant events in history in the bible and how many of them had food as a pivotal part of the scene, it certainly seems to be something that God values. We need look no further than the third chapter of Genesis before we see that a lack of commitment to godly boundaries relative to food had dire consequence!
Thoughts for Consideration:
1. How about you? Have you sensed the 0 to 5 eating is something that God has called you to? Jot it some place that you can record it with the date. If it helps, draw a big ol’ ink heart around it! 🙂
2. What is your commitment level to 0 to 5 eating? Refer to one of the options mentioned above or come up with your own and jot it down. Evaluate if you are happy with your commitment level or if you want to “woo” a greater commitment to moderation in all things relative to eating. Journal about this.
3. If you want to “woo” a greater commitment to 0 to 5 eating, you might consider creating a truth card (or a list) of all the benefits of 0 to 5 eating. On another truth card, you can list truths about dieting (don’t forget the truth that dieting DOES work to help lose weight, but include the other truths, too!). Another card, you could list truths about eating whatever you want, whenever you want, in the quantities you want. Give these lists of truths some careful, prayerful consideration.
4. You may need to go even deeper. Commitment to anything is pretty empty if a commitment to God is weak. Where do you stand relative to your relationship with Jesus? Are you willing to go wherever he calls you?
Your entry was God’s perfect timing for me & fit perfectly with what’s been going on in my life today! I cant wait to journal this!
I was a bit discouraged last night as I was looking at some recent pictures of myself. Not feeling confident or successful as I looked at the photos & just came home from a dinner out with my hubby.
I thought to myself and even texted a friend, are we sure this is the correct way?? I have to do something now! Doesnt matter what, just something!!!! I didnt hear from my friend but told God before I went to bed!
I woke up this morning pleasantly surprised when I stepped on the scale. I ate accordingly last night within my boundaries. I was also blessed with a nice evening with my husband that he even commented on how enjoyable it was. I was reminded this morning this IS THE WAY for me and the only way that has worked for me.
I love the commitment theme today! What a perfect way to look at it. It may be tough at times but something I know works. I have a ways to go as I’ve backslided this past year. I’m not happy about it but going to move onward. I’m excited to journal the questions.
I’m not going to quit as this is the way God wants me to go. I know it’s not all about weight loss but I tend to forget that fact. It’s a great reminder for me to go to God all day long & to restart my journaling process. I’ve decided this way is non-negotiable and will take work just like my marriage. With God we can do all things! I have to keep plugging away!!!
I’m loving this perspective
Thanks Heidi for sharing!!! I love how God works!!!
Hi, Michelle. How did it go journaling? I would love to see what God brought home to your heart! 🙂 I love your willingness to put a stop to anything that has derailed you and to get going again. That’s the key. Perfection just isn’t going to happen this side of heaven. But progress definitely can. 🙂 You go, Girl!
Wow this was great Heidi! It made me really think about my committment because I do find that at times when I just want my way that I toss my committment to 0 to 5 eating to the side so I can indulge and then pick up the 0 to 5 again. Not a good way to do this! I need to be faithfully committed!
You, my wise friend, are one of those who opened my eyes to this analogy! I learned it, in part, from you!
This is so interesting, Heidi!!! Me? Yes!!! Definitely committed to 0-5 eating and yes, definitely believe it is from God, what He wants me to do. And also, to help other ladies have an understanding of what this Thin Within study is all about.
What is so interesting to me is your comment how so many have compared it to a marriage commitment. Well, this is how I’ve thought of it, and have shared with my group of ladies. Maybe it will fit with someone there. This is how my comparison thinking has been, since I’ve spent more of my adult life as a single woman, rather than married. I was married at the age of 19, married for 11 years, and then single for the next 23 years of my life. And I struggled with having no sex outside of marriage. Knowing it was a sin, knowing it was God’s plan to have sex only in a marriage. How that within the boundaries of marriage, God meant for sex to be beautiful and wonderful, yet, outside of marriage, it was a sin. I believed this, knew this, and tried to live accordingly.
Well to me, the eating within 0-5 is exactly the same. Eating within 0-5 is beautiful and wonderful and something God intended for me to enjoy. Outside of that 0-5 perimeter, it is a SIN. Pure and simple!!
Simple?? YES!!!
Easy?? NO!!!!!!!!!
But it is God’s plan and I am committed to it. Do I accomplish it every day without going outside of my boundaries, ever? NO. But is there condemnation from God? NO. I’m busy observing and correcting, every single day and with God’s help, today is better than yesterday was.
