Hello hello!!
The other day I was reading this article on CalorieCount.com about how emotional eating starts. Emotional eating (EE) is defined as turning to food when an anxiety-causing or sad event occurs in your life. The article further stated that EE is not something that an individual is just prone to and another is not. It can happen to anyone and it a conditioned process, meaning that if you are sad or anxious at one moment and you turn to food for comfort, there is a high probability that you will turn to food the next time you feel sad or anxious.
This article got me thinking. If you can condition yourself to turn to food when you are sad or anxious, then couldn’t you also condition yourself to turn to God in times of sadness or anxiety? The answer is yes. Learning to turn to God when things that are out of your control take a turn for the worse is NOT something that comes naturally when you are born again. It is a skill like any other that has to be practiced over and over again. But if you never do it then how can it become a habit? What steps do you need to take to make a conscious decision to turn to God when times get hard? Here are a few steps to take that first big step lol:
1. Unplug. Go sit in your room or take a shower or whatever it is that you do to get out of your own head. Staying in your own mind is only going to perpetuate the problem and you are going to be more likely to turn away from God.
2. Get your Bible. Matthew 11:28 says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Indulge in God’s Word, understanding that He means every word that He says and truly does “work for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). Begin by reading scriptures that call you to God and remind you of who God is and His love for you. Scriptures like the following:
Psalm 9:9 - The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 37:24 - Though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 46:1-3 - God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth will give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Lamentations 3:31-33 - For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.
2 Corinthians 1:5 - For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
3. Write down your situation. I have never realized more things than when I am writing. Something about pen and paper just gets your thoughts going and helps you realize just how much God is with you and working on your behalf.
4. Talk to a spiritual peer or adult who you trust to listen. This is not so much for you to get spiritual advice. It is more for you to just release how you are feeling. Just telling others your situation helps. Although the following scripture refers to confessing your sins to one another, I think the same effect comes when you confess your issues to others. James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
This article got me thinking. If you can condition yourself to turn to food when you are sad or anxious, then couldn’t you also condition yourself to turn to God in times of sadness or anxiety? The answer is yes. Learning to turn to God when things that are out of your control take a turn for the worse is NOT something that comes naturally when you are born again. It is a skill like any other that has to be practiced over and over again. But if you never do it then how can it become a habit? What steps do you need to take to make a conscious decision to turn to God when times get hard? Here are a few steps to take that first big step lol:
1. Unplug. Go sit in your room or take a shower or whatever it is that you do to get out of your own head. Staying in your own mind is only going to perpetuate the problem and you are going to be more likely to turn away from God.
2. Get your Bible. Matthew 11:28 says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Indulge in God’s Word, understanding that He means every word that He says and truly does “work for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). Begin by reading scriptures that call you to God and remind you of who God is and His love for you. Scriptures like the following:
Psalm 9:9 - The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 37:24 - Though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 46:1-3 - God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth will give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Lamentations 3:31-33 - For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.
2 Corinthians 1:5 - For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
3. Write down your situation. I have never realized more things than when I am writing. Something about pen and paper just gets your thoughts going and helps you realize just how much God is with you and working on your behalf.
4. Talk to a spiritual peer or adult who you trust to listen. This is not so much for you to get spiritual advice. It is more for you to just release how you are feeling. Just telling others your situation helps. Although the following scripture refers to confessing your sins to one another, I think the same effect comes when you confess your issues to others. James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
I’m not saying that the steps above are going to be a 30 minutes process. They could take a day or even a week to complete. It’s just important that you finish them. One last thing to say: The article also mentioned that some foods like those loaded with sugar are addictive. So, “eating more sweets makes you crave more sweets.” Again, the same thing can be true of turning to God. The more you choose to turn to God when you are in a tough situation or are sad, etc., the more you crave to turn to Him.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!! Check out this song by Lecrae called “Lucky Ones” http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Your A4C sister,
Elizabeth
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