As human beings it’s our natural tendency to want to overdo things. Even more so in America, where bigger is always better and more is always….well…MORE. We live with excess at our fingertips. Always there to comfort us, drawing us in with a ploy of temporary escape and happiness. But it never lasts. Whether it be food, sex, drugs, clothes, or things the accessibility and tendency to binge is taking over our culture. For our purposes I want to mainly focus on binge eating but please know the principles I share with you can be applied to any other area of life. One of the things I love to teach is how to bring your life all together cohesively. God did not intend for you to compartmentalize your life. He will take certain areas (like fitness) and show you things you can use elsewhere. This life is his classroom and what do you think he might use the most to get your attention? Maybe the thing you always have with you? Yes that’s right, your body.
If we’re going to binge proof your diet and your life, let’s talk first about what a binge actually is. Webster’s defines a binge as
1 A: a drunken revel
B: an unrestrained and often excessive indulgence
C: an act of excessive or compulsive consumption
2: a social gathering: party
There are two words I want you to pick up on in the definitions of B & C. Unrestrained and Compulsive. These imply a lack of control. My sweet friend I want you to know that God has given you the power to control this. You are not weak or overcome. In his grace he has empowered you.
“For God gave us a spirit NOT of fear, but of POWER and LOVE and SELF-CONTROL.” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
This means you are an overcomer when with him. You must ask yourself, “Am I trying to do this on my own or am I letting his spirit do the work? Am I in step with the spirit within?”
In addition to this, use the acronym H.A.L.T. When you feel the urge to binge or escape assess the following:
Am I:
HUNGRY
You may be legitimately hungry. If you haven’t eaten all day or drank enough water this doesn’t give you the license to go crazy. Binge proof your diet by drinking 3 glasses of water, then eating your meal with correct portions. Take is slow. Ask God for strength. He will give it! Hunger has a deeper effect on your emotional state as well. The snickers commercials are true! You’re not yourself when your hungry. When your blood sugar levels are all over the place you are more prone to emotional decisions and irritability. The world isn’t going to end. You may just need to eat something.
ANGRY
When you are stressed, frustrated, and angry the first thing you will typically do is try to control and conquer. You are looking for a release and somewhere to take out the aggression. If you can mow down a plate of brownies or a fifth of Jack Daniels (like I used to do) then you feel like a conqueror! It’s just another way the enemy gets at our pride. A great place to take that anger is in a good workout! Get up, get out, and get moving. If you’re not in a place to do that then get a journal and write out all your frustrations and anxiety. Write furiously and put it before God.
LONELY
We were designed for relationships and companionship with other people. When that’s not there we tend to go looking for comfort. Food is always there and is easy to get wrapped up in. In doing this, you will actually become MORE isolated. Your father in heaven is always there for you. He’s your ever present friend and source of comfort. If you seek him you will find him.
TIRED
When you are sleep deprived your body freaks out. It will actually start to confuse itself into thinking you need food for more energy because it has become used to not sleeping. You will also become more emotional and this whole cycle repeats. Take care of yourself and get some sleep. Rest with God. Be still and let him refresh you. Let him give you his peace.
Friend, whether you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired God has got your back. He has given you the power and the self- control to overcome any binge in any area of life. You need only to USE the power he gives. It’s not easy. Overcoming something never is.
I’m rooting for you.
Halting,
Lindsey Nadler
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