It Didn't Take Much Enticement

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Proverbs 1:10

All I can say is that it didn't take much enticement to get my eating spiraling in a counterproductive direction. I went to lunch with my husband to a deli salad bar, one of my favorites. I piled my salad sky-high with all the yummy healthy toppings that I love. I felt sluggish after eating this healthy salad. Had I overdone it?

I would have told you no, because I've eaten this healthy salad lots of times in the past. To top that off, we were meeting family for dinner to celebrate a birthday. At first, I figured that I wouldn't order anything, because I was still full from lunch. Did I stick to that plan? No. I decided I would order a dinner and just eat half of it. I did, but my plan didn't work out the way I thought. I was nauseous all that evening and most of the next day.

Sometimes I'm a Straddling Christian in much the same way. I come up with schemes of how I can do things for God, but do my own thing, as well. It's like I want to to make God and the very worldly side of myself happy at the same time, when I know better. Fortunately for me, Christ shows me what I'm doing and forgives me when I ask Him to. I am very blessed! My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Proverbs 1:10

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

Creation: What's It Matter?

I've Been Given a Multitude of Mercies

But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:32-33

 I hope that I don't make my weight loss seem like a piece of cake, pun intended! I couldn't resist. I thought to change it to a walk in the park, but I thought the original was much funnier. Small pleasures!

Anyway, I had many grief stricken days throughout all the years I was overweight. Every time I went to my closet, I would get frustrated because I didn't have much to wear that fit or was comfortable. I knew that putting those items on would make me aware of what I was doing to my body and how it affected my self-esteem, my relationship with God, and my relationship with my family.

How could my being overweight affect my relationship with God. Well, for one, I was turning to food instead of turning to Christ in times of stress, etc. Food had become a false god in my life. Additionally, there were times that I wouldn't go to church, because I didn't want others to see me in my too tight clothes. Not to mention, how sad it made Him when He saw how it affected my relationship with my family.

My self-esteem was dragging and I took it out on my family, by being impatient with them. I didn't go as many places with them as I would have liked to, because it was so difficult for me to go out in public. I regret not being a better role model. Fortunately for me, Christ took compassion on me and has healed my compulsions. Does that mean that I don't ever backslide? Unfortunately, not. Fortunately for me, Christ is merciful and reminds me when I start back-tracking. I am so very blessed, because I don't want to be a Back-Tracking Christian. But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:32-33

These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

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Christianity, Politics, and Milking Votes

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Proverbs 1:33

Sometimes I get concerned, because I feel that some politicians have realized that they can get a big block of votes by being a Political Christian. Some of these people take on similar views as those of a particular Christian belief, working those people to milk them for their votes.

Some of these politicians utilize fear to manipulate the viewer/listener to vote for them or a particular bill. When this seems to be rampant in the media, I sometimes find myself getting caught up in that fear they are trying to perpetuate to milk votes. There was a time where I would have eaten myself silly, because of the fear that was encouraged by strategic sharing of politicians.

Fortunately for me, Christ reminds me of this passage and other related passages that calm me in the midst of this fear mongering. Sure the world isn't perfect and we have things that we need to change. Instead of letting my fear guide me and my voting, I need to be more mindful of trusting that Christ will take care of me and get me through what lies ahead. In doing so, I need to make sure that I am voting for the politician that is most aligned with what Christ would want us to do for the poor, the infirm, the homeless, the depressed, and oppressed throughout the world and not be guided by fear from those who are trying to milk my vote.

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

Sometimes I'm a Slow Learner

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:6-7

I needed to have a personal conversation with a family member and fretted over what I should say. There have been times where I have avoided conversations like this by eating into oblivion. Fortunately for me, Christ has shown me in the past, when I turn these concerns over into His very capable hands, He takes care of the situation much better than I had ever imagined.

I kept waking up in the night trying to plan what I would say, only to be reminded that I should put it in Christ's capable hands. This must have happened six or seven times. Sometimes I'm a Slow Learner Christian. When I woke up, I prayed that God guide what I said and the timing for talking to this person, because God always knows the Big Picture and knows what that person needs to hear.

Fortunately, I listened. Instead of rehashing all the previous discussion to clarify things like I had planned during the night, I just moved forward without addressing the past. It was wonderful. The conversation was positive and developed a better basis for communication in the future. I am so truly blessed that Christ takes pity on Slow Learner Christians like me.

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

Creation: What's It Matter?

A Cheeky Reply I Regret

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:28-29

God's timing is always impeccable. This passage is more for me than anyone else, but I hope it helps others, as well. Last night, I was trying to measure the kitchen for new flooring. My husband has one method of measuring and I had another. Of course, I figured my way was right!

In the midst of a call with a family member, I tried to measure the room with the tape measure, which was turning this way and that. My husband commented that he was concerned that I might harm his good metal tape measure and I said something sarcastic back.

