Since I have used this Bible passage as an example of how the Lord God has positively influenced my overeating, this doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the verse. Debbie

COE Support Note:

If you REALLY want to read how Christ helped me throughout this weight loss and even when I was tempted, you should read some of the 100's of previous posts on https://christianovereaterssupport.blogspot.com/

Ashamed of My Body After Losing the Weight...

2 Corinthians 4:7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

I spent so much of my life being overweight, even as a child. I just didn't know how to handle it after losing all my weight. I was so torn. There was a part of me that was proud of the weight loss, but there was this part of me that felt ashamed of my body. It seems like a strange thing to feel after having such a blessing from God, but I've read of others who have felt the same thing.

I had a body riddled with stretch marks, hanging flab, and droopy breasts which altered my image of what I would look like after losing the weight. I don't think I ever wanted to be a model or anything of that nature, but I wanted to look nice in my clothes. I didn't want to feel that people were looking at me because of how overweight I was. I didn't want to worry about which dress would fit for me to wear to church. I didn't want to not be able to do things with my kids, because I was embarrassed about being with other thinner people.

It was a big thing to learn to turn my less than perfect body perceptions over to God. My weight loss was a miracle from God and I was saying, "Hey, God, I asked you to be thin, but that meant that you should take care of my body and droopy body parts, as well." What an ungrateful Christian I have been. 

God has given us, "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." He allows me to turn my body perceptions over to Him, my fears and anxieties, and my appreciation for all He has done for me. God has allowed me to come to terms with my body, to not be repulsed by its imperfections, to love the person that God wants me to be, instead of always finding flaws and short-comings in myself. Debbie

Beating Yourself Up for Eating Far Too Much...

Romans 5: 8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Well, by the time you read this, Thanksgiving will be over. Are you beating yourself up for eating far too much of things that delighted you at the time? I know that I have done that all too many years to count. When I started turning my control, my eating, and my food over to God on a daily basis, I didn't have to beat myself up anymore for not living up to my expectations of what I should have done.

I always go into holidays thinking that I will stay close to the protein and veggies, only to be seduced by enticing treats and special comfort foods. God knows we are weak and are going to be tempted. He knows that our health, weight, and self-esteem are a work in progress, but He never turns His back on us the way we turn our back on ourselves, beating ourselves up because we didn't show more restraint, weren't perfect, didn't live up to our expectations and the list goes on.

I am comforted by this verse, when I look in the mirror and see a work in progress, Romans 5: But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Trying to Con Myself about Buffets, Potlucks, and Holiday Dinners...

Romans 6: 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

With a title like Trying to Con Myself about Buffets, Potlucks, and Holiday Dinners, it probably brings a lot to mind if you've ever been an overeater. Even though, God has blessed me by losing my weight and keeping the majority of it off, Satan still tries to work a subtle wedge in my relationship with God through my food. Even though I have a food program that works for me, I am still consumed by those old compulsions when I go to buffets, potlucks, and holiday dinners.

I still find myself rationalizing my actions, thinking that the dishes there are ones I rarely will get a chance to eat for a long time, are my favorites, look enticing, etc. Who am I trying to fool. God knows the truth, although I do a pretty good job of trying to con myself. I rarely leave these without being stuffed, and in hindsight realize that I "woulda, shoulda, coulda," something else. 

The thing is, I feel that God has used my weight loss as a means for sharing my faith with others. When I'm overeating and exhibiting compulsive behavior, I'm not being a good example of how God works in my life.  When my relationship with God isn't sloppy, I am less likely to let my food program be sloppy, and am less likely to be compulsive in these situations.

This is a big eye opener for me. Since I've been writing this blog, I've been trying not to be so sloppy, but went to a buffet recently. I found that my portion control was not aligned with what God has shown me. I ate all my "breads" for the day and then some, even though I didn't eat any sweets. It reminds me that my compulsive behavior sneaks back, in situations like this. I need to either limit how often I go to these places or really make sure I'm focused on letting God guide my food decisions which affect my relationship with God, my family, and myself. Debbie  Romans 6: 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Don't Let People Tell You Who You Are...

1 John 4: 19 We love Him [Jesus], because He first loved us.
Well, with this said, that means that we, with all our failings, insecurities, and many vices, such as overeating, are lovable, just the way we are. I didn't always feel that way, though. There were times in previous relationships, where the other person made me feel worthless, undesirable, and fat, whether I was actually fat or not.

For a long time, when I was told these negative things, I thought they were true. I thought I was this worthless, undesirable, and fat person, whether I was heavier or thinner.  I kept this negative mental picture of myself in my mind and in my heart and it affected all my interactions with others and, probably, my relationship with God. I ate over the pain and felt fortunate to have someone who would put up with me and all my many failings. It took a very long time for me to heal from these interactions, but God heals all wounds when we turn them over to Him, for God loves me. He gave His very life for me, so I must not be such a miserable person after all. I must be a lovable person, deserving of respect and no less.

