Copyright: alexraths
Okay let’s just stop the shaming of my tardiness in posting this October. In fact, I would like to talk about “Self-Judgement” in this blog post. This past summer has been a rough one. Suffice it to say, my health was not the best. After surgery, lots of beloved company we had not seen in years, and a long recovery period, I am almost back to full service in my business and my church and my life. My doctor visit’s post notes mentioned I was “de-conditioned”. Well, duh. You think so? So now I am doing some serious re-evaluation of my lifestyle and where my own shaming occurs and what I can do about that.
What I have learned is that I routinely shame myself, judge myself, and condemn myself when I fail in my daily choices of food, nutrition, exercise, a much too ambitious list of to-dos, and plans which are not in line with my respecting my body and my time, and my energy.
So, let’s get real here.
Begin with prayer. Sounds simple doesn’t it? And, yet how many of us actually do this?
Lord,
I know with you all things are possible, and that includes my good health.
Thank you for giving me the courage to take these daily steps for my good health.
You are my rock. You are my redeemer.
Amen
Do you pray before you take a bite of food at your meals? Do you know most people do not? Are you asking me, Janice, “Do I pray before I eat, even if I am by myself?” “YEP! That is exactly what I am asking you.”
What I have found in my life, in my observation of others, and even those in my inner circle of family and friends is this: Food has become an obsession. Food has become the emotional trigger go to for relief. Food has become the idol of the unhealthy [along with other substances which are not part of our discussion today]. Read this:
“Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down Before it. I am the Lord your God.” ~Leviticus 26:1
When did we as a society cross over from eating food to sustain life to obsession over food? Our abundance has not lead to “gratitude.” It has head to food worshiped as an idol. I am guilty of this. Only recently have I wakened from sleep not obsessing over what my meals were going to be for the day. Now that is a big revelation from me and one, I have struggled with my entire adult life.
We go to food for comfort, instead of going to our Father in Heaven. Food gives us temporary comfort and when idolized over and over, we are faced with aches, pains, inflammation, weight gain, clothes that do not fit and hours and hours on our devices seeking distraction and inactivity, instead of seeking God which gives us His comfort and strength.
Look at your food and beverage intake today.
What was your “idol?”
Was your food intake today for your “nutrition” or was it used as a “coping” method to an emotional trigger?
Remember:
NO Self-Loathing
NO Self-Guilt
NO Self-Shaming
instead
Seek God First
Pray
Give Yourself Grace