Heidi, God Bless you. And all the women reading this.
Dalena. Powerful and insightful! I will be copying some of our words in my journal. Thanks 🙂
Thanks so much, Dalena, for sharing this view with us. I agree!
Heidi, I am writing sticky notes like crazy on your comments today! I have so many new things to write on my truth cards. Commitment. I never looked at it like the vows we take when we marry. I’m very new at this—day 3—but am striving to make today better than yesterday. I am trying to remember to invite God into my decisions about what I eat and how much I eat, even though sometimes I fail. I did eat some more watermelon as I was putting food away last night, even though I was totally satisfied and had left the table. I even tried to justify myself by telling myself that it was only fruit and that WW lets you eat it without counting points. There I was going outside the protective boundary that I KNOW I was called to stay within. Showed me how vigilant I need to be about the traps–the subtle traps that are out there, & how I need to call upon the Lord for help, and pray that He will teach me to His word in my heart . I memorized week 1 and week 2 verses in my Thin Within workbook yesterday and even have them on sticky notes on my computer. I will keep His word forever before my face! Love what these other ladies have posted, and it’s such an encouragement to me to know that I have a support system in you all! Have a wonderful day everyone!
Failure can be a GREAT teacher! We learn what we need to do to be prepared for the next time we face that situation or circumstance that caused us to “belly up” this time. It sounds like you are off to a great start doing the study and memorizing the verses. You have a great support system here, too. Have you gotten an accountability partner? That might help, too! Just post on the Accountability page. 🙂
I had an emotionally difficult day yesterday. I turned my mind on auto pilot and ate beyond 0-5. I awoke in the night feeling the “fruit” of my behavior discomfort. I mentally reprimanded myself and asked if I wanted to continue to live like this. A resounded NO! Echoed in my head. I awoke with new determination to allow God to help me. So, here I am God coming to you with my tail between my legs. I am unable to do this with out you. HELP! Thanks.
I’m praying for you Joyce…Isaiah 40:31 “they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength” = )
Thanks Jamie. Just sent you a personal message a few min ago. I do know that even when i am on auto pilot God is there patiently waiting for me.
How are you doing, Joyce? 🙂
Some times I feel like Paul in my spiritual struggle. I would rather not be struggling. However if I stop Satan wins. The fight is on. =)
Romans 7:14-25 NIV
We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
After this all I can say is I am standing in Christ. I am am rescued. Yay.
God is teaching me to persevere in this journey of 0-5eating sometimes I get overwhelmed with the knowledge of all this info….then God reminds me to BREATTH IN HIM AND REAST IN HIS STRENGTH AND NOT MINE. I can keep on keeping on with the 0-5 eating…yes there is hard moments, but Jesus said he would never leave or forsake us….I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.Amen
I’m suffering from a severe much migraine, brought on from a sinus headache this morning.PLEASE PRAY FOR ME. Thank you all and God’s grace and strength and blessings be with you. In Jesus Christ name amen.
Heidi THANK YOU FOR this timely word.= )
Yes, Jamie…so true. We get to rest in him. Whew…nice reminder. Thanks.
I’m two days into my 9-day Workbook #1 second week (1 to read lesson, 7 days of exercises, 1 day of grace when there is a reason, such as a migraine, when I cannot do the exercises.) Reading, writing and saying the weekly verse each day is actually resulting in that verse being committed to memory. I am gleefully amazed! Anyways, I’ve noted the subjects of some new truth cards. Though I am having a meal almost every day, right now, when I know I am eating outside of 0 – 5 eating, I know God has called me to this. The Holy Spirit is indicating to me every meal when it’s time to stop; and, too often I am ignoring His voice and eating how much I want. I find the fact that God is giving me the help I am asking for and I’m ignoring His voice more disturbing than the eating outside my boundary. At the same time, I am glad that God loves me so much that He is showing me what is true. One of my new truth cards will be related to “eating whatever I want, whenever I want, in the quantities I want” and what the underlying truths of this attitude are – willfulness, entitlement, rebellion and more. I too have a few notes on a sticky which is now stuck on the index box holding my ring-bound truth cards. Thank you, Heidi, and all who comment here.
I love the pacing you have chosen, Sheila. Glad to hear you are using Truth Cards, too! I am eager to hear how God uses those in your life. 🙂