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I once fasted from just one food item I loved, like candy, for Lent. However, I quickly found something else to eat instead of candy. When I put more effort into my fasting, I noticed weight loss because I ate less. As I matured in faith, I understood that fasting was more than giving something up. True fasting is giving something up to draw closer to God. Last year, I realized my speech was my hurtful to God. I fasted from gossip and saw I needed to use my words to build others up. Eating clean for me is easier when I don’t snack. SoRead More →

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Distractions ruin my good intentions. Last summer, God nudged me to pick up my manuscript and complete it. He was guiding me through the final edit. I got busy during the fall and took a break. It has sat untouched for all these months. Minor illnesses mess up my eating goals. This past week, I was sick and my stomach hurt. When I feel bad, I am tempted to snack all day. When I eat too much, I feel like giving up on my goals. 1 John 4:4 is, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over thoseRead More →

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February 14 is a day set aside to celebrate love. The world has twisted “love” to mean lust. This love comes with conditions that must be kept to keep it going. In the past, I was in love with the chocolate I got for Valentines Day. I searched the world for love. Later, I learned that only God’s love is pure and infinite. 1 John 2:15 is, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015). I have experienced God’sRead More →

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No matter what life throws my way, I can trust in God’s strength to lift me up. My husband lost his job earlier this month. I know God uses these “valleys” to help us depend fully on Him. I also know to fully trust God instead of worrying about the future. It is easier to indulge in worry and food instead of leaning on Him. Exodus 15:2 is, “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise Him – my father’s God, and I will exalt him! (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015).Read More →

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If I think long enough, I can create 100 different reasons to overeat. These “excuses” don’t erase the excess food I stuff down my body. All they do is help me feel better about slipping. I convince myself that eating too much just this once is not wrong. For me, eating too much once makes me do it again. These “excuses” set me up to fail again. 2 Corinthians 4:8 is, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015). Because of God, I have a sourceRead More →

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I try to eat more nutritious foods and less unhealthy treats. Just Trying to eat healthy is not enough to stop me from overeating, Sometimes, I want food to soothe emotional pain. I need more than determination and willpower to stay on track. When I turn to God, He gives me the strength to eat less. Romans 12:1 is, “…give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015). Eating only food myRead More →

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During the first week of January, I noticed my pants fit tighter. I had successfully lived though Thanksgiving and Christmas without indulging. This is progress from past years when I ate my way through the holidays. However, I was tired from the holiday hustle. I took a well deserved rest after Christmas, but neglected my bible reading. Since my eyes slipped from Jesus, I ate more than my body needed. John 15:4 is, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you…”. (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015). When I remain in God, He stays close to me. My days run peacefully when I startRead More →

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After living over 50 years, I finally realize my life will never be trouble-free.  Usually, I have long enough to rest after resolving one issue before running into another problem. Most of my troubles are minor annoyances.  I get overwhelmed when I have to deal with several minor issues at one time.  I get tired of finding time to handle these trials, no matter how big or small.  I want a vacation from stress. Jesus never promised us a trouble-free life. John 16:33 is, “I (Jesus) have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will haveRead More →

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I become my worst enemy when I think negative thoughts. I feel like I will never succeed. I stuff food down to soothe these feelings. Since I overate again, I feel like a failure that does not deserve to lose weight. I see my mistakes, but God sees me walking away from bondage. I need faith that God has delivered me and continues to guide me. Matthew 21:21 is, “Then Jesus told them, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and so much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you beRead More →

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I don’t start each new year with resolutions. Instead, I make goals throughout the year. In 2018, I decided to finish my book. Today, I am almost halfway done with this project. My first thought is, “I have failed.” The truth is I am closer to finishing this book than I was a year ago. Instead of dwelling on where I fall short, God gives me strength to finish any goal He helps me to set. Jeremiah 29:11 is, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘These are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a futureRead More →