Weight Released!

This past Monday, I was making breakfast and this quick thought came to me about weighing myself. I hadn't weighed myself for weeks. It's not something I do very often because I know what it can do to my mind. I told myself, "No, you shouldn't do that. It may discourage you and it may make you want to eat more." And then the Lord told me it was ok, so I did. I got out the scale, stepped on it and couldn't believe my eyes! I released 5 pounds!! Praise God! I was super excited. I haven't seen my weight that low in a long, long time!

All the glory goes to the Lord!! He did it! And this was with NOT exercising, NOT eating "healthy" food, and NOT being consumed with food. Praise the Lord!! This was done with spending time with Him, allowing Him to reach into those places of my heart, eating mindfully without distractions, and eating when I was hungry and stopping when I was full. God's way is the best way!!

Oh, and I wanted to mention too that I've been noticing the flavor of food. I think it's because I'm actually slowing down to eat and wow, the textures and tastes amazing!

Temptation

Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death. Do not be misled, my beloved brethren. (James 1:12-16)

With the discussions that have been taking place on the Yahoo forum I have learned that gluttony is sin...and so I'm also safe to say that overeating is sin. At first this truth made me want to run because I didn't want to believe it. But the Lord continues to drive the point home that it indeed is sin. Food has been something I have lusted over in the last few years, without even realizing it. I'm thankful that the Lord has shown me so I can move toward that victory in Jesus.

There are so many addictions out there. Today I was talking with someone about the addiction of pornography and I was thinking, "Why can't these people just stop?!" And then the Holy Spirit reminded me of how food has been like an addiction to me and reminded me of how difficult it has been to walk away from it, or as some say, "Quit cold turkey." It's hard with food because you need food to survive. It's a basic necessity.

A lust is anything we allow our flesh to be consumed with. I was consumed with food. I remember I would spend each night writing down the food I would eat the next day and making sure I didn't eat more calories than I needed. This was a daily ritual and I think there was only one day of the many months that I did this that I actually stuck with my plan. I was consumed with thoughts of food. And it drove me to want to eat more and more. It became a god to me. And then after calorie-counting it was Weight Watchers points, and then it was worrying about eating healthy. I was in a lot of bondage over it. But praise God, He has set me free! I am no longer dealing with those condemning thoughts that I *have* to eat a certain way in order to have this or that happen. (I talk more about this in an earlier post)

But praise the Lord, He provides a way out of EVERY temptation!! "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Cor. 10:13). I can choose NOT to make the choice to be consumed with food. I was really doing well with following my hunger signals and eating only when I was hungry. It was great! I was spending some awesome time with the Lord and so focused on Him that I really didn't even care about food. All praise and glory to Him! But the last few days have been a struggle mostly because of some emotional things I was dealing with. I looked to food for comfort just like I have done a lot in the last year. Today there have been so many times I have wanted to eat. I really wanted to eat...but I wasn't hungry and I told myself no. And I prayed and asked the Lord for help. And He did! Thank you, Lord!!

I am learning to take my eyes off of me and what my flesh wants, and instead looking to the Lord and desiring to do what honors Him. It's all about Him. For so long I have tried to do all of this myself. Even with Thin Within I found myself depending upon myself and thinking that *I* could do it all, but I always failed. But we will never fail with the Lord! When we are weak, He is strong!! Praise the Lord!

Tears

It's been awhile since I have posted anything here. I would like to do it more regularily, especially since I feel like I have more of an understanding about some things. The Lord has done some amazing things. I realize that Thin Within hasn't "worked" for me in the past because I wasn't really including the Lord. I wasn't doing it for Him, I was doing it for me. In the past few days I have been sitting at the diningroom table (instead of in front of the tv, computer, or having anything distract me) praying over my food and asking Him to join me during my meal and to help me to know when I am satisfied. I know that might sound elementary, but it's better than diving in and thinking, "It's all about me!"

Did you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own. You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I really like that scripture and this time when I read it "within" really stood out to me. Thin Within. The Holy Spirit is within us, wanting to make us whole again in Him. He wants to tear down any stronghold that is holding us back from getting closer to Him. He wants to shred and destroy every lie the enemy has told us. He wants to set us free!

I started again on Thin Within's Workbook #1. I'm on week 4, but it should be more like week 30-something. Ha!

Many tears have been cried today. Last night too. Last night I wanted to comfort myself with a bowl of cereal. I knew I didn't need to and just needed to curl up in the loving lap of my Father, but I ate the bowl of cereal anyway. I have repented and will continue on in His grace. There's a lot of emotions flaring up today, but no desire to eat my emotions away. Only God can take care of those.

I just need His Word today, especially today. It's a good day to cuddle up with the Lord and to read about His blessings and promises.