We do not like to admit it, but depression, low self-esteem, guilt, shame, and feeling worthless plague the members of the Body of Christ as well as unbelievers in the world at large, especially during the holiday season. Often people self-medicate with drugs, alcohol, and even food. I, myself, am guilty of using food in the past for those reasons, but like the alcoholics and the drug addicts, I learned the hard way that food does not resolve those issues. It adds to them, and your crutch to get through the mental anguish and scars soon cripples you.
There is a cure for the disease, a wonder drug that the world cannot obtain. His Name is Jesus, the Balm of Gilead! “He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes, we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). It is hard to believe, but Jesus considered us worth the pain and suffering He endured to redeem us and heal us from every affliction. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Jesus not only died for you and me, but He is also fighting our enemies on our behalf even now! 1 Corinthians 3:17 says, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” Did you hear that? God says your body is His temple, which means you are His “house” or “dwelling place” (Haggai 1:8, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Peter 2:4-5). Therefore, you are holy and sacred in His sight, and He loves you so much He fights for you, died for you, and lives in you! His Holy Spirit empowers you first by changing your rebellious way of thinking. Once you agree with God’s perspective and standards for your life, then He also empowers you to conquer every enemy, including mental health issues, obesity, and eating disorders.
Stop listening to the lies of the evil spirit of fear! You are blessed and dearly beloved by the Master. Stop running to the dead idol you have made of your stomach, food, and beverages. Stop bingeing and purging, starving your body, and being so obsessed with food perfection that you can no longer lead a normal life. Instead, eat and drink for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), cling to the God Who is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), run to the God Who is your Comforter (John 14:16), and cry out for the Lord Who renews your strength (Isaiah 40:31). Cast all of your cares on Him. I encourage you to wait upon the One True Living God, trust in His love, and when He delivers your mind from its mental turmoil, accept your deliverance with joy and gladness. In other words, believe you are worth it.
If you want to break the cycle of mental anguish, obesity, and eating disorders, God stands ready to give you a sound mind and safely usher you into the Promised Land of Healthy and Fit for Life! Purchase your copies of the Eating as an Act of Worship Workbook and the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher’s Edition online today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com. In the books, you will learn the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God. Read our weekly blog for motivation to stay healthy and fit through Christ. Follow us daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for recipes, and diet and exercise tips. Tune in to our syndicated radio show on Spotify, the DFW Den Radio Station, the StudioW Buzz Radio Station, and Victory KVDW 100.9 FM, 95.3 FM, and 1530 AM in Little Rock, Arkansas for interviews and health and fitness trends. Lastly, make your tax-deductible donation to Eating as an Act of Worship Ministries at www.eatingasanactofworshipministries.org!
