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/

I Make Excuses for My Behavior to Christ...

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6

This reminds me of a funny story. When my kids were young, in order to foster honesty, I told them if they told the truth, they would have either no consequence or a much lighter consequence. I remember hearing my young son in the back end of the house yelling, "Truth, Mommy, truth!" Kids at that age are quite literal and he thought that just by saying the word Truth was all it took to get him a lighter consequence.

Do I find myself saying, "Truth, Jesus, truth," for the many times I turn to things like food, the computer, or being busy, when I should stop and connect with God through prayer? Jesus isn't just telling me I'll a get a lesser consequence by saying Truth, but that He is the Truth! That's pretty significant when you think of it. It makes me mindful of all the times when I make excuses for my behavior to Christ, like little kids do when they are afraid of the consequence.

I am afraid of the consequence. I can't face the thought of an eternity without Christ. Although I try, it's difficult, because I still get caught up in turning to other things before Christ. All I can do is to pray for the willingness to turn to Christ. It isn't just that I am supposed to tell Jesus the truth, but that Jesus IS The Truth! Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6

If It's in a Children's Book, It Can't Be Too Bad???

Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:31

If it's in a children's book, it can't be too bad, right??? I don't hear as much about this as I used to, but I would always get concerned when I'd read this verse and other related verses like Leviticus 20:6 and 20:27. I was worried for those who embraced the latest reading fad about wizards. The interesting thing was, lots of the people who were really into reading this series were Christians. It's sad that Satan uses things like children's books to work a wedge in the reader's relationship with Christ.

Can Satan really do that just by reading a book for children? First of all, Satan can work a wedge in a Christian's relationship through anything. If a person likes sports and turns to sports when they're stressed instead of turning to God, Satan's worked a wedge with sports. Now, a sport in and of itself is just fine, but when it keeps us from the relationship we want with Christ or our family, then it's become a wedge.

  Here's the obvious for me. If a person likes food and turns to food when they're stressed instead of turning to God, Satan's worked a wedge with food. Now, food, in and of itself is just fine, but when it keeps us from the relationship we want with Christ or our family, then it's become a wedge.

If a person likes to use the computer and turns to the computer when they're stressed instead of turning to God, Satan's worked a wedge through the computer. Now, the computer, in and of itself is just fine, but when it keeps us from the relationship we want with Christ or our family, then it's become a wedge.

If a person likes reading the series based on wizardry and turns to the book when they're stressed instead of turning to God, Satan's worked a wedge with a children's book. Now, reading, in and of itself is just fine, but when it keeps us from the relationship we want with Christ or our family, then it's become a wedge.

Now, this is a very simplistic example. Anything could work a wedge in our relationship with Christ if we turn to it instead of turning to God, even knitting, which is relatively benign. The point is, anything we turn to instead of God works a wedge in our relationship with Him. Although I can't totally know for sure, I think that's why God didn't want us to interact with people with a familiar spirit (a spirit or demon that serves or prompts an individual-according to Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary) or wizards. These are much more significant than the above examples, because God distinctly says through the Bible that we are to have nothing to do with either those with familiar spirits or wizards. Either has the potential to lead us astray, even if it's in a children's book. Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:31

God Is All the Comfort I Needed...

Mark 12: 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

When I was at my heaviest, I wasn't loving the Lord with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength, although I loved the Lord very much. No matter how much I loved Him, the food, my insecurities, my poor self-esteem, my stress, my weight, and my control seemed to interfere with my relationship with God. They always kept me an arms length away.

When I was feeling insecure, I would go for my comfort foods, thinking they would soothe me when I should have turned my insecurities over to God's very capable hands. When my self-esteem was at it's lowest, I would go for my comfort foods, thinking they would soothe me when I should have turned my sagging self-esteem over to God's very capable hands. When I was stressed, I would go for my comfort foods, thinking they would soothe me when I should have turned my stress over to God's very capable hands. When I was focused on being overweight, I would go for my comfort foods, thinking they would soothe me when I should have turned my excess weight over to God's very capable hands. When I was feeling the need to control things, I would go for my comfort foods, thinking they would soothe me when I should have turned my feeling out of control over to God's very capable hands.

