It’s true! Praying earlier than meals can truly show you how to overcome overeating and glorify God. Right here’s how merely saying grace can change the way in which you eat.
One of many greatest struggles girls have when they’re making an attempt to shed extra pounds is making modifications to their consuming.
Whether or not it’s emotional consuming, overeating, or being tempted by junk meals, there’s no denying that meals is an space the place we want some additional power to remain on observe.
I’ve actually struggled with overeating (you’ll be able to examine my 100-pound weight loss journey right here) and emotional eating, however they CAN be overcome.
(These are the 4 steps that took me from calorie counting to food freedom.)
So, I’ve a easy problem for you this week.
Earlier than you eat something, cease to say a blessing.
Whether or not it’s a snack, a meal, or a dessert, simply cease to hope.
How you pray isn’t as necessary as the truth that you do pray.
- I grew up in a household that sung grace collectively at mealtime. I had no concept this wasn’t a “regular” factor that each household did, however we nonetheless do it each Sunday evening at household dinner!
- My husband, Adam, and I maintain palms and he prays earlier than our meals once we eat collectively.
- After I’m alone, I usually cease for a second of silent prayer earlier than I eat.
Whether or not you have got 5 minutes or 5 seconds to hope, simply the straightforward act of stopping to speak to God earlier than you eat is highly effective.
On the finish of this put up, I’ll provide you with an instance of certainly one of my dinnertime prayers if you need some additional steering, however first, let’s dive into some methods praying may also help you overcome overeating!
5 Methods to Use Prayer to Overcome Overeating
#1 – It reminds us to be grateful.
Meals is a present.
Once you’ve carried out loads of weight-reduction plan, it’s simple to have a skewed view of meals. There are “good meals” (salads, inexperienced smoothies, kale chips) and “unhealthy meals” (french fries, donuts, fried hen).
The feelings we carry to the desk (actually) can change the entire expertise.
Once we are feeling responsible for consuming a portion of “unhealthy” meals, it could actually lead us to overeat to punish ourselves for our unhealthy selection or potential overindulge as a result of we now have been so strict in our weight loss program.
However, maintaining a healthy diet meals can really feel like a punishment once we’ve categorized them like this. We are able to really feel like a sufferer ( “Ugh…I have to eat this salad as a result of it’s good for me…”) and that may smash the expertise, too. That usually leads us to run to junk meals as a result of “we deserve it” for struggling by means of maintaining a healthy diet meals.
As a substitute, I encourage you to start out each snack or mealtime with a coronary heart of gratitude.
Thank God for His provision.
Do not forget that meals is type of like a love language! He gave us meals to take pleasure in, nourish our our bodies, and look after us in tangible (and scrumptious) methods.
The carbohydrates in potatoes give us vitality, the vitamin A in bell peppers helps us to see clearly, and the protein in hen builds our muscle groups to assist us elevate youngsters and groceries.
And it’s okay to thank Him for unhealthy meals, too!
“Eat honey, my son, for it’s good;
honey from the comb is good to your style.”Proverbs 24:13 NIV
After all, there are boundaries there for our personal good, however these candy issues are a present, too.
There’s a lot to be pleased about while you eat and also you’ll discover that your grateful coronary heart modifications the way in which you eat.
#2 – It brings God to the entrance of our minds.
“So whether or not you eat or drink or no matter you do, do all of it for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
Consuming is a option to glorify God, similar to exercise can be an act of worship, work will be ministry, and doing dishes will be an act of affection.
Residing as a Christian doesn’t cease on the door of the church. Your life – the alternatives you make each single day within the on a regular basis issues – is a living sacrifice to God.
Our pastor’s sermon final Sunday was on “Jesus consciousness,” simply merely being conscious that God is with you in each single factor you do every single day.
Stopping to hope will increase your Jesus consciousness and makes consuming a holy expertise and a beautiful option to join with God.
On this planet of emotional consuming (which normally leads us to overeat), we frequently attain for meals once we really feel:
- careworn
- lonely
- unhappy
- pissed off
- overwhelmed
Guess what helps to calm all of these issues? Jesus consciousness.
Stopping to hope is one other reminder that working to God is rather more efficient at coping with these deep feelings than working to meals.
He’s our final supply, not chocolate, of consolation, pleasure, peace, satisfaction, and all the issues we crave.
#3 – It has the facility to cease cravings of their tracks.
When cravings hit, they hit exhausting they usually scream that they NEED to be glad and proper NOW.
Once you cease to hope, you’re telling your craving that it’s not in command of your choices.
In even simply these few moments, you’re placing house between your self and that craving, placing meals again in its correct place.
You’re additionally bringing God’s power into the expertise and He fights exhausting for His youngsters!
No temptation has overtaken you besides what’s frequent to mankind. And God is trustworthy; he won’t allow you to be tempted past what you’ll be able to bear. However if you end up tempted,[c he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Temptations are strong, but God promises to show you a way out.
Prayer gives you the time to stop and look for that way out and ask Him for guidance if you just can’t see it.
#4 – It reminds you of food’s proper place in your life.
Food is a gift from God and He wants you to enjoy the blessings He gives you.
But there are proper boundaries for everything for a reason, in relationships and in food.
One of the biggest wake-up calls for me was when I realized that my secret eating was out of control. I was sneaking food, binge eating behind closed doors, and hiding food from others so I could have it for myself.
That day, I realized my desire for food had become a character issue.
Food has its purpose. It fuels our bodies, brings people together at the table, and gives us so much joy…but food should not be calling the shots in our lives.
Prayer helps you to be intentional about the type of foods you choose to eat (and how much you eat).
Praying before we eat is a reminder that it is a God-given gift to be enjoyed, but we should be the ones consuming the food, it shouldn’t be consuming us.
#5 – It reminds you of your identity
Prayer not only reminds us of who God is, but also who we are in Him.
Like I mentioned earlier, we often reach to food to fill those gaps in our hearts where we feel alone, powerless, and out of control.
We may feel fat, ugly, unlovable, weak, beyond repair, and like a mistake, but those are all lies from the enemy.
As Christians:
- You are never alone. God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
- You are never powerless. I may be powerless on my own, but God renews my strength and gives strength to the weary. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
- Your life is never out of control. God is always in control and He is always working for your good. (Romans 8:28)
- You are a masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
- You are chosen. (1 Peter 2:9)
- You are valuable. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
- You are forgiven. (1 John 1:9)
- You are free. (Romans 6:18)
You don’t have to rely on Cheetos and chocolate to fill your gaps. Jesus has already done that.
You can be confident in who you are, knowing that food you are using to fuel and nourish your body is helping you to live out a powerful purpose that God uniquely create you to fulfill.
An Example of Praying Before Meals
Heavenly Father, thank You for today. This is the day that You have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it! Bless this food to my body and bless the hands that prepared it. You are so good to me, always showering me with abundant provision. Help me to use this meal to take care of my body well, as a temple for Your Spirit. Remind me to turn to You to fill my gaps instead of food. Help me to live passionately and purposely for You, serving and loving those around me well and glorifying You in all of my thoughts, words, and actions. I love You, God. In Your Son’s name, I pray. Amen.
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