Thursday Thoughts

It is Okay to Feel - We have talked about how often emotions lead us to food. I know that I seek comfort with food instead of facing my feelings. Reading back through years of journal entries I see a pattern of denial...mainly denial of my feelings. I have heard it said, "feelings are meant to be felt" and another saying, "feelings aren't facts". In life we will be faced with many emotions; it is okay to feel.

You are thinking, so what do I do instead of eating? How do I exchange that habit for another? I have found a number of things help me.

1. Take a walk. This really does help. When I walk I am talking to God, sorting through my feelings and emotions. Sort of "blowing off steam".
2. Phone a friend. Just talking to someone who likes me, and understands and listens to me gives me the boost I need.
3. Do something you love to do. I love to garden and read and play with my grandsons. What do you love to do?
4. Go over your prayer list. Talk to God. Place your prayer list at the foot of the Cross. God will bless you.
   

In the comments section of this blog won't you list a few things you love to do? Share a Scripture Encouragement you use. Perhaps something you have to add will give another the motivation to move forward today.

Scripture Encouragement today is from John 6:35 (NIV) "Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

Grace and Grins,
Judy

Comfort Food

Food as Comfort? - Yesterday we looked at our motivation to change the eating habits that are causing us pain. Today we will look at the motivation that helped form these habits.

In an attempt to change my destructive eating habits I am trying to identify those times when I seek the comfort food offers. Just off the top of my head I can come up with the following list: when I am lonely, bored, worried, happy, sad, stressed, angry, frustrated and busy. Looking at this list I can see that not every emotion is negative. So, that blows the theory that I eat to be happy. I am starting to see that my obsession with food, especially foods I enjoy, is the practice of self-indulgence which began during my childhood. I wasn't happy, those certain foods made me happy, therefore I ate them. I haven't stopped yet.

So what is my excuse now? I am very happy and content with life. I know Jesus and I know He loves me and wants what is best for me. The only thing I can come up with is that now my behavior is a habit. My goal is to break this habit and get to the place where I eat to live and not the other way around.

Scripture encouragement for today is from Psalms 81:10 " I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it."

Grace and Grins,
Judy