Just because every store has been decked out in Christmas since September, I feel I am “late” by just now getting my tree and lights up. I enjoy sitting in my living room surrounded by twinkling lights.  No time to relax when there is so much to do.  Cookies need baking, dips and other party treats must be made.  Perfectly entertaining white elephant gifts take work to find. It is challenging to squeeze in every party and holiday activity I want to do. Isaiah 9:6 is, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, MightyRead More →

I can easily lose 5 to 10 pounds, just enough for me to notice a difference.  Then, I quit losing and start gaining weight back. Deep down, I want to take it easy once my clothes get loose. I gradually start eating larger portions and snacking, even if I am not hungry. Before I know it, I have slipped to the point my eating in no longer in control.  Recently, I have been on a steady path of continuing to eat less.  God is guiding me along this straight path.  He shows me I need to keep focused on Him and not drift away. HebrewsRead More →

Anytime I completely eliminate specific foods like sugar, I count days until I can enjoy it again.  I dream about what I am missing while I substitute something else to quench this craving.  Even though I lose weight, I gain it back quickly once I end my elimination diet.  I realized recently that I am eating too much sugar.  When I eat unhealthy foods like candy and potato chips all day, I feel bad.  I am grateful God reveals things to me that I need to work on. When I first cried out to God for help with my weight, He showed me the answerRead More →

I know that broccoli and kale are both healthy food choices.  Fresh lean meats are “better for you” than fatty and processed protein sources.  Excess sugar and salt are also bad to consume.  I know all of this and have been aware of these diet truths for a long time.  Knowing about these “diet guidelines” has not made me skinny.  Instead, I focused more on what I ate.  I would fret when I picked up pizza because I was too tired to cook.  Other times I felt guilty for eating candy or potato chips.  I resolved to eat better, but deep down wanted to enjoy my favoriteRead More →

Continuing to eat only the food my body needs has been my greatest challenge.  In the past, I found excuses to overeat.  Once I slip, it is easy to keep eating excess food.  I also erroneously think I can start over tomorrow, or even next Monday.  Over time, God has helped me eat less food.  I can tell when I am full and stop eating.  Before, I ate until my stomach was physically bloated, stretching out over my pants. Psalm 119:105 is, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”  (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, 2004, 2007).  God hasRead More →

I don’t want to surrender everything in my life to God.  I need my “me” time to relax and recharge.  It hard for me to join a new bible study or spend more time in God’s word. This has been one busy week where I can think of many other things to do, including rest, instead of writing this post. My stubbornness in surrendering is not limited to time. I also am tempted to hold on to money, possessions, and even my food intake. During Lent, I normally focus on Bible readings about Easter and sacrifice. My current devotions are about surrendering everything to God andRead More →

“Doing the right thing” is a daily challenge for me.  I have to decide if I am going to do what my flesh desires, or be obedient to God.  I make daily decisions like how to behave when I get mad; stay clam and trust God, or react.  Deep down, I know God wants me to eat healthy and not be overweight.  I make choices throughout the day concerning food.  I chose to pass up a snack since I am not hungry.  I eat the vegetables my body is craving instead of junk food.  Without God’s help, I would eat when and what I feel likeRead More →

Weekly meal planning has never worked for me.  Many times my family ends up grabbing fast food on the go, or we eat a fast prep packaged meal.  Meal planning involves thinking about food.  Once I start thinking about food, my mind fixates on how good it will taste. With traditional meal planning, I ended up giving into temptation and overeating. My solution is God guided menu planning.  Proverbs 16:3 is”Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (God’s Word NIV, 2011).  God can plan my family’s meals better than I can.  I no longer worry about overeating when I planRead More →

My body no longer belongs to me to do as I wish.  No more can I stuff down food that looks good or drown my feelings by overeating.  I have surrendered everything to the Lord, including what I eat.  I had to get rid of anything standing in the way of my relationship with God.  Food was once a large barrier keeping me from getting closer to God.  I tried for so many years to eat less, but had no long-term success until I realized my body is a temple, holy and belonging to God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is, “Don’t you realize that your body isRead More →

Without God in my life, I am powerless over food.  I have tried for many years to eat healthy on my own and failed miserably.  Trying to diet and avoid fattening food only made me feel guilty that I could not control my food intake.  Little by little, I have surrendered my food issues over to God.  I took forever to realize I don’t have to do it alone.  I can trust in God, rest in Him, and lean on Him for strength to quit overeating for good. Colossians 2:13 is, “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cutRead More →