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/

Wearing Thin Clothes in Public and Not Hiding Behind My Baggy Clothes

And why take ye thought for raiment?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:28-29

This sounds like a silly thing to post about, but it’s very significant to me. I have a difficult issue wearing my thin clothes in public. Either I wear all baggy clothes, a baggy wind breaker over top, or wear thin pants and baggy top or visa-versa.

There was a time, years ago, when I got some unwanted attention from someone, that I found myself sitting down and eating and eating until I gained all the weight back. I had a sense of relief when I was back to my previous weight, because I no longer had to deal with issues like unwanted attention from others.

That’s not the way that God wants me to deal with these issues, now.  I really don’t think that’s the way He wanted me to deal with them then, but I wasn't listening. I ate and ate out of panic! Now, God wants me to turn to Him to deal with all issues in my life, including my body image and how I feel about having a thinner body.

Actually, wearing the thinner clothes in public was purely an accident. I put them on and didn’t really think of it until I was almost to the library and realized that I had only thin clothes on. I had a half of a panic and realized that I couldn't really do anything about it then, and that I had to turn it over to God and He took care of it! After that, I was busy turning in books and Dvds and picking out new ones with the little one accompanying me, and never thought any more about it until the evening.

That evening, I was prayerfully contemplating what God had done for me which was pretty significant to me! I realized that God will get me through other situations as they arise and that God doesn’t want me hiding behind my baggy clothes. And why take ye thought for raiment?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:28-29


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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No Room in the Inn

And she [Mary] brought forth her firstborn Son [Jesus], and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

My minister was talking about this recently and it was very intriguing to me. I wanted to share it with you. He was talking about how Mary, ready to give birth to our Savior and Joseph were entering a city full of people there to pay their taxes. When they approached the inn, they weren’t welcomed, but were offered and were grateful for a second-rate place to stay. (The last half of this sentence I added, but it’s part of my point. Additionally, the minister didn’t say all of this. He just got me to thinking. I’ve underlined the main parts he talked about.)

Anyway, the minister talked about how in many communities people who are different: minorities, the less fortunate, the homeless, those with vices, the penniless, those of other cultures, other religions, etc. are not welcomed either. This led me to think about all those years as an overweight child and adult and how I didn’t feel welcomed, either. It was a terribly lonely feeling. You could see it in other people when they pass you. They avert their eyes elsewhere or have a scowl, as though they are appalled at how we could allow ourselves to become so overweight.

It took me years and lots of prayer to overcome those feelings of being unwanted and not approved of by others. It makes me think of all those people who are different: minorities, the less fortunate, the homeless, those with vices, the penniless, those of other cultures, other religions, etc. who are not welcomed either. Jesus who is King of Kings led a humble life and gave His life to save us from our sins. He welcomed me as a Christian, flaws, overweight and all and I think He would want me to be welcoming of others who are different. This is especially important to remember as we celebrate His Birth today. And she [Mary] brought forth her firstborn Son [Jesus], and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Remember the Reason for the Season is to focus on the birth of Christ and all He's done for us!!! Merry Christmas!

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

Am I Trying to Buy My Way to Heaven?

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whom soever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Acts 8: 17-19

This passage seems to be very far removed from our lives, but is it? I can think of all too many times when some charity or activity at the church needed help, rather than put the effort in, I pulled out my checkbook.

Is that all bad? I guess it depends. It depends if I’m writing a check to look pious to others in the church or charity with a minimum of effort on my part. It depends if I am fully able to help out, but am selfish with my time, so I pull out my checkbook instead. It depends on whether I’m able to make a significant difference to this particular cause and I’m making a minor difference by what I choose to donate. I might need a new pair of shoes to go in that closet with endless rows of shoes, right???

These are hard things for me to come to terms with over the years. I have to continue to not just turn my food, body, eating, and stress over to God’s very capable hands, but I need to be willing to assist where God needs me. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whom soever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Acts 8: 17-19

What Do Popeye and the Apostle Paul Have in Common?

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

My husband’s favorite line from the movie, Popeye, is “I am what I am,” and he quotes it periodically. I never really paid much attention to it until I read it the other day and prayerfully pondered it.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul is saying that he isn’t worthy to be an apostle, because he used to persecute the church, but by God’s grace, his life was changed. God made Paul into one of His apostles to do His will through him.

Well, this passage brings lots of things to mind. I’m not worthy to be writing a blog about overeating, when so much of my life had been consumed by overeating or thinkng of eating. God has used my weakness to His glory and by that, I am very humbled.

It is God who gives me the ideas for the blog posts, but if there are any errors or shortcomings, they are truly mine. It is God who heals me through these posts and hopefully provides healing for those who are open to reading “The Message” He has within these posts.

I am a very sinful human being, but by the grace of God who works within me, Christ allows this sinful overeater and imperfect human being to do His will to touch the lives of others, because Christ can do the same for them, if they let Him For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

We Should Not Be Fearful, but Fear the Lord

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.  Deuteronomy, Chapter 10, verse 12.

It seems like there are times where I’m filled with fear. Often this fear manifests itself in stress. I get stressed about situations in the lives of people I care about, that are far out of my hands. When I’m filled with fear or stress, it’s like I’m saying, “God, I love You, but I’m not sure You’re going to take care of this situation, so I’m going to worry about it.”

