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/

Prayerfully Debating What Is Next...

John 15: 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them , and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 

This Bible passage is a continuation of the Bible passage I wrote about in the last post which was John 15: 1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Both passages have to do with bringing forth much fruit for Christ and I am prayerfully debating what He wants me to do next. In the last three or four months, I've felt Christ has, at different times, led me to end posting on some of my Christian blogs and empower readers to click on the post links to topics that appeal to them. 

 I've felt each time this is to free me up to focus on the Biblical Research I've felt led to do. I've gotten the feeling that I'm supposed to take and analyze different Biblical inconsistencies and see if they are even significant. It's scary and exciting all at the same time, but I pray my way through. I share this Biblical Research on the Relate2theBible Podcast found at https://anchor.fm/debra-seiling also on most podcast sites. I post these research projects on Do Biblical Inconsistencies Really Matter? at https://Biblicalinconsistencies.blogspot.com/ and Biblical Proof! at https://BiblicalProof.blogspot.com/  The thing is, I'm not sure whether He wants to purge more to bring forth even more fruit.

 Last night, I was prayerfully contemplating some of this. I felt certain that I was to continue posting on the Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog. I may have been rationalizing things, but thought it was important for blog readers to see that Christ has been by my side throughout the time since He allowed me to lose over 80 pounds 30+ years ago. That's when I started calculating and realized that it is now 40 years ago that He had done this. Thinking through this, it was 40 1/2 years ago when I gave up and told God that if He ever wanted me to be thin, He'd have to do it, because I was giving up! That was the very same day that things miraculously changed in my life! I think that's because that's the first time I gave up control of my life and turned it over to Jesus. He showed me that my focus on food had become a false god in my life and that I had been turning to it for comfort in times of stress, etc. instead of turning to Christ and putting it in His very capable hands. Yesterday, I thought it was so important to continue these posts for you to see He never gives up on me even when I start to fall back into old routines, He helps refocus me. I am, right now, learning that this will be the last blog post. You can get the vast majority of the posts links from this blog at Christian Overeaters Past and Present Support at https://christianovereaterssupport.blogspot.com/ Please help me with this next phase of producing fruit for Christ and share these blog links with those who might benefit. Thanks! Debbie

Maybe I Need a Standby...

John 15: 1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 

I initially selected this Bible passage, because it tied in with fruit, but it is so much more significant than this!!! I was going to tell that after the situation in my last post, where I wanted something to munch on, but had already eaten two apples at lunch, I realized that I shouldn't eat more than one apple then, so I have one left for later...but that is all worldly things and this blog is so much more than food and eating or not eating!

 This passage reminds me that as a Christian, I need to bear fruit as such, sharing my faith with others in some form or another. Sure, I write these Christian blogs, but am I really doing all that Christ wants of me? Am I getting to the point where I minimally share my faith in Christ with others, just touching on it so that it's a portion of this or other blogs? Do I just do what's comfortable and easy?

 See, the second portion of this Bible passage is that every branch that beareth fruit, He [God] purgeth that it may bring forth more fruit. So, if I am truly to being open to what Christ wants of me, I would be willing for Him to correct me, focus me, bring me about to being the Christian He truly wants me to be, so that I can bring forth even more fruit. I know that Christ has been leading me out of my comfort zone, so I need to be prayerful about the direction He is leading me....

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 Being Content

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

I have explained that although this pandemic and social distancing is stressful, Christ has taken that stress off my plate and I haven't felt like overeating like I would have some years ago, before I started turning my food, body, eating and stress over to His very capable hands.

The other night, I wanted to munch something. It didn't really matter what, but I still wanted to munch something! I prayerfully contemplated this, because I haven't had this urge much, since the pandemic. I already had a substantial dinner, so that wasn't the reason why I wanted to munch something. 

I tried to think back through the foods I had eaten and I had already eaten two apples, so I couldn't have any more. I wasn't satisfied with that and continued to try to figure out what I could eat and stay within my eating program. I ended up getting some raw pumpkin seeds I had in the freezer. I really like the roasted ones, but they aren't as healthy, so I get the raw ones to keep for periodic healthy snacking. Although I ended up with something to munch, I have to be prayerful about why I felt so strongly about munching. Usually, food things are tied up in stress or feelings I haven't come to terms with. I need to be prayerful about this!

