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/

What is a Sleece?

Hast thou found honey?  eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.  Proverbs, Chapter 25, verse 16.

I really like this because it hits home.  When I used to eat sweets, I would think a particular pie or other delicacy was desirable.  I didn’t think I would get it again for a long time, so I would “sleece” my way around the pie and end up eating almost the whole thing.

Now, if you’re wondering what a “sleece” is, it’s a word I made up to describe taking a little sliver of pie, cake, etc.  It tasted so good that I would take another and another until almost the whole thing was gone.  I would feel so guilty for eating that much, I would put my hand on the top crust of the pie and try to push it down so some of the filling would go out the sides.  I tried to make it look like there was more pie than there actually was.  I thought this would keep my family from knowing what I had done.  I used to eat things that were special treats to the point that I made my stomach sick.  I’m so fortunate that God has taken care of my compulsive overeating.

(Note: I just noticed this portion of the book: Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life and thought it was especially appropriate to reprint here.)

Am I Grateful?

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Luke 12:29-30

In recent posts I told you how I turned to food which was a false god, to heal my aching soul. I shared how I used to spend months filled with fretting over finances to make sure we could pay our bills and have enough food for the family. I shared how I hoarded food, as well. Christ showed me that all I need to do is to turn to Him in all things and He will provide for us, but am I grateful?

I get caught up in my daily life and do I thank the Lord that I live in a country with freedoms that others don’t have? I get caught up in my daily life and do I thank the Lord for plenty of food to meet our needs and then some when there are others who hunger? I get caught up in my daily life and do I thank the Lord for healing my self-esteem when there are others who feel unloved?  I get caught up in my daily life and I thank the Lord for allowing me the opportunity to share my shortcoming with you to do His work in the lives of readers.

I need to be much more Grateful Christian for all God does for me each and every day. I am truly blessed! Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? Luke 12:24 

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

Hoarding Food

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? Luke 12:24

There was a time where I used to hoard food. I think it started when I was little. I saved my decorated hard boiled egg until it spoiled. Yuk! I remember going to the local Creamery where I would get two ice milk cones because they were five cents each instead of paying ten cents for one ice cream cone. I also bought a big bag of candy to flaunt in front of my siblings. God has an interesting sense of humor. I broke my tooth on the first piece of candy and had to give the whole bag of candy I was gloating over to my siblings.

As an adult, I would buy special Pippin Apples just for me, because they were my favorite. As an overweight person, I felt so inadequate in so many ways, but thought I should pamper myself every now and then. I hid food I liked in the back of the refrigerator, so no one else would get it. The list goes on and on until Jesus in His infinite mercy healed me of this and my compulsive overeating.

It was over 30 years ago when I told God that I would never be thin and if He wanted me to be thin, He’d have to do it Himself because I couldn’t. I never really expected that He’d take my compulsive overeating away. I was just giving up, but I think it must have been the first time that I had ever given up control of my eating to God, although I thought I had for years. I was blessed with the loss of 80+ pounds and He has allowed the vast majority of it to stay off all this time.  

Christ freed me from the need to hoard food, from the need to turn to food to heal my aching soul and self-esteem, because it had become a false god in my life. I learned that when I turned these over to God’s very capable hands, my life was less stressful. I had no need to turn to food, because He provided for my every need both physically and emotionally. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? Luke 12:24 

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

Will There Be Enough?

And He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Luke 12:22-23

I remember the times where I used to spent days and nights fretting over how I was going to pay my bills, how I was going to buy enough food, and how my family and I were going to get by? I used to plan the next month’s budget over a month in advance. I would fret over it and change it this way, that way, and every which way in order to try to make sure there would be enough.

After years of this financial fretting, God had this passage weigh on my heart. I realized that when I’m plotting, planning, and fretting over these, I am not trusting God to provide for our needs. I was virtually saying, “God, I love you and all, but stand back and let me figure out a way to make sure there’s enough just in case you don’t provide it for us.” Well, that was an eye-opening experience to say the least! It definitely isn’t the message I want to be giving my Lord and Savior.

When I started putting my finances in very God’s capable hands, I fretted less. Our needs were met and more. It’s funny how we had enough food, our bills were paid, and I was less cranky due to less fretting over bills. This was shortly before God showed me that I needed to turn my food, my stress, and my life over to Him. As you know, He blessed me again by allowing an 80+ pound weight loss over 30 years ago. And He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Luke 12:22-23

Wanting More Stuff

And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he posseseth. Luke 12:1

I am often overwhelmed with all the commercials for stuff like: the newest computer, newest phone, newest technology, most trendy clothes, most trendy shoes, etc. To top it off, it’s not just the adults, but kids are also wanting the newest version of phone, technology, clothes etc. as well.

