Forbes magazine recently reported that in 2008 Americans spent 48 billion dollars on diet products and self-help books. In a culture addicted to dieting and saturated in marketing, many dieting companies have developed mottos to motivate consumers.
- “Stop dieting, start living.” Weight Watchers
- “We change lives.” Jenny Craig
- “We’ve helped millions of people lose weight. Now it’s your turn.” NutriSystem
- “Power up. Slim down.” Slim-Fast
- “Eat More. Weigh Less.” Ornish Diet
- “Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.” Proverbs 23:2
Proverbs 23:2 is a diet trend that I don’t think will catch on quickly. I will say, however, that Solomon obviously knew the serious problems that would arise if one loses their ability to deny their flesh it’s desires. Physical appetites are an analogy of our ability to control ourselves. If we are unable to control our eating habits, we are probably also unable to control other habits.
Eating was [and sometimes still is] my Achilles heel.
As a child, I ate when I was happy and I ate when I was sad. I ate when I was nervous and I ate when I was bored. The addiction was invisible to most people because I hid my habit like an ashamed alcoholic. I would stick a cooking spoon into a container of peanut butter and lick away my shame while hiding in the pantry. I would cut a block of cheese from the plastic package, melt it into a fondue in the microwave, and run into the backyard to enjoy my spoils. I would eat my pasta as if the very meaning of life was hidden underneath my spaghetti.
If anyone has suffered from addiction, you know the pain in which I am speaking about. But here’s the good news [said like a Baptist preacher in a hot, Southern church]: Jesus paid it all! No really, all of our issues, our shame, and our embarrassing secrets we want to hide are depowered, deveined, and destroyed at the cross.
Last night Tim Timmons led us into a time of worship and surrender. He asked us to extend our hands and surrender our control and whatever else we were holding onto. So friends, I’m letting go. Again. I’ve been here before and I’m here again, but this time I’m believing not in the removal of addiction, but a managing of this issue.
I share this only as a way to document my journey. It’s now in the annals of the world wide web. In perpetuity. Awesome! Awesome? Awesome… kinda. When I confess my sins, they no longer have control over me. So I’m surrendering to God and saying, Jesus paid it all!
Hi Bianca,
Great post on an issue that strikes home in the hearts of women!
I can relate. I bought Lysa TeKeurst's book "Made to Crave" and loved reading it but I'm having trouble applying it.
I know that God can satisfy deep soul-hunger but when I'm stressed and my mind believes it hungry it's hard not to give in and reach for a slice of chocolate cake or a cup of Heartbreak Healer (ice cream) by Baskin Robbins (Yes, it really is called heartbreak healer and it works! lol). I've taken comfort in food since I was a teenager. The pattern is obvious…Had a bad day? Nothing fried chicken, mashed potatoes and cornbread can't cure…Upset with a friend? Haave a moment with Dove (chocolate candy)…Feeling blue? Get a grande Tazo passion lemonade from Starbucks to cure you….and the list goes on.
Did you know I never knew gluttony was a sin? Totally missed that Bible verse. Thanks for posting about it.
I guess my question for you is how do you break the cycle of hunger met by food instead of God? Hunger outside of the need for a balanced 3 meals a day that is…
Surrender…because God knows I can't control it, even though I try. It is an interesting point, and another piece of evidence of my lack of trust in God. I surrender; why hold on?
Thank you, Jesus!
Love this and your honest heart! Praying for you girl!
Great post B!
Thanks for sharing! I can’t believer I never read or seen that verse Prov 23:2. It’s highlighted in my Bible now and soon to be posted on my FB page! It’s funny this blog topic jus came up and it’s so the LORD’s confirmation to me. I just came to the realization 2 weeks ago that my ability to control my sweets i.e. Sugars is an addiction and it does reflect lack of self control in other area’s in m walk. I was talking to the Lord on Sunday and in praying He revealed this very thing. So He gave me a plan to try and bring this body under submission and keep my body from ruling over
me! I am on a sugar fast this week for at least a week, possibly more, but then I will go into a meal fast and eventually a 24 hr food fast because I’ve never done a REAL fast before and really denied myself. But the Lord showed me baby steps! I’m praying this will help me bring my body into full submission to the Lord in EVERY area from emotions to anger to food.
Just cause it’s silpme doesn’t mean it’s not super helpful.
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This is a really great post! You're gutsy putting yourself out there like this. Then again, all things that are in darkness will be put into the light anyway, right? Still – you're brave. Back when I held an A+ in an eating disorder, I read Intuitive Eating by Tribole and Resch. It wasn't a magic fix, but it was a good book to read on the path to liberation. I still have the book, if you'd like it.
Our posts today are sort of on the same topic. I'm thankful that I have friends to help keep me accountable. Not knife-to-your-throat friends, but honest friends who love me and who are willing to say the hard things.
Amen! Girl, i know exactly where you are coming from cause I too have struggled with lack of self control in eating and then in other areas. I missed last night's Bible study, but I'm sure it was great!! God bless you!
Tim Timmons was awesome!! What a mentor and friend to have, you are one lucky girl B…I too surrender this to God and ask for strength. I appreciate your honesty and how you KIR! This study has been so much more than I could have prayed for. I have done my homework and watch the study again once it is posted and verify all my notes are in order and precise! I love you…praying that God works in both of our lives and helps us with what we have surrendered to him.
I'm here for you. Now. And always. 🙂
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In pool the issue of control begins with being able to control the destination of the object ball. Once that skill is established the concept of control shifts to one of controlling the cue ball and after that it moves to controlling the table and even the arena itself. The common denominator of all of these is self-control..It is only when you are in full control of yourself that you are able to reach a level of mastery in these other areas.
I'll tell you the truth, of all the days I ever needed a pick-me-up and sign from Jesus that "everything is gonna be OK" and He is truly in control…that day was today. I've always joked that I'm a foodie/fatty/gourmand. And recently I was able by God's grace and nothing short of a miracle gain an appetite for healthy living and an active lifestyle (and shed 45lbs in about 6 months.) But a heap of trials sent me into a tail-spin of stress and the first thing I did? I ran to my "friend" food to console me. 5 days ago I began binge eating again, and shamefully, 7lbs gained later (today) I broke down. I can't do this on my own. I can't keep cracking jokes about my weight and eating habit to hide the pain and embarrassment I feel deep inside. I finally sent my best friend a text confessing that daily battle I face to resist eating until I feel it in my throat at each meal time.
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Bianca,
My hubby and I recently relocated to Louisville, Kentucky from Miami, Florida. Talk about drastic changes, huh? So I've seen how things have been creeping up again (old and bad habits, things I thought I had healed with the Lord) and I just wanted to thank you because I realize I'm not alone. We've all got issues and I thank you for being open about us with one of your struggles. I know it isn't always easy but I think it's worth it to be authentic…God really uses you. Thanks again!
I failed to proofread…that should read: thank you for being open WITH us ABOUT one of your struggles.