Monday, November 14, 2016

{ Motivated Monday }

Image result for For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
I love Food.
I enjoy the taste and the texture.
I can practically taste the food just looking at a picture.
Yes, I know.....
I have a PROBLEM!

The verse in the funny sign above jumped off the page at me Saturday as I sat writing out scripture at the Ladies Retreat I attended with our daughter this weekend.  "A craving for everything we see".   I can usually pass up the perfect pair of shoes or item of clothing but when it comes to sweet, savory, carb-loaded, calorie-packed FOOD.....
well, very often I have trouble saying, "NO"!

About 2 years ago I started on what I called a journey to healthy and I did well and was able to keep off the weight I lost until the last few months. October found me in a state of depression and when I'm depressed I get tired and when I'm tired......
I eat!

We were given free time at the retreat to go off and be alone with God.  I'm not the best at just sitting unless I have a view which I did part of the weekend, but after I sat and prayed and read my Bible and did some writing, I decided to walk and talk with God.  I had no idea the lay of the land, but I knew all the roads and trails would lead back to the main retreat house so I started out on my journey.  The first part was steep.....then leveled out.....then very much down hill.....but then I embarked upon a hill which in my mind looked more like a mountain.  I had no choice but to climb it or turn back and climb back up the hill I had just descended, which was a much longer climb. "Lord, I can do this with your help."  I made it.....but had to stop take a break in the landing at the top and that's when I realized just how out of breath I was.....
and knew I had a problem.
My weight gain isn't enormous.
But, I know myself and know that if I don't get it under control NOW, it will get out of hand.

Yes, I want to look good in my clothes.
Yes, I want to be able to breathe.
Yes, I want to increase my stamina by getting more exercise.
But, the biggest thing is that I've not been honoring God with how I'm eating.

So, reading that verse of scripture and realizing how I haven't been allowing God to guide me like I did two years ago brought conviction to my heart and I knew I had to make a change.

I keep going back in my mind's eye to Saturday and that awesome place God planted me in to breathe in His grace and breathe out His praise.  If I want everything I do to honor Him in the best way I can (which that in itself has to come with His help).....
well, my health and how I eat and take care of this "temple" He gave me is part of that, too!

Today, I'm sharing how I was motivated to begin again with y'all and asking for your encouragement and to ask how I can pray for you in this area of your own life.  We're in this walk of life together and there's nothing wrong with being transparent about our struggles.  Depression and overeating are two of mine and they affect all areas of my health......
physical, emotional, spiritual.

HOPE this has opened your heart to share what your struggles are, too.

10 comments:

  1. I am coming over to your blog to knuff you (is a BIG HUG). I will pray for you. I think I'll send a private email with a prayer point for me :-)

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  2. Deb, I am the same way about food. It doesn't matter if I'm hungry, I eat because I enjoy food. I have had the same feelings about it...that's not what God wants us to do...we are nourish our bodies, He does not want us to be a glutton about it!! Thanks for your message today. I'm thinking I'll print it and keep it on the fridge for a while, as I try to change my eating habits. btw, my Daddy loved a good meal. He would eat his meal nice and slow, then kind of push away from the table just a little, and enjoy his iced tea. He didn't drink with his meal, he waited until he was done, I find myself doing the same thing!

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  3. My struggles are not un-similar to yours :)
    I have returned to the Fast-5 way of eating (helpful to me a few years ago, and again no).
    So thankful for this tool that "fits" me and my circumstances.
    Find in Him your all-in-all. You "heard" Him; now honor His Lordship & receive His grace.

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  4. I enjoy food, too. I sympathize with you, but glad you have been convicted and pray you can meet whatever goals you set.

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  5. Appreciate your honesty and openness so much Deb. When I am stressed I eat more, or the wrong foods. I need to lose weight for my health too. Blessings friend as you walk forward in your weight loss journey. Hugs

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  6. Wow, praying for you as you embark again on this journey. God will help you as you keep your eyes focused on Him and the goals you believe He wants you to achieve. He will give you the strength you need each day...and we will pray! I hope you took some pictures on your retreat...we'll look forward to seeing and hearing more about that.

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  7. I always struggle with my weight. I believe you really do have to just get it right in your mind that you will do it, and asking God to help is sure a great way to get started again. I will certainly pray for you!!

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  8. Bless you for being so honest and sharing from your heart! Enjoying good food is so hard to resist, especially in this country where we are blessed with such an abundance of good things! I believe that we can pray about such things as our weight and appetite, and that the Lord is our great helper. Will definitely be praying and encouraging you on your journey to better health! Hugs to you today :)

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  9. You are spot on here Debbie. So many people eat like they are going to run out of food. You see, hubby and I went through what you are going through now. We loved food and we ate way too much of it. He packed on a good 60 pounds and I another 20 (I'm short and can't do that). About a year ago we started eating better, exercising... We lost that weight and we feel like warriors for God again! It's amazing! I will keep you in my prayers!! :) Hope you have a blessed week!

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  10. A great motivational write up! Looking up to God and having staunch faith in Him do turn things for the better. But you need to consciously remind yourself what your goals are. Well determination is the key to change a habit. As they say you only require 21 days to form a new habit!

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Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24