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/

Slipping Back into Old Patterns Is Sometimes Easier than Developing New Ones

Colossians 3: 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:

So, it's the end of the first month of the new year in 2019. Did you make yourself some New Years Resolutions? I have in the past, but don't tend to do it any more, not that there's anything necessarily wrong with it.

I found my goal is to be more Christ focused which helps me see when I start slipping back into old eating, stress, and negative patterns. Sure falling back to these old patterns is much easier than developing new ones, but I don't want to go back to the way that things used to be. 

Since Jesus showed me how food had become a false god, because I turned to it in time of stress, joy, sadness to comfort me instead of turning to Him, my life has been so incredibly different. I don't mean to say that every day of my life is perfect, but when I'm putting my life, food, body, eating, and stress in Christ's very capable hands, I don't feel as overwhelmed, because I know that Christ is right there with me through whatever it is. This comfort knowing He is right there beside me though all the events of my life, good and bad, is amazing that I would be devastated and don't want to take the chance of risking slipping back into those old patterns.

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

I Took the Story Too Far!

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep-So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11

 My grandfather used to tell me the story of the Ant and the Grasshopper. The passage above reminds me of the ant who worked hard all summer and put up food for the whole family, which had plenty when it was snowy outside without many food resources. The grasshopper, on the other hand, had a fun time all summer doing what he wanted, and he had his family were starving in the winter, because it was snowy outside without many food resources.

 It's a good story and definitely has a moral that many need to hear, but I took the story too far! I find that I work too hard trying to get all my ducks in a row, preparing for the future or future events, that I have a difficult time taking time to rest and relax, which is also important.

 I think that when I broke my heel and couldn't walk for so many months, God allowed me lots and lots of time to think about things like this. I'm very fortunate that Christ loves me enough to show me that I need to pace myself more and take more time to relax even after my foot has healed. 
Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

Entrapped by My Own Selfishness

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths. His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin.  Proverbs 5:21-22

 I wish I could tell you that this was a one time thing, but I have been entrapped by my own selfishness more times than I would ever like to admit. It was mainly with food items that I liked that I had a difficult time sharing. I would give others something else, so I could keep the "good stuff" for me. That happened so much over the years, but when Christ healed my compulsive overeating, He took that away. 

 I do have to be honest though. Every now and then, I find myself starting to be selfish with food. Fortunately, God shows me what I've been doing and then I try to rectify things. That mainly consists of giving the others the thing that I think will taste wonderful and I go get an apple or something of that nature. 

 That change is not from me. When Christ has it on my heart that my selfish food behaviors are like what He healed me from, it stops me dead in my tracks! I don't ever want food to become a false god to me, because Christ showed me that I was turning to food for pleasure, in times of stress, etc. instead of turning to Him. I don't want to lose this blessing that He has so graciously given me. The thing is, if He can give it to me, He can give it to you too, if you only turn your control of your food, body, eating, and stress over to Christ's very capable hands. 

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

Overwhelmed by the NEWS

Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. Proverbs 4:14-19

 The News is overwhelming to me, in fact, it's down-right depressing! I see so much hate and evil on the News that it makes me begin to think that the majority of the world is evil, too. Then, I see someone do something thoughtful for someone else, like complete strangers who came over and offered to help us mend our fence when it was about to fall down after a wind storm. It helps me realize that there still are nice people in this world!

 So, what can I do? I try to limit watching the local News, because it focuses on violent crimes in the area. This, I can do without. I try to make sure that the national News that I do watch is as unbiased as I can find. I like PBS News, because they tend to have people from both sides of the fence discuss any pertinent issues.  It least, that makes me feel like things are more balanced.

 The main thing I need to do is to remember to turn all these issues I see on the News over to Christ's very capable hands. I need to not fret and become overwhelmed by them like I used to when I would compulsively overeat when things felt out of my control. 

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

I Used to Worry Lots Until I Started Turning Things Over to Christ's Very Capable Hands

Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:25-26

 I used to worry about events, stressors, and potentially problematic situations long before they arose. I didn't just worry about them, I ate over them as well until my attention was focused on my sick stomach and how much the scale was going to go up the next time I weighed myself, instead of the initial problem.

 Once Christ showed me how my turning to food in times of stress instead of to Him, made food a false god in my life, He showed me that I needed to put all my concerns in His very capable hands. Once I was open to doing that, Jesus took all my fears away. I was not longer eating over things that stressed me or potentially problematic events that I used to eat over. 

