Lust for Food

It’s hard to admit. I am a glutton.  I have a lust for food.

I abuse food. Not in the traditional, well-known, textbook  kind of ways you may be familiar with.

I do not hate my body or fear gaining weight; anorexia and bulimia are not things I struggle with. I think I love my body too much;  giving in to it’s every craving.

I do not binge and purge. I binge and then feel defeated.

If you are thin, you may look at me and think, “Yes, you are  overweight.”

If you are not, you may look at me and think, “What are you worried about?”

What I’m worried about is my sinful habits. Eating more than I should and creating digestive problems. Eating excess amounts of sugar until I am addicted, thus creating other health issues.  Sugar causes inflammation which leads to a host of illnesses; cancer and diabetes to name a few, not to mention exacerbating osteoarthritis.

Now,  if we are about the same size, you may be thinking “Stop. Don’t say anymore. I don’t want to change, or admit that I may have issues too.”

Believe me, I am not on a crusade to convict anyone else; that’s the last thing I want to convey.  I just know  I have been journaling about food issues for longer than I care to mention and something has got to change.

What I do want, is to know if anyone wants to join me in prayer to overcome food issues?

I’ve created a facebook group for prayer. Feel free to invite anyone you know who is also struggling. I will be posting overcoming scriptures, quotes and prayers. I have no recommendations on diets, exercise plans, nutritional supplements, or healthy habits. If you do, feel free to share them, although I don’t want it to turn into a marketplace of products. I’d like to keep it a place of encouragement and prayer.

Jesus beckons to us when we are weary and burdened.

I am burdened by my sinful habits. I am burdened by the thought of exposing these thoughts to more people than I’m confortable with.

But I also want to break free.

The Bible speaks a lot about freedom.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Gal. 5:1

“If the Son sets you free, you will be

free indeed.” John 8:32

Freedom is a glorious thing. I have experienced it in many areas of my life. God has set me free from depression, anxiety, fear of failure and comparison to others.

When I was a young mom and a new believer,  I struggled to get up in the morning to read the Bible and pray. Nursing a baby through the night  left me feeling sleep deprived. Keeping up with two active older children during the day added to my exhaustion. I thought I’d never be able to rise early and develop a quiet time.

I realized that I wanted, needed and  loved to sleep. I craved it and looked for any opportunity to take a nap during the day.

One day, I began to ask the Lord to help me love him, more than I loved sleep. I asked him to wake me up early so  I could spend some time with him.

Guess what? He was faithful. I have enjoyed a quiet time of Bible reading and prayer ever since. If he was faithful before, he’ll be faithful again.

I need, want, and love to eat.

So I have a new prayer for 2019. “God, help me to love you more than I love the pleasure and comfort of food.”

I know that he is able to do more than I can hope, ask, or imagine. Do you believe it too?

I may or may not go on a diet. I may or may not begin an exercise program. What I will do is seriously pray about  breaking free from the hold gluttony has in my life.

Proverbs 23:2 gives a pretty graphic word picture for consideration:

“Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”

I realize this expression is used metaphorically and I recently read the middle eastern thought behind “put a knife to your throat” can mean “show great restraint”, still it is a bit shocking.

Dr. Hyman, chairman of the Institute for Functional Medicine, as well as founder and director of the Ultra Wellness Center in Massachusetts, asserts that sugar is 8 times more addictive than cocaine; another shocking statement. No wonder I haven’t been able to overcome my addiction, it has a physiological component.

So, are you in? Want to join together in prayer for a healthier lifestyle? Ready to do the hard work to overcome sugar and carbohydrate addictions?  I’m not sure I’m ready either, but I want to be.

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to want the health you desire us to have. Help us to replace empty calories for nutrient rich ones. Help us to love you, more than the pleasures and comforts of food. Thank you that you give us all good things to enjoy. Help us to stop abusing and misusing food and once again enjoy what you provide in a healthy balance. We want your Holy Spirit to empower us to say yes to foods we know creates health and no to foods that wreak havoc in our body. Help us develop self-control and enjoy a sense of your pleasure as we take better care of our bodies; the temple of your Holy Spirit.  Amen

For more prayer and encouragement go to fb to find our group: Gluttons Anonymous

© Cindy Richardson 2019