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

An Apple a Day...

Romans 6: 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I actually picked this Bible verse, because it has the word fruit in it to tie in with my topic, but I really like what it says about become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

 I mainly wanted to tell you about how during the stressors of this pandemic, Christ has taken the urge to eat large amounts of food away from me. Instead, when I still feel hungry after a meal, usually at lunch time, I get an apple or two. It has become my healthy standby for times like this.

 On the other hand, I have to make sure that I always have plenty of apples available, but I'm still talking about fruit. What I need to say is that it is Christ who gives me His Peace Which Passes All Understanding which gets me through these difficult times. I know that Jesus won't take me to join Him two minutes before I'm supposed to, so there really isn't any reason to worry. He will be by my side throughout this pandemic and the rest of my life. Does that mean I get to skip social distancing or wearing masks? No! He doesn't want me to take undue risks any more than He wants me to run out into the middle of the street, expecting Him to stop the cars from hitting me. This isn't a time for Him to prove He loves me, because He already did that when He gave His life for me on the cross and rose again, so that I can have salvation with Him in heaven someday, when He's ready for me!

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

Being Unthankful

Luke 6: 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

 I've posted several times about how Christ has given me His Peace Which Passes All Understanding during this pandemic. Instead of worrying and feeling like eating the doorknobs off, like I might have done before I started turning my food, body, eating, and stress over to Christ's capable hands, I've had a sense of calm and little desire to overeat.

 I've lost about half of the extra twenty pounds I had gained back over the years, but I have been very thankful, because Christ has allowed the vast majority of the 80+ pounds to stay off the vast majority of this time. Since, I hadn't really been trying to lose that extra weight and thought it was a sign of aging, I started getting worried about losing too much. 

 The other night, I woke up and it felt like my hip bones were sticking out. I prayed about it and went into the bathroom to weigh to make sure this wasn't happening. What I saw was that I had instead gained 2/10 of one pound. Instead of being grateful that I wasn't continuing to lose weight at an unhealthy rate, I was unthankful for having gained a mere 2/10 of one pound! I know this Bible verse says that God is also kind to the unthankful and to the evil, but I never figured I would fall into that category. I need to get my faith aligned with my Savior and not worry about gaining or losing weight, since it can become a false god.

 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

Feeling Cocky during COVID-19

Writing these posts helps me refocus on Christ when I start falling back into old patterns. When I wrote and scheduled the last few posts, I realized that I am having risky behaviors that threaten the balance in my life that Christ gave me over 30 years ago when I told Him that if He ever wanted me to be thin, He'd have to do it, because I couldn't.

 I was so surprised that day, because Christ took away my urge to eat large quantities of food, especially ones that weren't good for me like sweets, carbs, and ice cream. In writing these posts, I realize that I've been getting cocky. I taking chances with my eating that are not necessary. I've been sampling items I've baked. I tasted a broken piece of cookie to see if it was fit for consumption. I've eaten extra breads and amounts of carbs, when He showed me how many I can normally use without gaining extra weight.

 Why am I doing this? During COVID-19, Christ gave me His Peace Which Passes All Understanding and I even lost some of the extra weight I had gained back years ago. Sure, the vast majority of the 80+ pounds I had lost over 30 years ago stayed off, because of Christ's positive influence in my life, but I had lost half of the 20 pounds I had gained back. I always chalked it off to aging, so I didn't worry about it much. The thing is, I started getting cocky, with thinking I can try a little of this and a little of that or I can have the second piece of regular bread, because I had lost extra weight thanks to Christ's influence amidst this stressful time. The thing is, Satan knows when we Christians are vulnerable and I have been taking his bait and threatening my health, but more than that, threatening my close relationship with my Lord and Savior and no bite of something, even something scrumptious is ever worth that. I need to make Christ my priority right now and get off my high horse by taking undue risks!

 FYI: In that I am trying to focus more time on doing research on Biblical Inconsistencies to see if they are significant, I will be posting Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog on Thursdays only, instead of two days a week. Thank you for being supportive for this research project that I have felt led to do. You can read this research at either of these two blogs: Do Biblical Inconsistencies Really Matter? at https://Biblicalinconsistencies.blogspot.com/ and Biblical Proof! at https://BiblicalProof.blogspot.com/ Share these links with those who might benefit. Thanks! Debbie

 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

Baking During COVID-19

My husband has a sweet tooth and was used to eating lots of store bought goodies. I never quite understood that, because I always felt home-made baked items was much better, but that's what he liked. Additionally, I'm not so tempted by store baked items that can sit on the shelves for 16 years and still taste fresh, so I didn't complain.

 Then, there was the food shortage during COVID-19 and we couldn't get all the goodies that my husband liked to eat, so I started baking. When Christ took away the urge to eat large quantities of food over 30 years ago, He also showed me which foods and amounts were good for me and which weren't. I especially can't have items with refined sugar, because I'm Hypoglycemic and it messes with my blood sugar and I get cranky when my blood sugar crashes after a sugar high.

 With Christ's guidance, I generally stay clear of desserts and treats, but I threw everything off kilter when I started baking treats for my husband, because of the food shortage. I have found myself wavering some, in that I tell myself that I need to taste a small serving of whatever I've made to make sure it tastes good enough to share with others. As you know, I've been deluding myself, because that is putting sugar into my blood stream, even though it may not be a large amount of it. In the last post, I let you know that I tasted a large crumb of a cookie that was dried out and it made me want to eat the whole container of them. Christ is showing me that I'm taking undue risks that have the potential to lead me in a counterproductive direction. Writing these posts are helpful, because writing the previous post and this one, show me that I am taking risky chances. I need to ask Christ to be in control of my food, body, eating and stress, like I asked Him over 30 years ago. He took care of then and will now, if I let Him!

 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

Just a Bite of Oatmeal Cookie...

Over 30 years ago, Christ took away my cravings for excessive overeating, but every now and then, I make a choice where I stand at the edge of slipping back into old patterns. I had tried all types of diets and some of them, several times, but never lost much weight and gained that back plus some in short order!

 I got to the point that I decided that I just need to give up the thought of ever being thin, so I prayed telling God that if He ever wanted me to be thin, He'd have to do it, because I was giving up!!! The funny thing is, that very day, Christ took away my urge to overeat large amounts of food and types that my body didn't handle well, especially desserts, carbs, and ice cream! I am very blessed that He has allowed the vast majority of the weight to stay off all this time, but as I said, there are times where I stand at the edge.

 The night before last, I found that my husband hadn't been eating the Oatmeal Pecan Raisin Cookies I had made for him. He had left them out on top of the fridge and I had to remind him that when I make cookies from scratch, they don't have all the preservatives like store bought ones do, so they won't be lasting 16 years and might dry out. With that said, the following day, he hadn't eaten one, so I ate a large chunk that had broken off of one. Of course, it was to see if they had dried out or if they had started to taste bad-at least, that's what I told myself. When I ate that piece of cookie, it was dried out, but tasted so wonderful. I could have eaten the whole batch of cookies all by myself. I was tempted, but went to my husband and explained that if he dips his fingers into water and sprinkles the cookies and nukes them for about 20-30 seconds, it refreshes them. I stood on that edge for so long and could feel that sugar rush, even with that chunk of cookie. Fortunately, I put it in Christ's very capable hands and explained to my husband that if he no longer wants them, I'm going to need to throw them out, because I don't want them to tempt me. Usually things like that don't get to me anymore, but I don't usually eat a bite of them. It lets me know how tempting and destructive one little bite of something can be to my resolve. Fortunately, Christ refocuses me when I start debating making choices that could lead me to slip-sliding back into 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

Tortilla Chips During COVID-19

I've I said in other posts, when I turned my food, body, eating and stress over to Christ's capable hands over 30 years ago, He allowed me to lose 80 plus pounds and for the vast majority of it to stay off all these years.

