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/

Every Good Gift Comes from God-

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

After about six months or so, I am only a couple of pounds away from my goal weight. That means God has allowed me to lose almost all of the extra weight I had gained from being sloppy with my eating and with my relationship with God.

God has blessed me twice with weight loss. The first time, God had me lose over 80 pounds. I have had so many people say things like, "No, God couldn't do it without you. You are the one that...." They are wrong. I didn't do a single thing. I got fed up with trying diet after diet for so many years, to no avail. Sure, I'd lose a couple of pounds, but I would always gain back even more weight and my self-esteem would be even lower than before I had lost those few pounds.

As I said, Over 30 years ago, I gave up and told God that if He ever wanted me to be thin, He'd have to take care of it, because I couldn't do it any more. The funny thing is, I never even expected God to do it when I said that. I was just giving up! The miracle in all of this is that God had me lose the weight and things changed that very day without me suspecting that I was in the midst of this major miracle. Now, this may not seem like a major miracle to some, but if you've been overweight for most of your life, struggling to lose it through diet after diet, and all of a sudden the weight starts coming off, and eating large quantities of food doesn't appeal to you any more-it's a pretty significant miracle!

In the last few years that weight had started creeping back on. I realized that meant that I had been taking the miracle that God did for me for granted. I was being sloppy with both my eating and my relationship with God. During this time that I have been writing blog posts for Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog, it has been a source of reminding me of all that God does for me on a daily basis. It reminds me that I have to turn my worries, concerns, joys, control, and food over to God's very capable hands and He will free me from these.

My fear was that when I lost the extra weight, my readers might not continue to relate to me. The thing that I found through this blog is that the name is very appropriate, because I need to continue to turn these same things over to God on a daily basis. It doesn't mean that once the weight is off, I say thanks God, and go off on my merry way. I want God to be an on-going part of my daily life, whether I'm overweight or thin. I would hope that readers like you can still relate to my blog, despite the weight loss. I think that the Community of Faith, even if it's focused on weight loss and our relationship with God, is a powerful thing in our lives! Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

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 verses.





Exactly What Have I Given Up for God?-

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

This is pretty significant when you think of it. Jesus gave up all He had and lived a life of poverty just for me. So, exactly what have I given up for God?

I used to be an overeater and I have given up the compulsion to overeat. Now, have I really given up something or was this a blessing that God gave me when I turned my overeating over to His very capable hands?

I have given up my anger and am much less negative.  Now, have I really given up something or was this a blessing that God gave me when I turned my my anger over to His very capable hands?

I have given up my need to control.  Now, have I really given up something or was this a blessing that God gave me when I turned my need to control over to His very capable hands?

I have given up my my stress.  Now, have I really given up something or was this a blessing that God gave me when I turned my worry over to His very capable hands?

I have given up my concern about money.  Now, have I really given up something or was this a blessing that God gave me when I turned my concern about money to His very capable hands?

If you think of it, I really haven't given up anything and have been blessed beyond measure. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

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 verses.





What's That Mean? That Means-

Titus 2: 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.

I felt the burden of being overweight for years. But I could feel the weight of my shoulders burdened as I read this. What's that mean?

That means I can't get involved in gossip sessions, because I need to be a good example to others. On the other hand, I can redirect negative conversation to something more appropriate.

That means, I can't go out and do heavy-duty partying with others, because I might be showing them that's a way to deal with their stress. On the other hand, I can tell them I used to like to get together with friends after a stressful week. I can share that when I started turning my stress over to God, He took the stress away and gave an indescribable peace that only Jesus can give.

That means, I can't go around blaming others for everything from the way the country is run to the price of gas. If I blame others, that leads others to let anger and resentment grow in their lives rather than feeling the blessings that only God can give. On the other hand, I can tell them that no matter how high the price of gas gets or who makes our laws, their faith that God will get them through tough financial times is an inspiration to others.  

That means, I can't join in conversations where women are belittling their husbands. It's only a joke anyway, isn't it? The thing is, when we even jokingly put down our husbands, it makes us see our husbands in a less than desirable light. When we are married, we are supposed to be a support to them, not be drawing attention to all their faults. On the other hand, I can tell them that I admire their patience in trying times, because they are a role model to others.

That means, I can't join in with those who are complaining about all they have do around the house for their children, because they feel like taxi drivers instead of independent women. I can't pity those who regret the money they gave up in their former job in order to be there with their children. On the other hand, I can tell them that I'm impressed with them valuing their children's upbringing more than money. Titus 2: 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.

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.





Letting Those Spiteful Feelings Eat at Me-

James 19: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Now that I was thin, I had a right to be angry with those who were rude to me when I was heavy...or did I? I thought that after all the smirks, all the times of being ignored, all the times of standing alone in a crowd of people, I was certainly justified in my anger of those involved.

Maybe it's understandable, but it's definitely not justified. It's sad the way I let that anger build up all those years that I was overweight. In my opinion, anger erodes at the positive nature that God has within us. It eats at us and fills us with negative, spiteful feelings. I was no longer overeating, but I was letting those spiteful feelings eat at me.

I was finally thin. You would think I would be happier, but I wasn't. It seemed that I had a chip on my shoulders and anger was smouldering inside of me. Once I realized the role that anger was playing in my life, I could turn it over to God's capable and healing hands. Of course, that invovled forgiving those who had not been sensitive to me when I was heavy, but God can give us a forgiving nature, when we let Him. James 19: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

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.


I Was Talking About My Boss Behind His Back-

Hebrews 10: 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Somehow, when having been overweight for so many years, I think I felt better when I could put other people down. It's not that I did this often, but I still was party to talking about others behind their backs, at times.

This one time, it caught up with me! I was talking to a fellow teacher after school about something or other. During the conversation, I made a negative comment about the principal. As I elaborated on this, I looked at the doorway, lo and behold, it was the principal!!! I never did know if he heard the negative things I was saying, but I knew. God let me know that I wasn't being a good example of how He works in my life.

It's sad that we feel compelled to do things to belittle others to bolster our sagging self-esteem. Fortunately for me, God has healed this and He forgives me, although Satan still tries to sneak in and work this subtle wedge in my relationship with God, at times. Hebrews 10: 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

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:



Why Wasn't I Satisfied?

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek Him: your heart shall live for ever. Psalm 22:26

My husband I each ate a whole salad that has been marked down. Usually, we split one and eat it with our dinner. Since I didn't have specific meal plans, we decided to each eat one. In addition, I decided to have some oatmeal, because I hadn't had any that morning. That should have been enough, but was it? Nope! It wasn't 15 minutes before I was rummaging through the freezer to find my frozen pecans-my nemesis.

Was I really hungry when I started rummaging through the freezer? No! The big salad and the oatmeal pretty much filled me. I'm not certain why I felt compelled to get the pecans. I know that I have gained unwanted pounds back by becoming vulnerable to the crunch of these frozen nuts. Why wasn't I satisfied?

Well, I'm trying to be prayerful and honest about this one as I write this post. Was I worried about something I'm not acknowledging? Possibly. I do have some health concerns about people I care about, but I'm not sure that's why. Was I fearful about something? Other than the health concerns that I mentioned, I don't feel fearful. What comes to mind was that I thought I deserved the pecans right before I went to get them. If I felt I deserved the pleasure these nuts give me, then it ties right into the Bible verse of this post. If I felt I deserved something, that means I wasn't satisfied with what God's given me. I feel so sad right now. I've been blessed by God taking away all this excess weight and His keeping the vast majority of it off for over 30 years! How arrogant of me to think that I deserved the pleasure of the pecans. Sure God has provided them as a healthy food to be used in moderation, but nothing I do makes me deserving of all Christ has done for me and continues to do for me on a daily basis. Although I am undeserving of His love, Jesus gives it freely. Although I am undeserving of Christ's forgiveness, He also give that freely if we ask Him, which is what I need to do right now! The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek Him: your heart shall live for ever. Psalm 22:26

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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Going Through All the Motions of Being a Good Christian When I'm the One I Need to Be Saved From

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:3

I really hate sharing this, because I'm humiliated that I ever acted this way, but need to be honest with viewers. About 15 years ago, we had movers who unpacked all our belongings after a long move to our newest location. I was courteous to them, made them lunch, gave them water, and a tip. Wasn't that very magnanimous of me to help out these hard working men who looked like they hadn't had a decent meal in weeks?