 That's why the thought of losing my focus on Christ is overwhelming. Sure, I don't want to gain back all that weight that Jesus has kept off of me for over 30 years, but that's not as significant as this. I don't want to go back to worrying, stressing over things. I love that peaceful feeling that Christ gives me that I shouldn't worry and should just let Him be in control of things. I don't ever want to give up that calm feeling of knowing that my Lord is in charge!

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

My Interpretation of First Fruits

Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

 As I have mentioned before, I try to apply some of the Bible passages to my own life to make them even more meaningful to me when I read the Bible on a daily basis. Years ago, I tried to figure out what my first fruits were, since I didn't really grow fruit or live on a farm. Then, Christ showed me that food was something I valued, since it had become a false god in my life all those years before I started turning control of my food, body, eating, and stress in to Christ's very capable hands.

 So, in response to that, I give the best of what ever food I'm eating to God, in acknowledgement of all He's done for me with being in control of my compulsive overeating, life, body, and stress. I try to leave a bite of every type of food I leave for God, because to me the last bite is the very best. It goes further than that, it is my way of thanking Christ for all He's done in my life.

 Additionally, if some food is one of my favorites, I leave the first bite and the last bite for God. It's tricky to explain. I love juicy, crunchy apples. I feel like the very first bite of that apple is exceptional, as well as the very last bite, which is difficult to give up, because it's so good. The thing is, I don't have to let food have control over my life any more. I let Christ be in control of my life, so giving the first fruits to God, is saying just that. I want you to have the best of this food, because when You're in control of my food, body, eating, and stress, my life is so much more wonderful than any food can be, even a juicy, crunchy apple. 

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

I Forget to Be Thankful for How Much Healthier I Am, Since I Listened to Christ

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8

When I was 80+ pounds overweight over 30 years ago, that weight affected all aspects of my life, self-esteem, interactions with Christ and my family, and it also negatively affected my health. Some of these things are intertwined.

 An example: Because I am Hypoglycemic, when I would eat lots of sugary foods, it would elevate my blood sugar after eating it and drop it as low as a pancake later, sometimes the next day. When my blood sugar dropped so low in response to consuming too many sugary treats, I would be lethargic and cranky with those I cared about, including Christ.

 I blamed Him from not just turning my overeating around, because I prayed daily for Christ to help me with my over eating, to help me with my weight, and help me with any stressful issues in my life. During that phase of my life, I wanted to be in control and Jesus was supposed to wait in the back wings until I needed Him for something. It wasn't until Christ showed me some 30+ years ago that I had control issues. Once I was willing to finally admit it and put Christ in control, the rest of my life, vices, and other issues fell into place. Sure, I still had stressful situations, but I learned to turn them into Christ's very capable hands and to know that He was in charge of them. There was an added benefit in all of this for me, that I don't think of often. Christ allowed me to be so much healthier than I ever was physically, mentally, and spiritually. I am truly blessed!

 Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

Not Forgetting What It's Like

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4

 As I apply the Bible verses to my life, I find these verses are important to remember what it was like when I was overweight, eating compulsively, had a low self-esteem, and avoided interacting with others. Every now and then, I might see someone who is going through something similar to what I did for so many years. It's easy to let Satan pull me into being self-righteous and being judgmental of the person/s who are overeating or overweight the way that I was before I turned my food, body, eating and stress into Christ's very capable hands.

 God wants me, as well as everyone, to be compassionate to others who are experiencing difficult in any area of their life, whether with vices, life style choices, etc. He doesn't want us becoming complacent with were we now are and become the one who is judging others or making fun of them. 

 This passage shows me that Christ wants me to value mercy (compassionate understanding) and truth (that I am a sinful human being, as are all of us). We are supposed to write this on our hearts, so that we never let Satan blindly lead us to judging others and making fun of them in whatever predicament they may be experiencing, at that point. 

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

Change Our Hearts of Saul into the Hearts of Paul

1 John 4: 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 

About six to nine months ago, Christ gave me this wonderful idea that has changed my daily prayers and has probably made me less judgmental toward others. The idea He gave me is to ask for God to change our hearts of Saul (that was before the Apostle Paul was confronted by Jesus to turn his life around, to quit persecuting Christians and to share his faith in Jesus) to the hearts of Paul (which is to live the lives of Christians, sharing our faith, and putting our lives in Christ's very capable hands.)

