Waiting Until the Food Goes Down to My Toes

 A discerning son, [pays attention to] instruction, but a companion of gluttons, disgraces his father. Proverbs 28:7 NIV Bible

Well, this isn't about my friends being gluttons, it was -Me, who was being the glutton. I knew in advance that I have a weakness with buffets. But did that stop me? No, although I thought I was eating a somewhat small heap of food at the buffet than I usually do. Regardless, whether it was as much, or it wasn't, I still ate far more than my stomach could handle.

I remember being torn when I found several pieces of chicken on my plate when I knew I was already full. Did that stop me? Unfortunately, it didn't as I told myself that I shouldn't waste food. I ate as much of it as I could, but I absolutely couldn't eat another bite of it, and finally stopped eating with a uneaten piece of chicken on my plate. 

When I went shopping with a friend afterwards, I was almost nauseous, and I was uncomfortable and mentioned it to my friend. I told her that I need to walk around until the food went down to my toes, and then I'd feel better. The thing is, that I knew better than to do that again, but I still did it! Fortunately, the Lord God has forgiving arms and embraces me, although I make the same mistakes again and again over the years. He refocuses me on turning my food, eating, and food compulsions over to His very capable hands!

Leaning on My Own Understanding

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and [don't] lean on your own understanding, submit to Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Bible

I get caught up in figuring out in my own mind how I should do things. How I can remedy this issue or that. I develop elaborate plans in my mind, rehearsing them over and over again, so that I don't leave any glitches in my plan.

Whether it's fixing something that's broken, health issues, or mending relationships, I find myself contemplating what to do. Do I turn to the Lord first with these issues? If I'm being totally honest with you, I'd have to admit, I usually try to figure out these plans first, which usually aren't very productive in dealing with these issues.

It's only when I get near my wit's end, and ask the Lord God what to do about whatever issues is currently plaguing my brain, when He has everything fall into place. I always end up wondering why I didn't turn to the Lord first, before gallivanting around in my brain trying to find the right solution. Fortunately, the Lord God is patient with me, and shows me what I need to do, which sometimes is just to do nothing, and just wait it out. Which happens to be what the Lord often shows me is best when dealing with relationships.  

I Get Stuck!

But the ship got stuck [on] a sandbar. The bow stuck fast, and wouldn't move. And the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. Acts 24:41 NIV Bible

Although this blog post has nothing to do with ships, it sure illustrates how I sometimes deal with things. Today, I was trying to rearrange some photo albums on a wooden shelf. Unfortunately, the bottom photo album was stuck tight just like the ship's bow and wouldn't move. 

Well, aside from the photo album, I get stuck with my thoughts! I will remember something I did or said to someone years ago, that was problematic. Not that I would deliberately do or say something to someone, to cause them anguish. But I have inadvertently done it, and it hurt them just the same! The thing is, I go back to these issues periodically, that used to cause me to overeat, to calm my aching heart. I so wanted to rectify things, explain them away, but that wasn't always possible! 

The thing is, the Lord God doesn't want us stuck in the past, rehashing things with the Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda's. Fortunately, the Lord lets me know that if He forgives me over any shortcomings I have had, then I need to learn to let go of my super-glue focus stuck in the past, and forgive myself! 

Bad News and Trusting in the Lord

 They will have no fear of bad news, their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 NIV Bible

This is almost a literal meaning of the words in this Bible verse, only applied to current times. I can turn the News on any day of the week, and there are things within the News that could make a person shake in their boots, if they wore boots!

Not only do I not wear boots, but this News has caused my faith to shake at times, as well. I worry, What if this happens? What if that happens? What will I do? The thing is, when I get through worrying myself to death over the things that I hear or see on the News, and I nearly eat myself to death in a worried frenzy, then, I finally realize, I'm not trusting in the Lord.

Every time, I worry, it's like I'm telling the Lord God, "I'm not so sure You're going to take care of me in this situation or that situation, so I'm going to worry about it." Because if I truly trust in the Lord God, I know He will be with me through whatever does or doesn't happen, and there's no need to worry. I know this is easier said, than done. I'm very aware of this, because I seem to turn to worry or turn to food first, before I finally turn to the Lord God, to comfort my fears, which He always does. I really should start by turning to the Lord God first!