With God's healing touch, He led me to realize not to let people tell me who I am. I am worthy of love, positive relationships with others, and to be treated with respect, and that's what God wants for me. We love Him [Jesus], because He first loved us... (just the way we are.)

Passing Holiday Treats Around but Skipping Me...

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

I remember how upset I used to get at my former in-law's home at holidays. My former mother-in-law used to pass trays of elaborate treats around to everyone in the room. She would walk up to each person asking if they would like any of the treats on the tray. When she would get to me, she would say, "Oh, you don't need any," and would walk right past me going on to the next person.

I have to tell you that I didn't appreciate being passed over. Sometimes, I would do something very counterproductive. When she would put the tray down, I would go get and eat some of the treats that I wasn't offered and then some, like I was proving something to her. Of course, I wasn't and made my situation much worse. Then, I not only had to deal with my feelings of being overlooked, but had to deal with the extra weight I gained proving my point, however weak it was.

Even as I write this, I have to remind myself of this verse and pray asking for the willingness to forgive her. Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Her actions hurt me, but God doesn't want me holding on to bitter feelings to others. Jesus gave His life to save me from all my sins, it's the least that I can do to forgive others. Of course, it's much easier said than done, but it lays the foundation not only for my relationship with God, but my being whole and not feeling led to eat over my hurt feelings. Debbie Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Praying for Those Who See You as the Enemy...

Luke 6: 27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you.

You may want to know why I'm writing about enemies in an overeating blog. Well, I found that I tend to eat about feelings and things that stress me more than the specific foods I ate. Well, people that are enemies or those who treat me like I'm the enemy are big stressors for me. It's my nature to try to please everyone, so I have tended to take it personally when someone acts like they don't like me.

There is a lady who works at the gym my grand kids go to, who scowls at me every time I go there. I realize that she doesn't really know me, but it feels kind of personal like she doesn't like me. This has been going on for over six months now. Last week when I went there, I was in prayerful contemplation about this. The thought in my mind, which is often how God works in my life, was that she doesn't even know me to dislike me, so I shouldn't take it personally. The next thought was that her reaction has more to do with how she feels about her life than anything else. Having been there myself, I could understand what that is like.

I remembered this verse and decided to pray for her. I asked God to bless her and to have her feel the healing touch of Jesus in her life. I also asked that she develop a life-long positive relationship with God. When I saw her about a half hour after this prayer, she was laughing and joking around with some co-workers. I had never seen this before and it felt like an immediate answer from God, although things don't always happen that quickly.

When I saw her this week, she was having a positive conversation with another co-worker and had been doing some exercises and seemed to be very pleased. I am so happy about this. I hate for anyone to feel so poorly about themselves or their lives that they can't even smile and all their conversations seems to be negative. What a wonderful miraculous change God brought about in this lady's life. It reminds me to be more prayerful for others who seem to be unhappy or in pain. Luke 6: 27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Does My Losing the Weight Mean My Faith Is Stronger Than Yours???

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Is My Faith Stronger Than Yours?? No way!!! It may sound like I'm a better Christian because God had me lose the 80 pounds and not you, but that's not the case! It's not because my faith is stronger. It's not because I'm a better Christian. It's not because I do more for the needy. It's not because I have traits similar to Mother Theresa. It's not because I do a better job at anything. It came when I asked God to take care of my overeating and my control issues.

It may be difficult to understand, since many of you are very good Christians, much more pious than I may ever be. I was a Christian for over 25 years when this happened, but I never kept any weight off for long on any of the diets I had gone on, prior to this. It took me a long time to figure out why it happened then and not before. I had prayed for God to take care of my weight a million times before. So why now?

All I can figure is that I was so low at this point, that I totally gave up. What I actually said in that prayer is, "God, I can't lose the weight and I give up! If you want me to lose the weight then You'll have to do it because I can't." It was that very day that God had me stop craving sweets, eating between meals, start feeling comfortable with a normal portion of food, and start loosing the weight.  I guess that's the first time I totally turned my control and my eating concerns truly over to God.

To be honest, I really didn't think I was going to loose weight from praying this. I was really just giving up, but I think that is the key. I think prior to that, I prayed, God, help "me" lose the weight, help "me" stop overeating, etc. I wasn't totally turning it over to God before. That's why it is vitally important for me to turn my food, my eating, and my control over to God each and every day. When I get sloppy with this for long, as you already know, my weight and my self-esteem start to suffer from this. Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Links to Other Blogs I Felt Led to Create Below: