If you are just joining us, let me bring you up to speed.

I have been working through a couple of “series” here at the blog that I hope will be helpful for those who are either starting out for the first time with trying this “non-diet” approach “to lasting weightloss,” or for those who are *re*-starting. Likewise, if you have been at this a long time, you might find something here that can help you to press on. That is my prayer anyhow!

I made a challenge for the readers here:

Whenever you are drawn to food, take 5 minutes and wait. During that 5 minutes, ask God: “Why am I drawn to food right now?” 

 The answer we *want* is: “Because I am physically hungry–my stomach is empty.”

Any other answer means that we have the joy and delight 🙂 of using the remainder of the 5 minutes (and maybe more) to process what is going on that makes food appealing even though my body isn’t calling for it. I have been sharing here how I might process this in a journal or as I pray…I designate five minutes (at least) before I eat for connecting with the Lord and to evaluate if eating is really what I want to do when I consider all that I need to consider.

My use of 5 minutes is to try to peel away what is going on, so I ask prayerfully:

Ok, so I am not physically in need of food. What is this about, then, Lord?

I have shared possible answers here recently. Here is one more answer to this question:

I want it. I just want it. It sounds good, I want it, I can do what I want, so I will eat it! 

When I stop to evaluate this, I see that it is a lie. (Well, the part about doing what I want…) It flies in the face of the truth of clearly stated scripture which says, ^“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)


So, simply put, the “I want it, I love it, I will eat it now” is my claim that I have the right to do whatever I want.

Lord, I am reminded that this choice isn’t about the food. It is about what eating for the wrong reasons does to my heart. With this simple choice in this moment, I can choose to add another layer to the callus that has been growing on my heart, or I can choose to soften my heart.

What will I do about it?

I can choose to take to heart what Jesus says to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2. In that commendation and rebuke, he tells them all about the wonderful things that he appreciates about them first, but then says:

⁴Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.

Ouch. That is an intense indictment. Jesus doesn’t just leave them there, though. I love that about him. Likewise, he doesn’t just say to me: “ARG! You are rebellious and hard hearted! What EVER will I do with you!?”

Instead he gives me a solution…and I can apply this solution in my 5 minutes with him:

⁵Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. 

During my 5 minutes, I can remember the heights from which I have fallen…Lord, I remember when I was at a place when I would do anything for you. I would gladly lay down extra food for you given all you have laid down for me. Lord, you laid down your kingly glory when you came to earth in human form! You laid down your life so that I might be able to live victoriously. That used to be so real to me, so pertinent. It used to…well…matter. Lord, help me to live a life of gratitude today. As I think of all you have done for me, I revisit that “first love” experience…when I was so blown away by your love and all you did for me that I couldn’t resist loving you with my choices. I pray that I would do that today.