Monkeys are sometimes trapped. The trapper makes a specially cut wooden trap that allows their narrow hands to go into the trap but once they grasp the prize in the trap they can’t pull their hand back out. Even when they know they are about to lose their freedom they still will not let go of the prize inside the trap. They can just let go and run away but they don’t. They want what is inside the trap so badly that they give up their freedom to get it.
With food addiction freedom is given up but we still don’t get what we are trying to get.
When we live for Jesus Christ we start to have freedom and we start down a road to purpose and joy.
But many people have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Then they go their own way and become confused about everything. When we accept Jesus as Lord we receive goodness into our lives. Jesus went about doing good. If you are a Christian one of your goals is to live like Christ as much as is possible.
There was a little old lady who was struggling to mow her lawn every week. One day a young man came over and mowed her lawn for her. She began to cry. She had had such trouble trying to cut it. He was showing the fruit of goodness.
We were created to be good people. Adam and Eve were created to fellowship with God and live in paradise. How can you bring back a little of this paradise? Live right and do something good for someone. No matter how much you have messed up your life, God wants you to have a little bit of paradise. Even if you are broke and have nothing just turn your life over to God. I felt the presence of God in my life in the most wonderful way on one of my hardest days of my life. I had just left a stock brokerage firm that I was one of three partners of. I knew I had just left behind a million dollars. I had messed up everything.
I told God that I didn’t know what I would do but that I would try to do what He wanted me to do. At that moment I felt like Almighty God was in the car with me and I felt an incredible love. At my lowest moment I felt joy and I lived for a little while the way God intended for us to live.
Say 5 times a day: Addiction is a trap and it will take my joy away.
Try doing some good in the world and see what happens
Read Psalm 6
Their are many habits we need to learn to have the skills to quit our indulgence. One great skill is to learn how to turn around a bad day. Work was terrible and you come home and things go from bad to worse.
You must have activities ready and written down to combat situations like this. One activity I recommend is prayer. Pray several times per day “Father keep me from temptation”. Pray that God will show you your purpose and that He will help you to keep the sin out. Pray the Lords prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
King James Version (KJV)
These are the words from the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, taken from the King James Bible (Authorized version of the scriptures):-
9 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
We gloss over the words “Thy will be done”. If we are not at least trying to do His will, are answers to our prayers likely? I don’t think so.
I saw a lady on TV who along with her husband had been conned. A neighhood con man pulled the old give me 100 and in 6 days I can make 150 for you. This guy was really good and the con ended up being 100’s of thousands of dollars.
The lady said every day I pray that things will be back to normal but they never are. All of our retirement money is gone.
Now I can’t speak for God but will she likely ever get her money back? No! They commited the sin of greed and you can read for yourself in 1 Corinthians 6 how God treats the greedy. It is a deadly sin.
For many people the pursuit of pleasure becomes an obsession which puts up a wall between them and God.
Make a habit of praying every day to start to learn what God whats you to do and what He does not want you to do.
Learn what prayers God will answer. If you also ask God how many people are around you that are in pain. Which of them does He want you to help? Now you have a couple of prayers that may both be answered. And you may find your joy in the process. Make a list of 7 things you can do when you start to have food cravings. You can attend meetings talk to a friend or pastor or sponcer, read, pray, sports, games etc.
1. _______________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________________
Think plan and practice being ready to do these activities. Pray about being ready to do one of these things when you are triggered. Be in the habit of thinking: this is what I will do when temptation arises.
You need to develop the skill of immediately starting one of these activities when temptation hits you.
On a Spiritual level I tell myself all the time to turn aggressively from sin. This is very helpful because sin often leads to addiction.
Pray the Lord’s prayer every day.
Ways to lose weight.
Tip #1 Eat a healthy high protein breakfast. Keep your calories from carbs under 20 at breakfast.
How to lose weight: tip #2 Exercise vigorously 2 or 3 times per week. Life is not easier when you don’t exercise. Exercise makes everything better. You will be sick less, feel better and lose weight. Consult with your doctor before you begin an exercise program.
How to lose weight: tip #3 Sleep: Getting the right amount of shut-eye helps. In one study, people who got 6 to 7 hours of sleep per night gained less visceral fat over 5 years compared to those who slept 5 or fewer hours per night or 8 or more hours per night. Sleep may not have been the only thing that mattered — but it was part of the picture.
