I feel like I broke off a huge chunk of a taproot today!
This bondage to food is like a huge tree with very long and thick taproots burrowing deep into the ground. The taproots become larger, longer, and thicker every time we eat when we aren’t hungry. The stronghold (tree and taproots) just get bigger and bigger in our lives.
What is it going to take to remove this huge tree and those very large taproots? It’s going to take spiritual weapons to remove it all!
The length of time it will take to remove the tree and taproots depends on how large the tree and taproots have become in your life.
For me, I became morbidly obese (I hate that term!), so my tree is gigantic, as are the taproots. It is not impossible to conquer this, but will take huge amounts of spiritual weapons to bring down the tree and dry up the taproots.
The spiritual tools I will need to use are: daily affirmations, mind renewal spoken aloud at least once or twice a day, prayer, Bible study especially concerning food issues, self control, faithfulness and discipline.
These will all work together to begin to loosen and dry up those taproots.
Last night I got the strongest urge to eat. I wasn’t even sure if I was hungry. It felt like I was getting a hunger pang, or maybe it was in my mind. I decided this would be a good time to practice saying no to my flesh, so I spoke out loud: “I’m saying no to my flesh.”
Saying no to my flesh is saying yes to honoring God in my eating, yes to walking again, (literally for me!), and yes to getting my life back. Getting my life back is getting my own independence back and doing things for myself again.
I had just heard a statement: “If my flesh is screaming, it’s not dead yet.” My flesh is like a little child wanting its way, having a temper tantrum. When this happens it’s a prime time to offer my body to and honor God. At that moment it becomes good seed to give to God.
So I felt like a huge chunk of the taproot was released last night when I didn’t eat. I offered my choice to not eat to God and honored him. I offered my body as a living sacrifice to God. I gave up food I wanted to eat and offered that to God as a gift.
Not eating is a seed, and when you give God a “not eating seed,” He multiplies that seed to you. He multiplies the seed sown and increases the fruits of righteousness in you. (2 Corinthians 9:10…)
It’s like a farmer planting seeds in the ground. Whatever you plant is what you get! If I plant tomato seeds, I will get tomatoes, not corn. If I plant cucumber seeds, I get cucumbers, not watermelons.
So if I want to not eat as much, then I will have to plant periods of not eating in my life. As I offer that to God, it becomes good seed for him to grow in me. Does that make sense? It is a spiritual law.
Here is the scripture in its entirety (KJV):
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food and multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.”
The same thing happens when we tithe. We give, and he gives back more! It’s a beautiful law that works. I understand this principle financially and have seen God multiply my finances over and over again.
But trying it out with God in the weight-releasing realm was another story. However, God used a “Big D Episode” (being disobedient and paying for it with digestive issues and the like,) to turn my attention to this realm. So I’m beginning to put this scripture into practice in my life more and more, which is key.
It is amazing how God can take small amounts of obedience and turn them into huge victories. Only our God can do that!
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” (Zechariah 4:10)
Wanda Walker
(See her bio below.)
Thank you Wanda for your post. What great and encouraging words. It’s so true….God can dry up any taproot no matter how long and thick it may look. It just may take a little longer for those of us whose strongholds are, well, stronger. I’m so hopeful for you, for me, and for anyone who longs to know God more deeply through Thin Within. He draws near to us when we draw near to Him!!!
I definitely know what it is to struggle and my taproots are huge so it’s going to be a longer journey for me. Thank you for your response and we just have to persist we will be free. Galatians 6:9 gives us that promise if we do three things: 1) Do well consistently 2) Do not get weary and 3) Never give up!
This really spoke to me. We had a huge stump in our yard and did everything to wrestle those nasty taproots out of the ground. It took us weeks of putting water on the stump, chainsaw and whatever else kind of garden tool to attack the stubborn roots. When one was freed, another was discovered. No telling how many tap roots are holding us back from complete freedom. I too am bigger than the average bear and would love to be accountability partners with you or anyone on this journey. My email is debgrulke@yahoo.com, and I am not on Facebook. God knows how deep our roots go and He is the Master Gardener!!!
Thank you, Wanda, for your words that offer encouragement and hope to all who struggle with wanting too much food. God bless you on your journey.
Thank you for your comments Linda. Best wishes on your journey!
Hi Wanda, I really like how you explained, when you give up the food you offer it up as a sacrifice to God. This will be what I will focus on today. His grace is sufficient. I will offer it to Him! Thank you Jesus!
Today is a new day!
Such a good post, thanks Wanda. I love your analogy on the thick roots in our lives. Blessings, Karon Ruiz
Thank you Karon for your comments.
Wow! I really needed to hear this! Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift of writing with us! 💛
Wanda~ Your writing is so deep and insightful! I love how you use these earthy analogies to relate to our eating behaviors and struggles with food. I am struggling with surrendering to God completely, especially when those pesky cravings take over and oh so quickly at that!! I need to learn more about mind renewal. I am enjoying the Barb Raveling book you recommended – – thank you!!
Bless you.