Well, I’m often a Stressed-Out Christian more times than I can remember. Fortunately for me, God shows me that it is very counterproductive to worry. Not only does it show the shallowness of my faith, I’ve turned to food to comfort me in times of stress. That means I’ve turned to a false god [food] to make me feel better, when only God can do that.

I need to turn my fear and stress into God’s capable hands as soon as I realize what I’m doing. I no longer want to be fearful, but Fear the Lord with all my heart and soul and trust God to take care of these issues in His way and timing. And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.  Deuteronomy 10 verse 12.

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.

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

 A Christian Caregiver


When Others Are Cranky, am I Looking in a Mirror?

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.  Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7:9.

The other day, it seemed like several people close to me were cranky over one thing or another. I found myself growing impatient with this. Fortunately for me, God shows me that I shouldn't be casting the first stone in situations like this.

What He showed me was that I set the tone of the people in my household. If I’m impatient, stressed, worried, etc. it directly relates to the level of patience and tolerance the rest of my household has.

You can tell this with little kids. I remember that I used to feel terrible about myself, because I had overeaten, had too much sugar that was elevating and dropping my blood sugar, and none of my clothes seemed to fit. It was the one day where I really needed the kids to cooperate and play well together, but it rarely works out that way. The kids are more apt to pick up on our hectic and cranky behaviors. They tend to be less tolerant and patient with each other and more fussy and needy. That’s because they pick up on our moods.

This also works within the rest of the family, young and old alike. If through my response, I am edgy over something, although I’m thinner, it still sets a tone for those in my household that see this and they, too, become more edgy. God was showing me that when I’m frustrated with the crankiness of several members in my household, it’s like looking in a mirror. I should realize that I set the tone and can turn my crankiness and the edginess over to God’s very capable hands and He can take that away from me. When He’s done that for me, it leaves a much more calming tone on the family and they eventually ease out of their crankiness. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.  Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7:9.

Planning, Planning, Planning

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  Matthew 6:34

This verse is very significant to me, because it seems like I’m always planning something in my head. I’m figuring out ways to organize, figuring out what I should say in particular situations, or ways people can resolve problematic situations.

It wouldn’t be such a big problem, but this is one of my vices. When I’m doing this, it’s just one more form of trying to be in control of my life instead of turning everything over into God’s capable hands!

God showed me over 30 years ago when He took the compulsion for eating excess food away, that I need to give up my control and turn to Him in all things. Why do I find it so difficult to relinquish the control in my life? Why do I keep planning, planning, planning?

That’s a good question and I’m hoping that God’s got an answer for me before this blog post is complete. You wouldn't think planning would be such a big issue for me after God’s gone to great lengths to show me that my life and the lives of those I care about go much more smoothly when I’m not behind the scenes trying to figure out ways to resolve issues.

One of Satan’s biggest strongholds on me, for years, was through my eating. I was turning to food in times of stress, etc. instead of turning to God with these issues, which made food a false god in my life. When my food is in God’s hands it has less of an importance in my life, but Satan doesn’t want to give up that stronghold in my life easily. Satan’s always looking for a way to snare me in.

I know that trying to be in control of my life is one of my many vices. Satan leads me to I think that planning doesn’t seem like a related vice, even though it is. I’m thankful that Christ takes the time to show me this and that He never gives up on me, even when I revert back to old patterns. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  Matthew 6:34

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

What’s Best, Praying First or Opening Mouth and Inserting Foot?

A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.  Proverbs, Chapter 18, verses 7-8.

You don’t know how many times I’ve opened my mouth before I prayed and asked God to guide my words and have lived to regret it. I could make a list a mile long, but that’s in the past and what I have is now.

Do I have to continue to say awkward and sometimes rude things to others, even though they weren’t my intention when I opened my mouth? This passage says no. I first tried it out with some job interviews. I prayed before I went in, asking for God to guide the things I said. Whether I got the job or not, when I came out from these interviews, I was so impressed with how God had the conversation flow smoothly. I was impressed with answers that God allowed me to give to questions I had never contemplated before. Most of all, I didn't feel so tense and awkward during the interview.

This worked so well each time I turned my interviews over to Christ’s very capable hands, that I started turning conversations with others over, as well. When I was going to interact with someone who tended to be negative, I would turn my conversation into God’s hands. When, I was angry or frustrated, I would turn my conversation over to God’s hands. When I was in a new or uncomfortable situation, I would turn my conversation over to God’s hands.

Not that I always remember to do it, but every time I take the time to turn my conversation over to God’s capable hands, I am less apt to say something I will regret later. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.  Proverbs, Chapter 18, verses 7-8.

God’s There for Me Even When I’m Not There for Myself

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

Sometimes I feel so alone and isolated from the world. These seem to be times when I let the cares and stresses of the world get the best of me. I may turn to food when I know that it just leads me further in the dumps. My guilt is apt to settle in, since I know what a difference there is when I turn to God for consolation rather than to food.

I am just so truly blessed. God loves me when I’m not there for myself. He never gives up on me, although I give Him many opportunities to turn His back on me.  Christ sees the best in me even when I can’t see it in myself.  He loves me no matter what size I am, because He doesn’t see the way others do. Christ sees what’s in our heart. He takes our self-loathing and turns it to His benefit when we let Him. He’s there for me, even when I’m not there for myself. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie
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