| Viewing Single Post From: Avoiding Pitfalls 11/19 | |
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| editor | Nov 19 2008, 01:29 AM |
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A Dieter's Devotion For You:) From "Faithfully Fit," by Claire Cloninger & Laura Barr Avoiding Pitfalls The girl was sixteen, petite, lovely, and a cocaine addict, recovering from an eighteen-month habitual pattern of drug use. Seated around her in her aftercare group were supportive counselors and fellow recovering addicts. "Tomorrow is my first day back at school since I quit the drugs," she began in a trembling voice. "I'm scared to death. I'm afraid of seeing all the people I used with, and I'm afraid of seeing the ones who looked down on me for being a user. I'm afraid I won't have anyone to talk to. I'm afraid I won't be able to do the work. I'm afraid I'll use again. Let's face it---I'm afraid of everything!" Gently, deliberately, her support group began to help her formulate a plan a "re-entry," a plan to help her face the temptations and avoid the pitfalls of this new situation. They gave her phone numbers of supportive people to call if she got in trouble. They listed names of people at the school (including a counselor) to contact right away. They asked her to think through potentially stressful situations ahead of time. And people in the group who had been through the same type of situation in their own recovery shared helpful and encouraging advice. Gradually an expression of hope and confidence replaced her look of terror. What does the above scenario have to do with our struggle to overcome overeating? Every new day we, too, are walking into situations that are fraught with temptations and pitfalls. What steps can we take ahead of time to prepare ourselves for those temptations so that we can stay on track with our own "recovery" from overeating? Unlike the drug addict who realizes he or she must totally walk away from all narcotics, we who struggle with our eating behaviours CANNOT give up eating entirely, for obvious reasons. Our struggle is more subtle than that. What we CAN and must do is honestly assess what our "danger" or "trigger" foods are. (That's easy for me. Mine are sweets and desserts. My husband, on the other hand, is pretty good at walking away from cheesecake, but he has a weakness for starches and salty snack foods.) Whatever your weakness is, it's a good idea to keep those food items out of your house altogether. If they are not there, you can't eat them---at least not without some effort! Anytime I find myself putting cookies or ice cream into my grocery cart, I know what's going on. I'm setting myself up for a fall. And with God's help, I stop myself. Part of our journey toward eating sanely is learning to think through our weaknesses and temptations ahead of time, rather than being caught off guard by them. With God's guidance and help, we are beginning to overcome. Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I think through the potential temptations of this day, help me to plan realistic ways to head them off. Give me the strength to remove from my environment any and all things that would be a stumbling block to my eating program. Help me not to fear my weakness, but to trust your overcoming power in me. I thank you, Lord, for these places and times of testing that help me to grow stronger in you. Amen. Scripture: "But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts)" Romans 13:14, Amplified. The key to this verse is "make no provision." Affirmation: God gives me wisdom and strength to overcome every temptation. Suggestions: Go through your kitchen and rid your cabinets and refrigerator of "high temptation" foods (chips, candy, whatever tempts you). If you feel you must keep some of these on hand for children or spouse, or if you roommate is not sympathetic with your new program, buy some plastic storage boxes, seal these temptations away from your first grasp, and put them on a high shelf or at the far back of a cabinet. they'll still be there, but you'll be surprised how just having them out of sight will help you resist. If you are feeling weak as you consider the temptations at hand, praise God! Remember, God loves to be strong in weak people! Read 2 Corinthians 12:9 (And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.) and paraphrase it in your journal. Personalize it. Thank God for it! |
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| Avoiding Pitfalls 11/19 · Daily Devotions And Inspiration | |
9:36 AM Nov 25
