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My mind can be as scary as a dangerous neighborhood. I know I should trust God instead of worrying. But, my thoughts can shift from calm to full blown anxiety in less than 10 seconds. My imaginary and unrealistic fears keep me awake at night. I get stressed out and forget to seek the Lord to help carry my burden. Psalm 23:4 is, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), 2001 The Lord walks with meRead More →

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The meaning of the Easter message gets deeper for me every year. I realize how much my stubbornness to surrender my food intake has cost. I once felt guilty because I continued to overeat. Instead of repenting, I found excuses. I not only feel bad because I could be smaller, but because I saw my disobedience from eating too much. Romans 5:8 is, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011 Jesus died for all sin, including mine. I used to think my overeating was not that bad,Read More →

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I do my best to love others. I try to encourage those who are down and help when I can. When I am busy or tired, I forgot those “prayer requests” I promised to do. I find it hard to show love to those who are negative, mean, or hard to be around. It is hard to love, or be nice to people that bring me down. Romans 8:38 is, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today, nor our worries about tomorrow – not even theRead More →

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Finding satisfaction in the world is impossible. No matter how much I have, I see something else I think is needed. We are remodeling our house and I see updates we can’t afford to do. I want a few extra days after my spring break is over since the week off was not enough. My soul yearns for something not of this world to fill it. Psalm 63:5 is, “You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 I will never be satisfied with anything the world offers. God is the onlyRead More →

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Last week, the news of an major ice storm brought me into a sea of fear. I prepared best I could, but kept thinking “What if our electricity goes out?” I could not sleep with sounds of winter precipitation banging on my windows. I was certain our lights and heat would go out soon. When morning came and the power was still on, I still worried that it would go out. Instead of relaxing on my snow day, I wasted energy over something I had no control over 1 Peter 5:7 is, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”Read More →

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Every January, I hear the world telling me to have more willpower. I know from experience that my power will never be enough. When I get stressed or have a weak moment, I sometimes slip into excess food. Trying harder does not stop me. I need more strength than I have. Philippians 4:13 is, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 With Christ, I no longer do it alone. I tap into His unlimited strength instead using my futile willpower. There is no way I can avoid overeating on my own. I can call outRead More →

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Every New Year, I resolve to improve myself. Over the years, I have learned I am not perfect. I will never be kind enough to others and hit 100% on my personal health goals. I can resolve to do better and beat myself up when I fail. Philippians 3:12 is, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 I will never be perfect. Jesus helps me make better choices and fix bad habits. He moldsRead More →

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It is mid December and my Christmas decor is still in boxes. We are remodeling and I waited until our tv wiring was completed. I usually have everything decorated immediately after Thanksgiving and think I am the only one without Christmas festivities up. My perfectionist self is struggling. I love Christmas and have listened to carols since the week after Halloween. All this work of getting my house ready for the season does nothing to prepare my heart to meet Jesus. Luke 10:38-42 tells the story of Jesus’ visit with 2 sisters. Verse 41-42 is, “But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, youRead More →

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This year I did not buy Halloween candy. I no longer care to have sweets around “just in case” I want a treat. A few weeks ago, I bought a small bag of Reese’s Christmas shapes. and slipped into stress eating. Even though I only ate 3, that was more than my body needed. The next morning, my stomach hurt and I realized I had turned to food instead of God. I once ate this same amount without realizing it was slowly poisoning my body. Isaiah 21:4 is, “Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.” Holy Bible, New LivingRead More →

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I have lost weight and my clothes fit better. However, my not-long-enough summer is over and I had to go back to work. Even though I know eating never helps my problems, I overindulged in food. My old triggers of stress and fatigue made it harder to resist these temptations. I no longer enjoy overeating. I would rather seek Jesus instead of food. Psalm 119:147 is, “I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 Days I start with the Lord go smoother than times I wake upRead More →