If I want to break free from unhealthy eating habits, I have to be willing to prayerfully evaluate what place my emotions have in my choice to eat. I can be as practical as anything, but when it gets down to it, there are times when my compulsion or drive to eat something is like a run-away train–there is no stopping it. No promise to pray to overcome temptation or to look for a way out, to sing praise songs, to journal seems to keep the inevitable from happening. In times like those, I want the craziness more than I want to be sane…what is that about? Why can all my godly and good intentions be overcome in a moment of intensity? What place does my anger (or other emotions) have in driving my eating?
I don’t really know the answer to this yet. I know that God has graciously exposed moments when my thinking is heading in the direction of *becoming* that run-away train…before it happens. I continue to pray in my moments when I *want* that–that I will see it before it happens so I can derail it…take my thoughts captive rather than be taken captive by my thoughts.
I have seen that much of the “inexplicable” agitation or angry feelings that seem attached to more compulsive eating are often due to unresolved issues in my life. If I haven’t forgiven my husband for a careless remark he made on vacation, then when he does something that triggers that memory, I tend to give him “what for”…or turn the equivalent amount of anger inward…and allow it to drive me to eat. If I don’t take these things to the Lord and work to forgive and release my wounds, unmet needs, and anger, it is almost surely going to bite me in the rear…
I must sit with the Lord and ask him to search my heart and know me. Show me if there is anything in me that needs to be brought out into the light. A survey like this daily is helpful. It keeps that unresolved anger at bay and compulsive eating because of it at a minimum.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.– Psalm 139:23-24How About You?
Would this be helpful for you? Are there unresolved wounds or feelings that may be festering within you that you need to bring to the Lord? What will you do to carve time out today to do so?
Hebrews 12:15
Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it—
I think of the Love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13.
We are to above all things hold onto faith, hope, charity. These three remain.
God is constantly at work in our heart confirming us unto the image of Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:28-30 ” And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, That He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; These He also glorified.
If God be for us who can be against us… With all heaven for us God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in constant intercession we will arrive to where he has predestined us to be. Amen.
Romans 8:26 ” Like wise the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ”
” Not by might, not by power but by my Spirit says the LORD.”
I didn’t comment right away, but, Jamie, I want you to know that I ALWAYS appreciate the Scripture you bring to the posts by sharing them. THANK YOU!
Thank you Heidi, I’ve been very busy with company lately. So I understand if you don’t reply right away. I have been taking a quick peek at your posting today. I appreciate your prayers and post. Your such a blessing to us all. My friend is visiting for two weeks. So I pray I keep in my 0-5 boundrys. I appreciate your prayers. I Will try to post some thing on your most recent post. God blessings to you Heidi.