Wandering Around for Food

 Job 15:23 He wanders about for food like a vulture; he knows the day of darkness is at hand. NIV Bible

I used to wander around looking for food like a vulture. I can't say that I don't still do it on occasion, but nothing like it used to be. I would have that "eat the door knobs off" hunger, that would come upon me. I'd find myself going through the refrigerator, through the freezer, the cupboards and back to the refrigerator again, looking for something to eat. Mostly, it didn't really matter what it was, I just wanted something to eat.

Was that "eat the door knobs off" hunger, really hunger? It took me years to hear the message the Lord had on my heart. It turned out that feeling was more an emptiness inside that I was trying to fill with food. The thing is, no food, and no amount of food can heal that emptiness that we feel inside, only Jesus can!

After stubbornly ignoring the lessons He had for me for years, when I started putting my food, body, and all my worries in the Lord God's very capable hands, I stopped having the need to "eat the door knobs off". My life was much calmer, which doesn't mean that I never have things that stress me. It means that instead of turning to food to comfort that empty feeling inside during those times, whenever I turn them over to Jesus, those gnawing feelings in the pit of my stomach go away! The thing is, He can do the same for you. It's not that I'm somebody special, we are all special to the Lord!

Total Control

  Psalm 142:3 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You [Lord] who watch over my way. In the path where I walk, people have hidden a snare for me. NIV Bible

I realize that this passage is talking about people setting traps to catch people, but when I just read it, I related to it on a more personal level. Actually, that's one of my favorite reasons I love reading the Bible so much! It's like Jesus is talking to me personally, when He shows me ways that reading particular passages can apply or be adapted to be relevant in my own life.

Anyway, to me, the snares were foods that tempt me. There are hidden snares everywhere! When I watch T.V. with all the food commercials, all the food ads in magazines, and the foods sitting on my shelves are there, tempting me like snares. All I have to do is fall back into old, counterproductive patterns. I could easily get sucked in again to turning to food for comfort, instead of turning all my stress, eating, and food over into the Lord's very capable hands.

Fortunately for me, He doesn't give up on my easily. And even when I start to eat things that might trip me up and lead me to slip-sliding back into compulsive overeating, the Lord will have it on my heart to stop, and pay attention to what I'm doing. Every time I've listened to these instincts He has on my heart, He's made it possible to withdraw from eating whatever it was that was tempting me like a snare, that could trap me. I no longer want food to have control over my life, my body, and how I feel about myself, but I want the Lord God to be in total control, and not food!

I Should Have Been Watching Where I Go

 Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to Your word. Let no sin rule over me. NIV Bible

When I went to elementary school, I was walking with a friend down a dirt road that was next to the school. All of a sudden my friend exclaimed in delight! I immediately turned around to see what she was so excited about. She had been following behind me, stepping in my footsteps and she found a silver dollar. She was so happy, and I wasn't so happy about her finding this hidden treasure. In fact, I felt like I was being deprived, but was I?

That same dollar was in the sand in front of me, and if I had been watching where I was going, I would have found it first. Unfortunately, I was too full of myself and whatever I was talking about to her, to pay attention to the hidden treasure right in front of me. 

It seems like a life lesson! Jesus, our Lord and Savior and all He has to offer me, lies right in front of me. Not just in the weight loss He's allowed me, but the inner peace He gives me, not to mention the opportunity to spend eternity with Him someday, are all potential rewards I can receive, if I wouldn't be so full of myself and pay attention to where I'm going. The thing is, with this special treasure, it's not just the first person who finds it is the only one to get it. Fortunately, all who love the Lord, Jesus Christ as their Savior, can someday join Him in heaven, if they'd pay attention to the hidden treasure waiting for them.

Not Growing Weary

 Revelation 2:3 You have perservered and have endured hardships for My name, and have not grown weary. NIV Bible

When it talks about persevering and enduring hardships, I am reminded about all Jesus Christ went through on my behalf, as well as yours, and everyone onw else's. Being heavy growing up, I would be so crushed when friends would talk behind my back, but Jesus' friend betrayed Him, and another denied knowing Him. And I thought I had it bad!

There were times in my life, I felt disappointed I didn't have as nice a house as others. But, the Lord told someone who wanted to follow Him, that He didn't even have a [consistent] place to lay His head. I felt discriminated against, because I was heavy. People didn't include me in sports and other activities, and didn't even listen to my ideas when within a group, but paid attention to the ideas of others.

When I read how Jesus, our Lord, was ridiculed, spit upon, beat and killed, I am very humbled to I think of how I complained all those years. Jesus had done nothing to deserve this, other than to show kindness to the poor and marginalized of society, healing those who were sick, while healing the hearts of those who didn't know the love He came to share with them. Fortunately for me, He arose the third day after His death, so that I could, and everyone else who loves Him as their Savior, can someday join Him in heaven, where there will be no more tears.