No! You're right, I did say No! O.K. Here goes... When these men left, or so I thought, I had a conversation with my husband about them. I made negative comments about their looks and made assumptions of previous life-style choices they may or may not have made in their lives.

God loves me very much, because He cared enough about me to teach me a lesson! A few minutes after making these negative comments to my husband, there was a knock on my basement door where my husband and I were unpacking boxes. It was the lead mover, who was not a happy camper and why would he be? I had gone through all the motions of being a good Christian, but my words showed otherwise. He was gracious and said nothing to me about these negative comments, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that he had heard. What's more than that, God heard these ugly and judgmental comments come out of my mouth.

When I remembered this terrible experience recently, that I would rather push to the darkest recesses of my mind, I felt guilty all over again. I could have been drawn to eat over that guilt that happens periodically, especially when I see the same type of moving van. I need to continue to be prayerful that God heals the ugliness that can creep up inside me, so that all my actions and words are aligned with God's will for me! I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:3

When I'm My Own Worst Enemy

He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, Thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: Thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Psalm 18:48

When I just read this passage, it meant something totally different to me. What about when I'm my own worst enemy, which is often the case? I sabotage my eating, but buying things that I know I shouldn't have. We went to the State Fair. I got some Kettle Corn, something I learned to like about 7 or 8 years ago, when I should know better.

Sure, you should be able to indulge from time to time, but I have Hypoglycemia and sugar really affects my blood sugar which usually makes me cranky when the sugar wears off.  For the most part, I really try to avoid things with refined sugar for that reason,but didn't do it at the fair. Had I forgotten how it might affect me? No, I thought about it, but decided to get it anyway. At first, I got two small bags, thinking I would give one of the small bags to a relative who loves it, as well. It wasn't fifteen minutes before I was at the stand asking if I could trade the two smaller bags of Kettle Corn for a larger one, but pay the difference. They were very gracious about making the trade, but I shouldn't have done it.

I knew how the sugar in the Kettle Corn could affect me and now I had lots of it. I thought I was clever when I made lots of air popped popcorn and mixed the two kinds together in a large paper bag. Sure, there was less sugar in the Kettle Corn, but there was so much of it. I gave a big bowl to my husband and had a big bowl myself. I knew I shouldn't, but I felt delighted in my clever plan to minimize the effects of the sugar by mixing it with air popped popped corn.

My plan back fired on me! My husband didn't eat any of it. Did that stop me from eating all of my large bowl of Kettle Corn? No, but I prayed and asked for God's guidance. He had me realize that I would end up eating all of that big bag of Kettle Corn by myself and how it could affect me. After lots of prayer and struggle with giving it away, I bagged it all up to give to the family member to share with their family. Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy, especially when I don't listen to the instincts that Christ gives me! He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, Thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: Thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Psalm 18:48


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.


I Found Myself Frantically Wolfing It Down!

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears. Psalm 18:6

I found myself frantically wolfing down food and reaching for more. Was I hungry? Probably not. I was eating it so fast that I really didn't take time to think about it. I really couldn't be hungry, because of the amount of food I had already eaten, but it felt like I couldn't stop!

I knew I should stop, but I really didn't want to. I knew I should pray, but I really wanted to wolf the food down more and for God to magically make the extra weight go away. After Christ has had His hand in my weight loss of 80+ pounds and allowed me to keep the majority of the weight off for over 30 years, you would think that I wouldn't get so caught up in the food. I know better and know how it can become a false god in our lives with us turning to food in time of stress instead of turning to our Lord, but I fought off that knowledge. It was pure craziness!

In between mouthfuls, I quickly prayed for God to help me and you know what? He did! He was listening even when I was trying not to listen to Him. He was there even though I was ignoring Him, but He didn't ignore me. I feel so sad while I type this, because God doesn't ever give up on me, although I often give up on myself, and sometimes Him. I am so ashamed to say this, but want to be honest with the viewers of this blog, so you can see what miracles God can do in your life. If He can turn my eating around in the midst of the craziness, He can do it for you, too! In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears. Psalm 18:6

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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