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/

Days Like That!

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

Have you ever had days like that, where it feels that no matter what you do, someone is going to find fault with it, it's going to aggravate someone, or you just feel empty inside and don't know how to respond to all that's asked of you?

It seems that I've had some of those days lately. I wondered why there's been several, since I had rarely had days like these for the longest time. Maybe, Satan is trying to trip me up because I've become too complacent in my relationship with Christ. Maybe, Satan sees a crack where he can sneak in and try to undermine my relationship with my Savior.

Maybe, I'm rambling through my prayers and my daily Bible readings and not letting the LORD heal my soul, because I'm too fixed on thinking about other events of the day at the same time. Maybe, I'm turning to food or to another vice instead of to Christ. Maybe, maybe, maybe... I don't really know the answer, but I realized that this has happened much more frequently than in the past. All I could do is go to a quiet place and ask Jesus to forgive me for becoming so lax in my relationship with Him, which allowed Satan to try to undermine my Christian ethics and relationship with God. The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

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.



What in My Life Lasts Forever?

But the LORD shall endure for ever: He hath prepared His throne for judgment. Psalm 9:7

What in my life lasts forever? Kindle Fires, iPad's, texting, friending, etc. last for a little while, but they will be replaced with the next technology fad, but the LORD shall endure and will be there for us forever.

My debts, stress, and causes of concern may last for a little while, but the LORD who shall endure forever can take them away and replace this ache in our soul with contentment and peace that only He can give.

My craving for a particular food, crunchy or otherwise, may be calling my name, but the LORD who endures forever calls my name even louder and longer and does not give into human weaknesses the way that I often do. He is always there for me, regardless of what the trends are, anxieties are, or weaknesses are. But the LORD shall endure for ever: He hath prepared His throne for judgment. Psalm 9:7

Does God Compromise?

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the lands, and verily thou shalt be fed. Psalm 37:3

This has a whole different meaning to me right now than when I read it earlier today. Right now, I take it in a more literal, but not literal way.  I wanted to schedule some posts ahead, so that they come out at a later time. I started this one, but had this strong hunger pang. I was trying to decide whether to do the post first or to start making my egg sandwich.

I wish I could say that I went straight to the computer to do the post, but I didn't. I did what I call a compromise. I put the egg in the microwave to cook and came back to the computer to write the post. That makes me wonder, Does God Compromise?

Jesus didn't say, I'll just share the loaves and bread with the multitudes, but I'll skip the Crucifixion part, because I don't want people spitting on me, taunting me, and staking me to a cross. He didn't compromise when it came to our salvation, so should I make compromises when it comes to my relationship with Him and doing what He calls me to do? No, but unfortunately, I did. Fortunately for me, God forgives me when I ask Him to, but I don't want to take advantage of that, looking after my earthly needs before looking after His.

I explained about how I related this verse to the more literal aspect of being fed, but I think the less literal meaning is much more significant. When I trust in the LORD, and do good on His behalf, I am fed with a spiritual food, not human. My soul is fed by a wholeness that only God can provide, that no egg sandwich will ever satisfy. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the lands, and verily thou shalt be fed. Psalm 37:3

What Do I Miss Out On?

Romans 1: 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

I left church yesterday and was trying to turn my cell phone on. The younger man in front of me, turned back to me and say ask me if I saw the bunny in the flower garden by where we were walking. I explained I hadn't and crooked my neck to see it. It was the cutest baby bunny hopping around among the plants.

As I continued to walk to my car, I realized that I had been too busy messing with my phone that I almost missed the special blessing of nature that God had before me. Then it dawned on me, It's too easy to get caught up in technology and miss other things God has for us to enjoy.

What do I miss out on? Well, that's a tricky question, because I probably don't know what I missed, because I was too busy to be aware of it. Did I miss a beautiful sunset or sunrise? Did I miss talking to a family member, so that they feel heard when they have concerns? Did I miss the solution to a problem that had been driving me to eat over it? Did I miss being there for a friend when they needed support the most? Did I miss a walk in the fresh air to strengthen and invigorate my soul? As you see, the list could be endless. Fortunately for me, God and people kind enough to draw my attention to little bunnies, have given me a new perspective on this. Hopefully, I don't backslide. Romans 1: 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

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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I Get a Little Too Big for My Own Pants!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Since I have been blessed by God's taking the urge to eat enormous amounts of food away from me, there are times I get over confident and get a little too big for my own pants! When I venture off and get caught up in my own world and put Jesus on the back shelf until I have more time, I'm doing that.