 Instead of my trying to be in control of my eating and weight loss like I did all those years prior to this, Christ guided me and showed me which things I could eat and not eat and in what amounts. An example is that I found out that I can't eat things with refined sugar, especially ice cream. That's because I'm Hypoglycemic and the sugar raises my blood sugar really high, especially after eating ice cream, but then drops it really low usually the next day and I get really cranky when my sugar levels crash! After trying this more times than I'd like to admit, I've come to the conclusion to not eat, or hardly ever eat ice cream or other foods high in refined sugar, because they make me cranky with the ones around me, which are usually the people I care most about.

 In addition, I was shown that my body handles up to three servings of breads: 1 slice of bread, pizza, pasta, baked potato, rice, etc. When I eat more than that very often, my body gains weight, so I generally try to pay attention to my serving limits...but... during COVID-19, I was eating cottage cheese and crushed pineapple in water for lunch. I realized that I hadn't eaten a bread and got to have a serving. I was trying to think about what I wanted and decided to have some tortilla chips for my bread. Did I do it within reason? No, I ate a third of the bag. I let myself get carried away with this instead of measuring out a servings worth of the tortilla chips. I have to put this and other lapses of judgment into Christ's very capable hands and He will take care of it, if I let Him! 

 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

Sandwiches during COVID-19

I have been really blessed, because over 30 years ago, I gave up and told Christ that if He ever wanted me to be thin, He'd have to take care of it Himself, because I couldn't. He started that very day, which amazed me, because I was just basically giving up on the bazillion diets I had tried over the years, to only gain back more than I started with. I was giving up on the thought of ever trying to be thin, because I had tried so many things, including acupuncture for weight loss, but only ended up with an infected ear. I was just giving up!

 I've tried to figure it out over the years, why God took control of my food, body, stress and eating on the same day that I gave up, because they seem so opposite of each other. That was what was the difference! All those years, I had tried to stay in control of my food, body, stress and eating, to no avail. Sure I would ask Christ to help me stop eating so much, but that was the problem. I was trying to be in control and have God wait in the wings, in case I couldn't do it on my own. 

 Over the years, Christ has shown me what works for my body and what doesn't. I can't eat more than 3 breads a day or else I start gaining weight, if I eat a fourth portion very often.  In that I mean: 1 slice of bread, rice, baked potato, pasta, slice of pizza, breading on fried chicken, etc. Well, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's difficult to get light bread. I've used that for years, because instead of having half of a sandwich for lunch, I can have a whole sandwich, because each piece of light bread has half the calories of regular bread. It's difficult to get light bread, because of the food shortages, so I've been making whole sandwiches. I love eating a whole sandwich of regular bread, but that is the problem. When things or particular foods become too important to me, they become false gods in my life. Christ showed me that all those years of being so overweight, I was turning to food for comfort in time of stress, etc. rather than turning to Him. I need to make sure that regular bread doesn't become too important to me, that I don't enjoy it so much that I start gaining the weight back. More important than that, I don't want it becoming a false god in my life, something I need to turn over to Christ's very capable hands, because He can free me from this, like He's done so many times over the years. The thing is, He can do it for you too, if you turn your food, body, stress and eating over to Him to be in control instead of you. Giving up control wasn't easy, but was one of the best decisions I ever made, because I lost weight, but of more importance, I gained an even closer relationship with Christ, my Savior.

 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

The Pants Fit, but I was Hoping for More

It amazes me about how quickly I get into the mode of ingratitude. I don't like it when others do it, but it's different when I do it, right??? Of course, it isn't!

 Since the COVID-19 pandemic and Social Distancing Christ has given me a very strong sense of calm and He continues to remind me that I need to turn to Him in times of stress and not food. That's been wonderful and He's even allowed me to lose some of the extra pounds that I have been lugging around for about 20 years. These are some of the pounds that I gained back after Jesus allowed me an 80+ pound weight loss and His allowing it to stay off for over 30 years.

