How perfect is this study going to be for me?
Today was a challenge. It posed questions and made me think.
Food-do we rely on it more than we rely on God? People may laugh but really think about it. Some of us go for a run when we're stressed out. Some of us read or listen to music. Personally, I like to drive.
But.
Every once in a while, when I have a little extra cash in my pocket and I have had a really rough day, I indulge.
Hello, China Garden? Yes, I'd like an order of sesame chicken, no onions with steamed rice. And an order of shrimp toast. Yes. Yes. See you in ten minutes.
When Harry Met Sally, a bottle of wine, and half of my sesame chicken later, I wipe my tears away and crawl into bed to drift off to sleep, wondering why I ate so much.
This doesn't happen ridiculously often but it happens more than I'd like.
As a woman who loves Jesus, professes her faith to complete strangers, and believes in the power of prayer, why am I relying on sesame chicken, wine, and a few witty lines to help me through a rough spot?
This study gave me the definition of indulge as "unrestrained action". This is when it gets into the nitty gritty.
"I had to get honest enough to admit it that I relied on food more than I relied on God. I craved food more than I craved God. Chocolates were my comfort and deliverer. Cookies were my reward. Salty chips were my joy. Food was what I turned to in times of stress, sadness, and even in times of happiness."
How sadly true is that last part? When you're stressed, you eat ice cream. When you're sad, you eat chocolate. When you're happy, you go out to dinner with your girlfriends and enjoy dessert.
This study suggests a healthy eating plan can be one of the most significant spiritual journeys. While it's very, very hard to eat healthy in a cafeteria that literally had subs, mashed potatoes, stuffing, chicken, gravy, and french fries for lunch, you can practice portion control and, more importantly, focus on what you're feeding your soul.
Pray for me, friends, as I will pray for you as you look at what you're feeding your soul. I'd love to pray for specifics if you need them. You can always shoot me an email. emandherfaith@gmail.com
Psalm 139
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
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