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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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The Lent season is time for me to grow closer to the Lord. In the past, I would give something as a token sacrifice. I once stopped drinking soda for these 40 days and then indulged after Easter. It was more about avoiding my token than growing closer to the Lord. Since I struggle with temptations of excess food and a distorted body image, I once used Lenten fasting as an opportunity to diet. The weight never left for good and I gained nothing spiritually. Isaiah 58:6 is, “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten theRead 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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On Christmas Eve, I finally had my tree up and all the presents wrapped. Instead of enjoying the moment, I worry about things I still have to do and ways I can make the perfect Christmas. Jesus came to our world humble and far from our social media perfection standards. John 16:33 is, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 Christ came into this world so we can have peace in Him. WhenRead 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 →

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Sitting still and waiting is hard for me. I like to blame my impatience on my ADD. Even though I know God’s power solves any problem. I want to help. I should know from past experiences that putting my hands where they don’t belong causes more problems. Psalm 27:14 is, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2007 God is the one who rescues me when no one else can. I can’t put broken pieces together as well as He does. My weak efforts do more harm than help. Waiting is theRead More →