 I didn't stress much over the 20 extra pounds I had gained back, mainly because I had rationalized it. I felt it just had to do with maturing and the extra pounds that go with it. Anyway, I went from feeling O.K. with my body, bulges and all and now that I've lost 10-12 pounds, all of a sudden I'm looking to see if there is a physical difference in my body and I was disappointed that although my pants fit, they didn't fit as loosely as I had hoped for. I need to turn this all over into Christ's very capable hands, because I don't want to fall back into old human 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

Enjoying Our Walks

When we were first faced with being home bound while they were trying to reduce the cases of COVID-19, I was prayerful about how to get the exercise we needed. The idea was to use the garage sale treadmill purchased several years ago. That has worked out well.

 I think with being home bound for so long, it's easy to want some type of change, so that we don't feel so constrained. We recently started walking around our neighborhood. We've seen others doing it for the last couple of months, but stuck with only using the treadmill.

 We have been enjoying our daily walks. I realize that we may not be able to go on the walks during rainy or overly hot weather, but it's just nice to get outside and have some fresh air when we can. We can always go back to the treadmill when it's either too hot or too rainy to go for a walk.

 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

Some of the Benefits for Us

I told you in a prior post about how I stressed when reports of sheltering in place would cross the News screen some months ago. I was prayerful about what we would eat if we couldn't go to the store very often. The idea I was given is to have a crock pot of beans which lasts us two nights and a pot of soup later in the week, which lasts us two nights, as well. That only leaves us three other nights where we have regular foods

 Since we started implementing this plan, not only has my stress gone down, but that my husband and I have both been losing weight. I wasn't particularly wasn't trying to lose weight, although I was about 20 pounds over my ideal weight. 

 Years ago, Christ showed me that eating food and planning about food had become a false god to me. I was turning to food to comfort me when I was stressed and not turning to Christ to comfort me. When He drew this to my attention and I turned my eating and my stress over to His capable hands, He allowed me to lose 80+ pounds and to keep the vast majority of it off for over 30 years. Part of this blessing was becoming comfortable with my body, however it is and not obsessing about food. I was surprised to find that the eating plan during COVID-19 that I had prayed about, has helped us get down to a healthier weight without really trying.  

 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

The Treadmill Keeps Us Moving

Prior to COVID-19 and Social Distancing, my husband and I used to go to an exercise class two times a week where we got to see our friends. We also would walk a mile most days around the inside walls of local grocery stores. It was ideal, because it doesn't get too hot or too cold inside a grocery story. Besides, you can always pick up anything you needed at home on the last lap around.

 Then, things changed, as you already know! We didn't know what we would do for exercise or socializing with others. I prayed about this, because the side effects of having no social interactions can also be harmful. Well, the idea that I was given was to dust off the used treadmill that we had bought at a garage sale about two or three years ago. 

 This has worked out very well for us. Fortunately, my step-son and son-in-law fixed the wall TV that we had in the room where the treadmill is. This keeps us moving, but doesn't take care of socialization. A younger family member had the insight to leave an older iPad of theirs over here, in case we had to be housebound for any length of time, as per what was suggested as there were outbreaks across our country. This has worked out really well. We are really blessed and feel very thankful that we are able to stay in contact by way of iPad, phone, texts, and emails. 

 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

Soup and Beans

When COVID-19 came to the states, I started being prayerful about what we should do in case we ever were quarantined to our house like the people in China were. After much prayerful contemplation, the idea that came to me was that we could have rice and beans.

 We decided that my husband would make a batch of his yummy beans in the large crock pot each week, which usually lasts for two dinners. If I make a batch of cornbread, it makes it a complete protein. I usually make a batch big enough that I can freeze the rest to use for the next couple of weeks bean meals.

 Also, I would make a batch soup during the week, which also lasts us for two dinners. Of course, sometimes we have some left over that we use for lunches. I fill in with regular types of food the remaining three days of the week. Jesus gave us an idea that has worked out really well for us and it's taken a lot of stress away. Fortunately, the beans are easy to store. I currently have the dry beans in a large casserole pot that I was given as a gift, so it really doesn't take up any extra shelf space. I feel so grateful for this wonderful plan I was given, because it works really well for us.

