Appreciate What I Do Have

Appreciate What I Do Have

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 (NKJ)

I can’t eat gluten. It makes me sick…hospital visits kind of sick. Gluten includes wheat, barley (malt), rye, and oats. That covers a substantial percentage of the available foods you find at the grocery store. Since I’m trying to eat healthy by eating less carbs and sugar, my list of allowable foods shrinks even more. It’s easy to have a pity-party. Poor me.

Instead of focusing on what I can’t have, I need to appreciate what I do have. I can eat fruits, veggies, meats, eggs, and milk products. On Sundays, I allow myself to eat whatever my palate desires, within reason of course (still no gluten but that’s okay). Due to folks educating the food industry about celiac disease, there are now numerous gluten-free alternatives.

I'm also thankful for my health. And my family. And my friends. And my church. And my writer friends (who totally get me). I have Jesus and His unconditional Love. I have His Word.

There’s no reason for me to feel sorry for myself or feel like I’m missing out on all the good stuff. As I count my blessings, the Lord fills me with gratitude and I’m able to appreciate His goodness, grace, and mercy in my life. God is Good.

His Grace Is More Than Enough

I'm going to change directions for a few days and focus on something else that is important to me. Living a healthy lifestyle. I posted three articles on my Facebook and now I want to share them here. This 3rd article was written on 7/26/23.

His Grace Is More Than Enough

I've written a couple posts about my struggles with unhealthy eating. I hope you don't mind one more. My prayer is that God will use these posts to encourage someone else struggling with addictive issues in their lives. (Not to mention, it helps hold me accountable.) May God be glorified...

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJ)

Unhealthy foods are my kryptonite. Let’s face it, many of us have our own areas of struggle, some listed in the above verses. Paul called them "a thorn in the flesh." (See 2 Corinthians 12:7-8.) He begged God several times to remove the thorn. God’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

I’ve begged God to remove my craving for unhealthy foods. He hasn’t. He pretty much told me the same thing He told Paul. God wanted Paul and He wants me to be dependent on Him. Like Paul, I can't boast in my own accomplishments because, without Him, I'm a hot mess.

Without the power of Christ in my life, I’d be living with high cholesterol and high blood pressure, probably taking a plethora of meds. I was facing those physical issues two and half years ago when I decided to change to a healthier lifestyle.

Three months ago, I lost focus that it was Christ in me who helped me make healthy food choices. I bragged in my accomplishments forgetting it was Christ’s strength which gave me the power to withstand the lure of unhealthy foods. I became prideful and was determined to do it my way in my own strength. And God let me do it my way for a while.

The reality is when I am weak, I become strong only through Him. Thankfully, His grace is more than enough. Yesterday was another good day. As I focus on Jesus and the Truth of His Word for my specific situation, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 3:14).

He Is My Portion

I'm going to change directions for a few days and focus on something else that is important to me. Living a healthy lifestyle. I posted three articles on my Facebook and now I want to share them here. This 2nd article was written on 7/25/23.

He Is My Portion

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" Lamentations 3:24

Time for honesty. (Gulp.) I've been struggling with my addiction to unhealthy foods. My desire is to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle which I succeeded in doing for about two and half years. The past three months, yeh, not so much. Yesterday, the Lord reminded me that He is my portion. My hope isn't in the half gallon of cookie dough ice cream I want to consume or the dozen frosted sugar cookies calling my name. (Not to mention both have gluten in them and gluten makes me sick.) My hope is in Him. Only He can satisfy the thirsting and hungering in my soul.

Yesterday and today have been good days. Thank you, Jesus. I haven't been able to say that for three months. However, even if I blow it, my hope is still in Him. He reminded of the previous two verses in Lamentations...His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.

New Every Morning

I'm going to change directions for a few days and focus on something else that is important to me. Living a healthy lifestyle. I posted three articles on my Facebook page and now I want to publish them here. I didn't publish this article on Facebook, although I did write it shortly after I posted the first article on Monday, July 24th.