When I get caught up in the ways of the world and save worshiping Jesus until I do it on the fly, I'm doing that. When I get caught up in gossip, because it feels good to be the person other people consider is "in the know," I'm doing that. When I figure that Jesus doesn't want to hear all my petty problems, but settle down to a snack of junk food, I'm doing that.

Why do I do that, when I know full well that it is Christ alone that heals my need to eat excessive amounts of food? It is Christ alone that shows me that my focus should be on Him and not the ways of the world. Christ alone shows me that I need to make time for daily prayer and worship and that my day is never the same if I don't. Christ alone shows me that trying to get the approval of others through gossip or other means is fruitless. The only approval I need is that of my Lord and Savior and none of these ways leads to that.

When I find myself getting caught up in this and other things that are counterproductive to my walk with Christ, I have to apologize to Christ and ask Him to heal my soul and send His Holy Spirit to guide me when I'm tempted. Does that work forever? Not for me, but the next time that Jesus nudges my heart when I'm backsliding, I want to turn my focus back on Him as quickly as possible, because my life has no real meaning without Him. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

By Faith...

[This is very different from the way I normally put the Bible verses and passages, but I hope it gives you a feel for why Hebrews 11 is significant.]

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
v 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice... v 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death...v 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark... v 8 By faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed... v 9 By faith he [Abraham] sojourned in the in the land of promise... v 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age... v 17 by faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:... v 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau... v 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; ...v 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones... v 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents... v 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;... v 27 By faith he [Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king:... v 28 Through faith he [Moses] kept the passover... v 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land:... v 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed seven days... v 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not.

I heard a minister talk about this chapter and gave it deeper thought. It would take a lot of faith in God if I were told to build an ark, to go to the promised land, to walk around a city for seven days. Would I do what God wanted? I would hope so, but building an ark for the flood of all floods when the land is dry took a lot of faith in God. 

I pray that when God asks me to do things, I have the faith to blindly trust Him as all these people did. They didn't know in advance how things would turn out. They didn't know that the Red Sea wouldn't crash down on them when they walked through, but they trusted God to protect them and I want to have that same faith, as well, not just with my overeating, but in all aspects of my life.

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

I Have Shed Many Tears because of My Overeating Through the Years

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:16-17

Usually, when I hear this passage, I think of those who are about to join or have recently joined Christ in heaven. This time, this passage meant something different to me. This time, it reminded of all the tears I have shed over the years related to my overeating.

I cried when I wasn't picked to be on the teams at elementary school. I cried when the popular kids wouldn't associate with me in middle school. I cried when my boyfriend would look at prettier girls in high school. I cried when my first husband blamed my weight for his temper and actions. I cried when I looked at myself in the mirror and cried myself to sleep so many nights it's difficult to count.

I don't have to do that any more. That's not because God's allowed me to lose the vast majority of my excess weight. It's only because Christ has shown me that I don't have to cry myself to sleep any more. He is there to take care of me and comfort me and His love is unconditional. He doesn't care what size I am, how many stupid mistakes I've made in my life, whether I'm popular or not. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:16-17

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.



Do I Want Short Term or Long Term Pleasure? That's the Question!

Thou wilt shew me the path of life in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Here I am paraphrasing Shakespeare again.So, do I want short term or long term pleasure, that's the question? Being a person who led most of her life going for the short term pleasure of desserts, crunchy foods, and other foods that called my name, it's an important one for me to ponder.

Being a person who has always been a Bird-in-the-Hand person, instead of looking at long-range goals, this is even more significant for prayerful contemplation. Is saying something sarcastic back to the person who is is flippant worth it? Is having the latest technology and spending unending hours utilizing my investment to the point I ignore my Lord, my family, and my friends, really worth it?

Is it really worth letting people know how upset I am about something rather than prayerfully turning it and the anger over to God's very capable hands, really worth the immediate high from the outburst? I want to stay focused on turning worldly things that might give me some immediate pleasure over to God for His guidance in all things. I want to be a better example of how He works in my life. Thou wilt shew me the path of life in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11


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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