When I finally started turning these over to God's very capable hands, He healed me. Then, the need to turn to comfort foods for solace left, because God is all the comfort I needed. Mark 12: 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
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I added this portion on August 21, 2013. I think that some think that my weight loss continues to be flawless. Unfortunately, this is not the case. After God allowed me to lose the additional weight gain, I started eating pecans each night and gained about ten pounds back, probably from other things, as well. Even though I've stopped eating the nightly pecans, my pants still seem snug. This is always an indicator that I need to be more focused on turning my life, my food, my eating, my stress, and my faith walk with Christ over to God's very capable hands. Debbie

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

 These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

A Christian Caregiver



The Bible Passage I Hate to Read Because It's So Much Like Me...

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Acts 5: 4  (I've included a brief overview of the actual passage 5:1-11 which is worth reading.)

The passage is about a couple in the New Testament, Ananias and Sapphira, his wife. Some of the dedicated Christians were selling their belongings to give the money to Peter and the other apostles to continue to spread the Word of Jesus.

Long story short, Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession and decided between themselves that they would tell Peter that they had gotten this lesser amount and keep the difference for themselves. Ananias went before Peter and told him this contrived amount. The verse above is what Peter said to Ananias. Ananias died immediately after this. They removed his body and his wife, not knowing her husband had just died, came to see Peter. She told him the contrived amount they sold the possession for. Again, Peter said something similar and she died.

This is the Bible passage I hate to read because it's so much like me. I can't tell you how many times little mini-plots will pop in my head so I can get more by paying less than I should. Almost every time, God has this passage pop in my mind shortly afterward. You would think I would know better by now, but these things still creep into my sinful mind. I wish this didn't happen, but it does. Fortunately for me, I have a Savior who looks after me despite my sinful nature! Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Acts 5: 4 

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse.

 These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

A Christian Caregiver


My Worth Is By God's Standards-Not Mine!


Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for Thy mercies' sake. Psalms 6:4

When I had moved from one state to another, thinking it would be easy to get another teaching position, I was in for a rude awakening! They were laying off teachers throughout the state, due to budget constraints. I was beside myself. I had given up a job that I dearly loved to be closer to family, but no jobs were available.

It crossed my mind to spend my days eating to drown my job frustrations. I knew God had allowed me to lose the 80+  pounds over 30 years ago and didn't want me to slip back into old eating patterns. What was I to do...trust God-for starters!

I got on the computer, checked the newspaper, and everything else to try to be aware of any job vacancies. I went to several interviews, to no avail. Then, I had a job interview where everything seemed to click. The principal really seemed impressed with my experience. She ended our interview by saying, "The only question I have for you, when I call you on Friday about the teaching position, will you accept it?" She could tell I would by my eager response.

Well, Friday came and went and I never heard about the job. I made all these excuses in my mind. I thought that the principal was just too busy with other issues preparing for the school year to start and just forgot to call me. I thought that maybe she was held up by red-tape through the district, but it really wasn't the case.

It was another year and a half before I got a full-time teaching position. In that time, God allowed me to proof the book: Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life, that He led me to write. I might not have finished it without having had this opportunity, although I struggled with not having a teaching job. How did that speak of my worth? Then, after much soul-searching and many tearful prayers, I realized that my worth is by God's standards, not mine!

During that time without a job, I did volunteer work and I got several part-time jobs. It turns out that one of the part-time jobs was for my future employer. My part-time work developed a sense of credibility that made me the candidate that was called when an  ideal teaching position became available. God has all things in timing. If I had gotten that other full-time position I had counted on, I wouldn't have been available when this ideal teaching position became available. Additionally, I might not have had the opportunity to finally get Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life published. I feel badly that I complained so much to God when He had a plan for me all along. Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for Thy mercies' sake. Psalms 6:4

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse.


Click on Links to Other Blogs I Felt Led to Create:


Afraid I Might Become Too I-Me Focused...

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:11

I was worried about this verse when God led me to start this blog. I have another blog: Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life.  This blog site is where I post sections of the book: Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life. After reading the Bible 16+ times, I felt led to write this book to show others examples of how I apply the Bible to my daily life. I think some people feel they can't relate to the Bible-that it's out-dated. This book gives examples of how it's not out-dated and still has relevance in our daily lives.

I was surprised when I woke up one morning and the thought that God had on my mind was that I was supposed to start another blog called: Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog. I first thought, "Are You really sure You want me to start another blog, God? Won't I be overwhelmed? Wouldn't You rather I continue to focus on the Bible Passages Blog- balance in all things, God? Don't You think I will be spreading myself to thin, God? Do You think that writing about how You took my overeating, my weight, control, and stress away will go to my head by working a wedge in my relationship with You, God?"