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

Responding to a Snarky Comment

2 Timothy 2:23: But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

I was recently by someone who made a snarky remark saying something about me being piggy, because I was getting some food. I had recently lost around 10 or so pounds, but it wasn't from me, it was from Christ who has given me a sense of peace during COVID-19. Normally, I would have eaten the door knobs off during such a stressful time, but Christ has given me a sense of peace and I've turned to Him instead of to food.

 This person had previously said some other things, but not as snide as this. I didn't say it in anger, but tried to help that person know that it's important that they "don't mess with my food." Although, I was frustrated, I tried to calmly explain that Christ has taken care of any urge to overeat during this time and had allowed me to lose 10 pounds.  I debated whether or not to say something to the person. I remembered that I responded in negative ways when people messed with my food may years ago. I remembered someone who would offer snacks to other people and skip me, saying it was because I'm dieting. I remember eating many of the snacks out of spite, like I was saying, "Don't you tell me what I can eat and what I can't!" 

Although I wasn't quite as calm during this point, I told the person that I need them "not to mess with my food!" I further explained that Christ is doing a great job of helping me have balance during this time of COVID-19 and He helps me know when I need to eat and when I don't.  The person tried to justify their comment. Christ gave me the grace not to argue with them. Fortunately so, because things calmed down in short order and probably wouldn't have if I had argued with the person.

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

Explaining to the Doctor

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

 I had to go for a physical today. The doctor mentioned that my weight had gone down. He asked me if something had happened to cause the weight loss or if I had been trying to lose the weight. It didn't seem right to just skirt around the whole topic.

I tried to tell him that normally with all the stress with COVID-19, I would have turned to eating, but that's not what happened. Christ had calmed me down and instead of eating over the stress, I have a sense of peace that He's given me. 

 He listened, to what I said, but continued to try to make sure that no negative health issue had caused me to lose the ten or so pounds. I realize that's part of his job, but I don't think he understood what I was saying or he was minimizing it. Either way, it's not my place to prove it to him. I just needed to share the truth with him and what he does with it, is up to him.

 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 Had to Let the Bulges Go!!!!

Philippians 4: 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 I wrote in the previous post about how I started becoming obsessed with whether the bulges on my arms were returning or not. Christ had allowed me to lose a some of the extra weight I had gained back over the years. I'm not complaining. He has allowed the vast majority of the 80+ pounds that He allowed me to lose to stay off for over 30 years!

Anyway, I was paying far too much attention to whether I was gaining the weight back and the bulges were returning. It had almost become an obsession to look in the mirror to see if they had come back. Once I realized that I was now turning the bulges into a false god, because they had become too important to me, I realized I had to put this all in Christ's very capable hands.

I prayed and asked Christ for Him to take care of my food, body, eating and stress over the potential of the bulges returning. Additionally, I had the feeling that I should weigh (something I rarely do, because it's easy to let the scale to have too much power over you, telling you whether you're good or bad, depending on your weight.) I found I had lost two more pounds, so the bulge I was seeing, either is my being too focused on it or it's result of being so heavy all those years, before I turned my food, body, eating and stress over to Christ's very capable hands, which made all the difference in my focus on food. If He could do this for me, He can do it for you, provided you ask Him and are willing to let Him be in 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

Focused on the Bulge

Mark 9: 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

I recently shared how I have been so blessed during COVID 19, Christ calms me when I get concerned about all the press releases, news, etc. First of all, He helped me know that I need to not watch these all day long. A small dose of it to get a little update is enough for me, so I don't have sleepless nights.

I know this calmness comes from Christ, because I haven't had the urge to overeat. I know that doesn't come from me, because usually when there is a stressful situation, I've turned to food, in the past, for comfort or to ignore the situation, but Christ has freed me from this. He showed me that food had become a false god in my life, because I was turning to food for comfort instead of turning to Him.

Well, I explained in a recent post how Christ had allowed me to lose some weight, something I wouldn't have expected to happen. I was especially pleased when I saw that the bulges on my arms disappear. Then, I thought I started seeing the bulges start to form again. Every day, I would find myself focused on the bulge, was it starting or was I imagining it? I was making the bulge a false god, not that I was turning to it for comfort like I did with food, but I was making it too important. Once Christ had this on my heart, it seemed to loose it's importance. I had to turn that obsession 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

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