Encouragement (Page 16)

No matter what happens to me, I can lean on God’s marvelous, wonderful love. When negatives outweigh positives, I get dragged down. Negative thinking traps me into believing the world is out to get me, I have no friends, and I deserve bad things to happen.  But God’s love tells me different. Psalm 42:8 is, “But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to the God who gives me life.” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, 2004, 2007).  God’s love will never fail me.  No matter what I face, I can lean onRead More →

Negative thoughts grow to create more gloom.  The old saying, “Don’t make mountains out of molehills” is true.  I focus on a problem so much that I turn a minor headache into a huge ordeal.  I must deal with both my original problem and my reactions to it. Psalm 119:143 is “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands”  (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, 2004, 2007).  I find joy by following God when stress surrounds me. He shows me when I am making a mountains out of molehills.  God calms me so I can find a logical solution.  He also givesRead More →

My past failures brought me shame and guilt. Times I spoke unkind words or carelessly retold a story haunt me.  I ate to soothe away self-disgust.  More shame flowed throughout my brain since I couldn’t stop stuffing food down my mouth.  Additional guilt over lack of self-control made me miserable. God is the only one able to lift me out of my pit.  Psalm 34:5 is, “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, 2004, 2007)  God takes my shame away when I seek Him.  He gives meRead More →

I am not expected to enjoy non-stop happiness just because I am a Christian.  I battle through one trial only to face greater distress on the other side.  Before I followed God, I remember wondering, “Why me?”, every time something did not go my way.  I felt mistreated by the universe.  I blamed others and never accepted responsibility for actions that created my circumstances. 1 Peter 5:9 is, “Stand firm against him (the devil), and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”  (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996,Read More →

God has freed me from overeating and this unhealthy obsession with food.  Before, I was “free” to eat how much I wanted.  There were side effects from eating too much:  stomach issues, weight gain, bloat, and feeling tired all the time.  I carried constant guilt from continuing to fall. True freedom comes from submitting to God.  Galatians 5:13 is, For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.  But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.  Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, 2004, 2007).  I am free to enjoy all foods, in moderation.  NoRead More →

Every time I overeat, I feel guilt. Shame that I have failed again rushes over me. The fact I resolved to do better beats me up.  This guilt tells me I am doomed to stay fat forever.  Overcome by negativity, I am tempted to give up and eat everything in sight.  This self-disgust is not from God.  Instead, He gently nudges me when I fall short and motivates me to get back on track. 2 Corinthians 7:10 is, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011).  There is a hugeRead More →

I get tired and frustrated sometimes.  In those moments, my discouraged heart tells me to quit.  This temptation encourages me to eat whatever I desire and fibs that I will never lose these last few pounds.  This urge to give up also spills over to my spiritual side, so I skimp on my time with God. 2 Corinthians 4:16 is, “That is why we never give up.  Through our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.”  (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, 2004, 2007).  God strengthens me so I have the courage to press on. When I am weak, I must remember to reachRead More →

Usually once I start seeing progress, I celebrate by eating more food than my body needs.  Since no foods are ever off limits for me, I don’t have a “cheat meal”.  Instead, I stuff more food in my body.  Sometimes I “think” I am hungry so I can eat more food.   Or I decide to continue eating after I am full.  This self sabotage keeps me on my weight on a “yo-yo” cycle. I self destruct because I have taken my eyes off of God.  Psalm 63:5 is, “I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”Read More →

Jesus had to endure a brutal death to pay the price for all sin.  He bore the punishment for all of my wrongs, including gluttony, and love of food.  Because He rose up from the grave, I am free to live.  Psalm 51:1-2 is, “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.  Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.  Wash me clean from my guilt.  Purify me from my sin.  (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, 2004, 2007).  On this Easter, I am grateful that my sin has been taken away.  I have been washed from my past sins andRead More →