It might seem silly that I was worried about this, but I was. I was afraid that writing a blog about what God has done in my life might make me too I-Me Focused. God has played such a major role in my life, I didn't want to let anything work a wedge in my relationship with Him. Sure, I didn't want to gain the 80+ pounds back that God allowed me to lose over 30 years ago, but it was more than that. More than concern about any weight gain, I didn't want to lose the peace that God alone can give. He has gotten me through so much, has healed so many of my insecurities, and He leads me in directions I wouldn't have attempted without God's guidance.

Despite the fears that I mentioned above, more importantly, I have to trust God. Would God want me to do something that is going to lead me to stray from Him? I don't think so! I just have to trust God to take care of my ego and to be willing to do what He wants. It's really not about me. Gods wants others to know what miracles He can do in our daily lives with our eating, weight, stress, control, and so many other issues. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:11
Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

Should I Let Others Take My Enjoyment Away?


I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. Psalms 7:17

Having been overweight for a large part of my life, I have difficulty doing anything in public that draws attention to me. That includes singing. If I'm in church and I'm singing and people turn around, I feel like I must have done something wrong. Now, is this thinking logical? Probably not. I remind myself that I used to be in choir in school when I was younger. My voice couldn't have been that terrible if I was in choir. Somehow, I still feel uncomfortable singing in front of others.

I love singing in the car. Sometimes I have the music in the background, but make up my own lyrics to God. Actually, it's very exhillerating and I get a lot of enjoyment from it! Singing is a form of prayer. The thing is, I found myself not singing in the car when I think others can see me doing it. It goes back to my overweight insecurities of drawing attention to myself in public. I find that I only tend to sing my prayers to God when I'm on a long trip and not many people are on the road.

Should I let others take my enjoyment away? When I stopped to think about this while I'm writing this, I realize that it really isn't the other people who are taking my enjoyment away. They probably don't really care if I sing in the car or not. It has more to do with my insecurities of drawing attention to myself.

If singing my prayers to God, gives me that much pleasure, why do I let that overweight kid inside of me hinder something that makes me feel extra close to God? It's really something I need to turn over to God. This whole post is an eye opener for me. I hadn't really ever thought that much about any of this, but this is what I was supposed to post. So, God has this post for me...and for you if you let anything take your enjoyment away. I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. Psalms 7:17

I Hungered After Food, but I Was Never Filled...

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

I hungered after food, but I was never filled. I hungered after the approval of others, but I was never filled. I hungered after a good job, but I was never filled. I hungered after a promotion, but I was never filled. I hungered after nice clothes, but I was never filled. I hungered after financial stability, but I was never filled. I hungered after a house, but I was never filled. I hungered after a thin body, but I was never filled. I hungered after...

It has only been when I've turned to God with any of these issues from food to jobs, to a thin body, that God gives me peace no matter what situation I'm in, no matter what my finances or my status are.  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

Should I Need Validation from Someone Other Than God?

Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

There was a time when I would ask some one else's opinion shortly after asking God to take care of my concerns. It was like I was saying, "God, I don't truly trust that You are going to take care of my concerns, so I'm asking my friend, relative, etc. to see what they think I should do, instead of depending on You." That seemed preferable to my overeating over my concerns and worries the way I used to.

God has repeatedly shown me how He takes care of all aspects of my life.  I know that God will take care of all my concerns in whatever way is His will, because God hears all of my prayers, they just don't always get answered the way I was hoping for. Despite this, I still find myself wanting to ask my friend, relative, etc. for advice about what I should do.

At first, I didn't realize I was still doing this, but God showed me that I was. I found myself recently torn over this. I acted on something according to the way that God was leading me. I really wanted to contact a friend, relative, etc. to tell them the whole thing and get their verification that I had done what was right. Is that because I didn't trust God? Could He be wrong? I know God isn't wrong, but I still felt the need for that validation from someone else. Should I need validation from someone other than God?

It's been a real struggle. I have come back to this time after time lately. Every time I do, God has this in my mind, "If you truly trust My guidance, Debbie, then it isn't necessary to get validation from someone else, is it?"  Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse.
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