It’s not just everyone else. I find myself driving by a garage sale wanting to stop to see what I can find and I have so much stuff that I haven’t room for more. I used to hoard food, but am I now hoarding things? This passage really makes me think about this and what type of legacy we are passing on to the younger generations.

It says in Mark 10:21 “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” This is that famous passage where the rich man turned away because he couldn’t part with his stuff. We don’t want to get so caught up in our possessions that we lose our focus on Christ. But he began to curse and to swear, saying that I know not this Man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. Mark 1:71-71

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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Beyond Our Faults and Shortcomings

But he began to curse and to swear, saying that I know not this Man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. Mark 1:71-71

This passage evokes so many different emotions in me. Mainly, I can identify with Peter, because I don’t always stand up for Jesus the way I should. This time, different things come to mind. (That’s one of the things I love about reading the Bible on a daily basis. Every time I read the Bible, it holds different meaning for me according to the message that God has for me at that particular time.)

This time, this makes me think about how Jesus sees far beyond all our faults and shortcomings. Jesus knew in advance that Peter was going to betray Him, yet He still loved Peter and saw the best in him despite his betrayal.  In Matthew 16:18-19 Jesus says, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Jesus trusted Peter to build the church in spite of his betrayal and faults. If Jesus can see beyond Peter’s faults and shortcomings then He can see beyond mine. I am truly blessed to have such a forgiving Savior that sees the best in me and in you despite all our faults and shortcomings. But he began to curse and to swear, saying that I know not this Man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. Mark 1:71-71

What Do My Actions Say?

But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. Luke 12:9

I love the Lord with all my heart, but do my actions convey that to others? Do I pretend I didn’t hear things that are putdowns of others? Do I neglect to stand up for those who are oppressed? Do I fail to tell others how God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins?

I wished my actions spoke better for how much I appreciate all the Lord has done for me and my family. I wished I were a better example to others. It doesn’t have to stop here, though. God has these eye-opening experiences where we take stock of what we are doing. He has them so we can be moved to try to be better examples of how Christ works in our lives!

He doesn’t want us to be Stagnate Christians, happy because we know Jesus, but not enough to show it through our actions. Are my actions denying my faith in Christ? But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. Luke 12:9

Feeling Worthless

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

I’m a member of an internet prayer chain. Many times, I’ve read requests for people who feel suicidal. Oh, how my heart aches for them. I know that when I was at my heaviest, I felt so alone until Jesus shared His healing grace with me and showed me that I was worthwhile and not worth giving up on regardless of what my weight was.

This passage makes me feel the same way for those who contemplate suicide. If God values the lives of five sparrows, you are much more valuable to Christ than that. You are valuable enough that Jesus gave His own life and rose again so that you would have salvation. That speaks loads! Would He do that for you if He thought your life was of little value?

I know things can be overwhelming at times, but we need to ask Christ for the willingness for Him to heal our pain and worries. That doesn’t mean you are going to have steak every night, the job or relationship you wanted, but it does mean that He’s right there by our side to get us through these times and to lead us to what He wants in our lives.

Don’t give up. Don’t give in, because that’s what Satan would like. He would like for your last action to ultimately tell Christ and everyone else that you don’t trust Him to get you through this difficult time and take the way that Satan dangles in front of you. You are of great value to Christ and are not to be given up on! Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

Jesus Shows Compassion…How About Us?

Jesus wept. John11:35

When I usually read this, I think about it being the shortest verse of the Bible. Do I think of how significant these two words are? Not until today. I realized that this verse is showing what a compassionate person/Savior Christ is and He would want us to be the same way.

It’s easy for us to kiss the boo-boo of a little child, trying to comfort their tears away, but are we Compassionate Christians? Unfortunately, I know that all too often, I’m not. Do I hear of injustices that happen in our society and turn a blind eye, because I’m tired of hearing all that negative stuff? Do I take the risks to challenge the opinions of the norm to stand out against atrocities that happen in the world? Do I sit idly by as others comment on how the plight of many is due to their own inability to make good choices, to earn a decent pay check, to have good work ethic, and list goes on?

Do I treat others with the respect that they deserve? I know that when I was overweight, others would ignore my opinions and treat me like my feelings didn’t count because of my size. Do I treat others with that same respect even when they aren’t of the same faith, culture, financial situation, etc.? I wish I could say I always do, but probably haven’t more than I have. I strive to be a more Compassionate Christian and a better example of my faith in Christ. And He [Jesus] said, woe unto you also, ye lawyers! For ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Luke 11:46


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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