Monday Motivation: Emotional Eating

Emotional eating has been my biggest battle regarding my health.  When I couldn't control other aspects of my life, I controlled food.  Only, I wasn't really controlling it. It was controlling me.  Addiction is like that.

Some thoughts from Dr. Stoll from the chapter on Emotional Eating in his book, Alive! A Physician's Biblical & Scientific Guide to Nutrition:

"Our absolute dependence on food causes us to recognize that God is our ultimate provider and sustainer.  When we hunger, it is a reminder that we are weak, that He provides for us, and that we should hunger first for a relationship with Him."

In reference to the biblical account of man's fall into sin found in Genesis 3:4-5:

"And for the first time in history, God's provision of food became a vehicle of selfish gain and self-fulfillment. This is the first recorded incidence of emotional eating -- eating for personal gain beyond supplying nutrients for the body."

"Why did she take the fruit and eat it? Not because she was hungry or thought it would be good for her body. No, instead, her fleshly passions were kindled by the simple fruit hanging in a tree. The lust of the flesh - the fruit appeared to be delicious.  The lust of the eyes - the fruit was a delight to the eyes. And the pride of life - it would make them wise. These passions were driving Eve to reach up and take that fruit from the tree. The anticipated pleasure, power, and enjoyment of the fruit quickly eclipsed God's command."

John 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

"The enemy wants you to remain in fruitless cycles that consumer your life and make you powerless, weak, and sick.  Freedom is found in the hope and life of Christ, and we know that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippian 4:19). "

"We all eat emotionally, and God intended that we feel emotions during the eating process -- emotions that will inspire us to a closer relationship with others and Him. Pray today that God will restore this aspect of your life and bring you back into communion with Him with every bite you take."

I'm learning the amazing power in this!  Fasting, eating, understanding TRUE hunger versus toxic hunger, these tools are enabling me to commune with my Lord at a new level of gratitude and praise in my heart.  I am learning to WORSHIP my Creator and Father with every bite I take because I know it was created by His hand for my body, also created by His hand, all for His glory!  I would have never understood how the simple act of eating could bring such joy in comparison to the dread, compulsion, or self-pleasure it once held over me.

Goal Setting for This Week:
1.   Bed by 10pm
2.  Wake by 6am
3.   Personal morning and evening worship
4.   Blogging
5.   Keep up with meal prep
6.   Daily exercise: 20-40 minutes at least 4 times this week
7.   Bread once weekly (replace with small quantities of rice, potatoes, alternate flour)
8.   Computer time limited to morning blogging and any spare time before bed
9.   Simplify the menu - I need to get this set up today, I'm behind and it's only Monday!
10. Stay on budget with groceries