I’ve had a burden for a long time to help women make wise choices with their health.  I see so clearly how we, as women, are attacked viciously by the Father of Lies.  He uses the world to teach us that we are only valuable and worthy if we have the perfect body and the perfect face.  We fall into common traps of comparison and striving.  We beat up on ourselves with self condemnation and shame.  We give up and buy into the lie that food is the only real pleasure we can have in life.  We try to numb the wounds in our hearts from childhood rejection and abuse.  We may over celebrate our achievements with food.  (A real trap for me!)   We try every fashion trick to hide certain parts of our body.  (If we are hiding then we are feeling shame. )  We sacrifice our well being for momentary highs that sugar can bring and taste buds can grasp. But I know that I know that I know…..that we don’t have to!  Especially as daughters of the King of Kings, we can have victory. 

I’ve noticed the times that I begin trying to make wise choices for myself and help other’s make wise choices that I begin to struggle more than ever.  Coincidence?  I DON’T THINK SO!  I remember, years ago, after taking a client through the Steps to Freedom (From the book “Bondage Breaker”) and watching God move mightily in her life; I celebrated with food.  I heard a voice in my heart that I believe was God.  It said, “This is how the enemy is going to try to destroy you.”  Call me naïve but I believe with all of my heart that we have an enemy and that he hates us!  He will do all he can to keep us in bondage , defeated and miserable. 

It’s really crazy how weight slips on you.  It’s like you wake up months down the road and say, “How did this happen?”  It’s time we take charge of our lives!  Pray for God to help you find the right approach that will help you take back your life.  As a GRACE person, I know (for me), diets don’t really work. (long term)   I believe what the bible says about law.  Why?  Because I experience the consequences of putting myself under the law in powerful ways!   The law produces “death.”  The law produces “rebellion.” The law produces “anger”.   (II Cor. 3)  As believers, we have died to the law and now live by grace. (Romans 6, 7 & 8)  Grace says, “I want to” not “I have to.”   One thing I love about God is that He does not want cookie cutter Christians.  Some of his daughters will choose a diet and do well.  Other’s will eat less and exercise more and do well.  Other’s may be led to do some type of program.  So pray!  Your Heavenly Father knows exactly what will work for you.  Ask HIM to change your relationship with food.

As a mother of adult children, I had to learn that our relationships changed as they grew.  It is no longer a child to adult relationship.  It is an adult to adult relationship.  As I’m aging I am learning that my relationship with food has also changed.  I can no longer eat the way I ate when I was in my early 20’s.  I have to learn how to have a different relationship with food.  And by the way, food has changed in enormous ways since the 60’s and 70’s.  It is FULL of preservatives and chemicals that our bodies cannot handle.  I know God is leading me toward clean eating as much as possible.  If the food can go bad in a few days, that is what I want to eat.  (Before it goes bad.)  LOL

Galatians 5 –
                   It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
                   For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

I refuse to be a slave to my taste buds.  I refuse to give in to defeat.  I refuse to believe the lie that it doesn’t really matter because I’m getting older.  Romans 6:6 tells us that since we died with Christ on the cross that we are no longer a slave to sin.  Do you believe it?  Did Jesus REALLY break the chains to sin?  Let’s live in our freedom and serve one another with love AND SERVE OURSELVES WITH LOVE.  It’s not wrong to put yourself first and to take care of yourself.  A person can only help other’s when she has taken care of herself first. How can you make better choices that will enrich your life?  Could you be too busy to take care of yourself?  Pruning my activities and schedule was very helpful for me.  Remember  Satan is a counterfeiter!  Don’t fall for his deception and lies.

Freedom means I’m free to have a piece of cake every now and then.  I’m also free to say no to certain food choices if I’ve already had a piece of cake.  Moderation is the key.  It feels so good, try it!  Will I do it perfectly?  NO!  It may be two steps forward and one step back but I’m still moving in the right direction.  Will you join me?