New Every Morning

I open the freezer door and then close it. I take the lid off the container of cookies on the counter and take a sniff. Frosted Sugar Cookies. They smell as good as they taste. Somehow, I walk away without eating one or two or...who am I kidding...a dozen. I sit at the computer to work on a devotion. The kitchen still beckons like the sirens calling out to Odysseus. I scold myself, “Stay out of the kitchen, you idiot.”

I try to fight the urge; however, by 9:00 a.m. the battle is lost. I’ve eaten three cookies, a bowl of ice cream (smothered in chocolate syrup), and I’m eyeing the potato chip bag. It would help if I didn’t have any junk food in the house but the rest of the family has a better relationship with food than I do. Why punish them for my lack of self-control?

To be honest, that’s the sort of day I had yesterday. It sucked. (Yep. Strong word although I can’t think of a better word to describe what happened.) After a binge-fest, I felt lousy. My joints hurt. My stomach hurt. The fifteen extra pounds I’ve packed on over the past three months caused my knees to hurt. I was irritable and grouchy. I felt like a failure.

I’m allowing myself to be vulnerable. I pray my honesty will encourage others who struggle to break free from the bondages in their lives. You are not alone in your struggle. I’m right there with you.

Two and a half years ago, I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I was also diagnosed with Osteoporosis.  Instead of taking meds, I decided to make a lifestyle change by eating healthy and exercising several times a week. By the grace of God, I accomplished what I set out to do. To God be the glory.

I’m not sure why I’ve struggled over the past three months. I’m not sure why I’ve given into all the unhealthy cravings. I’m not sure how I ended up in this pitiful condition. Maybe the “why” doesn’t matter.

I’ve prayed and prayed and prayed and I’ve begged and begged and begged. Nothing happened. I didn’t change nor did my situation. Why can’t God close the freezer door for me? Why can’t He slam the cabinet door shut? Truth be told, God’s been quiet about the whole thing. Until today.

What makes today different? I don’t know. The important thing is in my spirit I heard God speak to me. He told me, “I’ve given you a new day full of my mercy, love, and forgiveness. What are you going to do with it?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, Lord. What should I do with it?”

He responded, “I’m glad you finally asked.” I swear I heard a chuckle in His voice. “Since you asked, I’ll tell you what you can do with it. Meditate on my Word.”

“I do, Lord. Daily.”

“No. I’m not talking about you reading the Logos Word, the written Word. I want you to get a hold of my Rhema Word…my powerful and active Word which can be applied to your life right now. Think on these things.”

Then it dawned on me. I prayed and pleaded for deliverance but not once did I attempt to apply the Bible to my situation. I know God’s Word and yet, somehow, I failed to use it in this current battle.

The Lord led me to two scriptures. I’ve written them out on sheets of paper and taped them on my desk.

Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJ)

I’m grateful the Lord’s mercies are new every morning. I’m thankful today is a new day to walk in His purposes and plans for my life. I’m a realist – the day’s not over – I may blow it. The good news is it’s 4:00 p.m. and His Word is giving me strength. I’ve been able to withstand the temptations trying to lure me into the kitchen.

Even if I blow it later tonight, tomorrow is still coming. His faithful love won’t wane and His mercies will be available to me once again.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJ)

The Lord knows the thoughts and intents of my heart. I believe He supports my desire to live a healthy lifestyle. I don’t feel like He’s done with me yet and my desire is to serve Him into my eighties. (I'm seventy-two and still active in service to Him.) It couldn’t hurt to have my health. As I begin to meditate on the truth of His Rhema Word as it applies to my specific situation, I believe His Word will empower me to do what I can’t do for myself.

I don’t expect to do this thing perfectly any time soon. I do know I’ve been given a powerful weapon to wield as I fight this battle. There’s something liberating about dwelling on the truth of His word…it does set a person free.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32 (NKJ)