 Now, when I pray, I ask God to change the lives whore mongers, sex traffickers, aggressive, drug dealers, drug takers, and drug makers, the abusive, pedophiles, pornographers, the Satanic, idolaters, those that don't know Christ, don't know Him properly, or those who have been led astray, world leaders, clergy, military, and all those who make the decisions that affect the lives of others and all of us and our families, extended families and loved one's hearts from the hearts of Saul to the hearts of Paul.

 This prayer, although one long sentence, gives me so much peace, knowing that I'm putting all these people and their families in Christ's hands. If Jesus could change the life of Saul around who had persecuted Christians with the intent to humiliate, imprison, and potentially kill Christians to Paul who became someone who lived the life of poverty and allowed himself to be imprisoned for sharing his faith in Jesus, then there is hope for all of us, even those we have doubts about. I realize that my prayers should no longer be limiting and only ask for those I personally care about, but for these people throughout the world. I ask you to be prayerful about doing the same. Since Christ had this on my heart to post this now instead of saving it for some future date, maybe He wanted you to be prayerful about this, as well.

When I Let Him, Christ Protects Me From Slip-Sliding into Old Patterns

When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Proverbs 2:10-13

 As I have said, that I take Bible passages from my daily Bible readings and try to apply them to my life to make them more meaningful to me. In this passage, I feel Christ is reminding me that when I make Him in control of my life, food, body, eating, stress, etc. it makes it easier for me to hear as Christ warns me of things that can lead me slip-sliding into old patterns.

 Before, when I was trying to be in control of my life and waved Christ off to the wings to wait and see if I needed His help, my life was chaotic and I was given to turning to food in times of stress and turmoil instead of to Him. Christ showed me that food had been a false god when I had done that. He also showed me that food and any other vices that I had were not pulling my strings when I turned to Jesus and allowed Him to be in control of my life, concerns, and vices. 

 He kept me from being sucked into a life focused on the comforts of food, but instead led me to know the comforts of protection from the old patterns I used to turn to. He doesn't only do this for me. He can do it for you, as well, if you ask Him and are open to letting Him be in control of your life, eating, body, stress, etc. 

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

Jesus Turned Me Around in My Tracks, Because I Wasn't Listening

Turn at My rebuke; Surely I will pour out My Spirit on you; I will make My Words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out My hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all My counsel, And would have none of My rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; They will seek Me diligently, but they will not find Me. Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord, They would have none of My counsel And despised My every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil. Proverbs 1:23-33

 This is a heavy Bible passage, but one of the things I like to do when I read the Bible is to try to apply it to my life and situation whenever possible. The evil in my application of this passage is the way that I let Satan have hold of me, my moods, my actions toward others, and my self-esteem when I was engaged in compulsive overeating.

 Christ tried to let me know that the more I got caught up in excessive eating, sweets, etc., I was drifting further and further away from my relationship with Him. Sure, I would ask God to help me lose the weight, help me be thin, help me with this stressful situation, and help me be a better parent and family member. If you notice, in all of these prayers, I was asking God to help me. I wasn't turning my food, my body, my stress and my interactions with my family into Christ's very capable hands. I wasn't giving up control and still wanted to be in charge, because I thought I knew best. While I was in the midst of trying to maintain that control, Christ let me wallow in the mess I was making of my life, because I wouldn't listen to Him and request to focus on Him.

 It wasn't until I had tried a bazillion different diets only to gain more weight back than I ever had before, I sat on my bed defeated and prayed. I said something like, "God, I give up. I've tried all these diets and I just can't do it. If You ever want me to be thin, You'll have to take care of it, because I can't." The funny thing is, it was that very same afternoon that Christ took away my urge of eating large amounts of food away from me. I was no longer called by sugary treats, excessive carbs and sneaky eating. I do have to admit that some of these will come back temporarily, because Satan doesn't want to give up on trying to undermine Christians and knows where our weaknesses are which seems to happen when I'm slipping back in trying to be in control again. When that happens, Christ tugs on my heart by letting me know what I'm doing and once I turn the control back into Christ's very capable hands, instead of Satan's or mine, God is again in control of my food, body, eating, stress, family, and life and everything goes much smoother in good times and in bad.

 Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

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