“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. . . Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’"
John 8:31‑32, 34-36 (NIV)
Food is a BLESSING
from the Lord, but for a variety of reasons it is being misused and abused
resulting in a national epidemic of “lifestyle” diseases. Furthermore, a hurting world is reaching out
to find ways to fill emotional hunger and anesthetize pain. Many of us allow food to take an
inappropriate role when we use it as a substitute for our relationship with
other people and/or God. Millions have
developed an emotional or addictive relationship with food. The lack of God in peoples’ lives has left a
void which cannot be filled no matter how much sex, alcohol, drugs or food is
used (it is interesting that at the same time as God was kicked out of America
the obesity rate went up). The Church
may be at particular risk for the consequences of food abuse because Christians
believe that promiscuous sex, alcohol and drug abuse are sinful and grievous
offenses. However, legitimate needs go
unmet and people often turn to the “legitimate” comfort of food. Meanwhile, a national obsession with food,
body image, diets, and an epidemic of eating disorders are robbing our nation
of its physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
There
is also a lot of misinformation in nutrition and weight-loss, often from
self-proclaimed “experts”. People need
clarity in an area that has become confused with opinions, half‑truths, and
contradictions. God's way is Perfect and
it is only by receiving and being obedient to His truth that we can attain complete Healing and live His best
plan for our lives. My prayer is that
while I share from my professional and personal experience that the Holy Spirit
will speak to the issues with which each reader may be dealing. I
have been free from the bondages of food abuse, diets and preoccupation with
body image for over 30 years. I define
freedom as the ability to grieve the real pain of life without the aid of food.
I am the most amazed person
on earth that I actually forget to
eat even in response to deep pain whereas previously it had unyielding power
over my life. Anorexia, bulimia, and
compulsive overeating are the extreme manifestations of a growing epidemic of
eating disorders, and there are an immeasurable number of people struggling
with bondages to food, body image and emotional eating in-between those
extremes. My heart goes out to the women, men and children who
struggle with food addictions, emotional eating, and eating disorders, as well
as to a Church burdened with disease due to out-of-balance eating behaviors. I want to share what God has
done for me, and for others, and what He can do for you. My intention is to share my professional and
personal experience, and Scripture, to bring light into this area of nutrition,
health and the food/dieting struggle many believers are engaged in.
Dear Lord, Your Word provides everything we need to live a godly life
and is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. May your Word lead us step by step out of
bondage to freedom. In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
N.E.W.
LIFE (Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness for LIFE): Biblical Support for Health and
Freedom from Bondage to Food and Diets
Print book $20 https://payhip.com/b/aLGtD
E-book $10 https://payhip.com/b/JKrMG
No comments:
Post a Comment