The person at the other end of the phone heard my less than gracious reply and commented. That person hadn't heard what had been said prior to that. Instead of eating about it afterwards like I would have in the past, I was prayerful about the situation and the comment. I realized that it didn't matter what was said to me prior to my response. I am still supposed to be a good example of being a Christian, even when I have a difference of opinion with someone else. I feel embarrassed that a family member heard my cheeky reply. I don't want to be a Cheeky Christian, because I want to be a better role model of my Christian ethics. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:28-29

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The Other Extreme

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. Proverbs 15:33

There were times, years ago, when I lost weight and I wanted to flaunt my body. Not in any outrageous way, but I wanted to wear clothes that showed off that I was much thinner. I was under some impression that others would think more highly of me. What's more than this, I thought I would think more highly of myself when then did. Did that happen? Quite the reverse!

First of all, most of the people I knew didn't really notice the difference. The weight loss was much more significant to me that it was to others. Those who did pay attention were those I didn't want to pay attention. I went from little attention to cat calls from men in passing cars. I was a married woman and it made me feel guilty for getting this unwanted attention. I had only wanted attention for those I knew or wanted to know.

I felt so overwhelmed by this unwanted attention that I went to the other extreme! I ate and ate and ate until I gained all my weight back and then some. It did stop the cat calls and I felt relieved...for a minute or two. What I hadn't dealt with was my sagging self-esteem which seemed to be wrapped up in my clothing size. I let it tell me who I was and whether I was worthwhile or not. Once I was being more humble, turning my food, stress, and life over to God's very capable hands, I found that my self-esteem was no longer dragging on the ground. I no longer let clothing size, friendships, or attention from others determine who I was. I was God's child regardless of my size and He loves me regardless! He loved me when I was heavy and when I was thin. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. Proverbs 15:33

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Creation: What's It Matter?

Boredom and Too Much Time On My Hands

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3

Boredom arises sometimes when I have had too much time on my hands. Sure, I could get up and do the laundry, the dishes, or clean the bathrooms. Yuk! Obviously, those don't appeal to me as something to do during those rare times when I'm not busy.

What I've ended up doing, more times than I'd like to admit is watching TV and I eventually get a bag of some type of snack to munch on to keep my hands busy.  During those times, it seems like before I know it, most of the bag is gone. Was I hungry? No. I just aimlessly munched my way through the bag. I wish I could tell you that I no longer do this, now that I turn my stress, my eating, and my life over to my Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, there are times that I fall back into that old rut.

I would be much better off with knitting or crocheting, with my hands rather than downing a bag of some type of crunchy snack. What would be even better is if I turned the TV off and talked to God about my wanting to eat when I'm not hungry. Sometimes I do this, but there are still times when I start to fall back into that old rut and engage in one of my vices. I don't want to be an Old Rut Christian who is led astray by human vices when I have too much time on my hands. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3

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Playing Board Games

Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Proverbs 16: 8

I always liked to play board games, although I'm not very competitive. I just like the interactions with others, but never liked when the games led to disagreements. The disagreements seemed greater when play money or possessions were involved.

You would think this was only something I experienced when I was child, but that's not the case. Actually, I have seen more adults that I would like to admit, who have gotten tense when they were playing board games, especially those involving play money or possessions. I even remember one adult who stole some of the play money to give themselves an advantage over the other players. At first, I thought this person was just joking around, but that wasn't the case.

When I'm finding fault with these people, I have to look into my own life, before I cast that first stone. That's why reading the Bible from cover to cover is so significant. It allows me to try to apply Bible verses to my life and see the message that God has for me in the text. Well, in doing this, I thought of how I stole candy and graham crackers when I was a child. You might think that children do these things, no big deal. The thing is, when I was in the midst of my compulsive overeating, I hid food from my family. When I was afraid that something I really liked would be eaten by others, I hid it, so that they wouldn't get it and I would. So, if I'm applying this verse to my life and not the lives of those who stole play money in a game, I might paraphrase this to say, "Better is a little food that is yours, than hiding food from the rest of your family just because it's your favorite." Fortunately for me, Christ forgives me for these things and leads me to put my compulsive overeating into His very capable hands. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Proverbs 16: 8

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God Knows the Big Picture

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

I am so thankful for God's personal reminder to me through this Bible verse. He reminds me that I plot things out, figuring step-by-step what I should do or say in a particular situation, but God knows the Big Picture. He knows exactly what I should do, not what I planned to do. God knows the hearts of the people I am dealing with and exactly what the people need to hear, not what I planned to say.

I need to be more mindful of turning my words (things I say) and my actions (things I do) over into God's very capable hands. You would not imagine how many times I've fretted over a future situations eating to console the knotted feeling in my stomach. That feeling is a physical indicator that I need to turn those situations and worries over into God's very capable hands.

When I do, things fall into place. The things that I do, when I'm open to being led, are just what they needed to be. The things I say, when I'm letting God guide my words, are so perfect that I will later be amazed at how well they flowed together and set a positive tone to the conversation. I need to be a Big Picture Christian, turning everything over to Christ who always sees the Big Picture! A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

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Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

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