Food is not an enemy!

If you read my newsletter then you will probably agree that food is definitely a temptation in your life. There are so many great things to eat out there. For the food addict, eating certain foods brings on a euphoric high, much like a drug addict with drugs. The problem with being a food addict is that you can never just walk away from food. Food addicts must constantly fight the battle. I used to use the analogy that being a recovering food addict is like learning how to tame the monster and live next door to it for the rest of your life. There's truth to that statement. But I'm here to say that you can! Like all my newsletters, I believe in the ability to do this with the help of a Higher Power.

I understand the mentality to NEVER eat certain foods which can trigger you into eating more. I have proclaimed that mindset for myself and others from time to time. But I've learned that adhering to that philosophy is dangerous and I'll tell you why. "Never" and "Always" are strong words to use in dealing with anything. The enemy loves words like that. Back in the Bible, Jesus came to rescue us from "laws" and "rules." He didn't abolish these laws, he just came to open our eyes to living a higher law. Living by the spirit of the law vs. the letter of it, was his example. With this in mind, when you set out to avoid fattening foods because of fear or weakness toward them, you walk a tight rope that Satan will use to torment you. Eventually, you may feel so restricted that you will give into the very things you tried to avoid.

The scriptures say "Everything is permissible"-but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"-but not everything is constructive." 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV. What this says to me is that you CAN eat what you like, but the higher law, or the spirit of the law would tell you to consider WHAT you are putting into your body. Abstaining is not the answer necessarily, but moderation and understanding "why" you want to stop yourself, is the answer. I'm not advocating you eat everything in moderation all of the time, I'm simply warning against "always" and "never" stand points. If you keep a balanced approach to food, you will be wise. God allowed all these foods to exist. He is in control. Just like anything, if we abuse any of it, it can rule over our lives. "Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." 1 Corinthians 10:25-26 NIV. In this passage, Paul is speaking about spiritual laws that surrounded food in his day. I relate it to our current day. All food is NOT off limits. We must understand that this way of thinking is a trap. Food isn't the enemy. We CAN enjoy all different foods. We CAN partake. We just need to remember that when we do "partake", we must be wise and ask ourselves whether this will be beneficial to us. If the answer is "NO" and you still want to eat it, then prayerfully ask your Father to keep you in control while enjoying the taste of it. He will give you the ability to control yourself!

I just want to encourage you to relax with food. If you keep thinking you are to be so strict for the rest of your life, then you will undoubtedly feel like a slave to this philosophy. When you begin to feel in bondage to food (either by eating too much or too limited), you will indeed be a slave again to that master. The Lord wants to always be your Master. He wants to be #1. Food is just food, when God is in control of your life. Food has no power if God has the power! Please always remember that!