How to lose weight: tip #4 Handle stress properly. How you handle it matters. The best things you can do include praying, meditating, exercising to blow off steam, and getting counseling. That leaves you healthier and better prepared to make good choices for yourself.
How to lose weight: tip #5 Drink plenty of water. It helps get rid of cravings and keeps you full.
How to lose weight: tip #6 Plan what snacks are OK. I always have Chewy protein bars with me(you can buy a 5 pack at Wal-mart for 2 bucks). When starving between meals I take one bite and put the rest in a zip lock bag.
How to lose weight: tip #7 Eat several mini-meals during the day.
Studies show people who eat 4-5 meals or snacks per day are better able to control their appetite and weight. This technique is perfect if you struggle to control your snacking because now you can eliminate snacking.
How to lose weight: tip #8 Eat more vegetables and less carbs
How to lose weight: tip #9 Eat fiber – I eat carrots after a burger or pizza. It’s good to keep higher fat meals moving through the system.
How to lose weight: tip #10 Concentrate on permanent (slow is fine) changes.
How to lose weight: tip #11 Always believe that your exercise and discipline will work. Sometimes the scale lies to you – don’t believe it.
How to lose weight: tip #12 Weigh yourself once a week and pray: Father help me to develop the toughness to not worry about short term setbacks.
How to lose weight: tip #13 Don’t keep fattening foods around.
How to lose weight: tip #14 Eat lean protein at every meal.
How to lose weight: tip #15 Put snacks in a bowl so you know exactly how much you are eating.
How to lose weight: tip #16 Eat more fruits and vegetables.
The best “diet” is one where you get to eat more food, not less. If you eat more fruits and vegetables, you shouldn’t feel as hungry because these nutrient-rich foods are also high in fiber and water, which can give you a feeling of fullness.
How to lose weight: tip #17 Alcohol turns to fat in our body if we drink it. Count these calories and limit them.
How to lose weight: tip #18 Keep a food journal – people who do this lose twice as much weight.
How to lose weight: tip #19 Join a weight watchers type group.
How to lose weight: tip #20 Cut out steady use of sugar substitutes. Use these in moderation or they will get you in trouble.
How to lose weight: tip #21 Study self discipline – read a book or study online. The more you develop it the easier it will be to control your weight.
How to lose weight: tip #22 Learn to cook and love skinless chicken – it is high in protein and low in fat.
How to lose weight: tip #23 Bake instead of frying
How to lose weight: tip #24 Build up your exercise routine slowly – it only works permanently if you can do it permanently.
How to lose weight: tip #25 Dance the weight off.
How to lose weight: tip #26 Cut out as much white flour and sugar as possible.
How to lose weight: tip #27 Park in the last spot at the grocery store. Every extra calorie you can burn counts.
How to lose weight: tip #28 Lift weights – the more muscle you have the more calories you will burn and it will help speed your metabolism up. Consult with your doctor before you begin an exercise program.
- Checklist for avoiding relapse: Develop positive addictions. Exercise every day, pray every day, read the Bible every day, help others every day, fight to find your purpose every day, turn aggressively from smut every day, determine to treat people with love and respect every day, become more disciplined every day, develop more expertise in moderation every day, learn how to love and worship God more every day. Develop positive addictions.
- Pray: Father help me to be moderate in all things (being moderate in all things will help you stay away from your main addiction).
If this article has helped you, share it with your friends. Share buttons are below the index.
Thank you for reading day 19 of this program to get control of your diet
Pray the Lord’s prayer every day.
Index
Day 1: Cravings
Day 2: Develop positive addictions
Day 3: Start an overcoming addiction journal
Day 4: Controlling emotions
Day 5: Don’t sell your pleasure backwords
Day 6: With the Spirit we have liberty
Day 7: You have some self control
Day 8: Have coping statements
Day 9: Living water
Day 10: Learning from Genesis
Day 11: Consequences in Genesis
Day 12: Self control
Day 13: What leads to setbacks
Day 14: Learn toughness and learn how prayer helps with addiction
Day 15: What prayers does God answer
Day 16: Set goals
Day 17: Plan out what you will eat for the day
Day 18: Get the anger and other negative emotions out