Vindicated Christian

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Do I really need to be a Vindicated Christian? There was a time where I was in the midst of my compulsive overeating that I thought it was important. I thought that I would prove all those skinny snobs wrong when I'm finally thin. I will show them that I am somebody special and that I really didn't really need their friendship any more.

In some ways, that was right. Christ taught me that when I started turning to Him in times of stress instead of to food, that I was worthwhile and I didn't have to belong to particular groups to have self-worth. I didn't have to be thin to have self-worth. I didn't have to wear certain clothes to have self-worth. God gave me that self-worth freely, when I started turning my life, my eating, and problems over to His very capable hands.

 I learned that I don't have to stay clear of people who are skinny. God gives me a whole other perspective on those I choose as friends. He showed me that I should choose friends because they were worthwhile and they support me, as a person. They need to be supportive of my relationship with Christ and have a mutual relationship with Him, as well. I am no longer dependent on others to determine what type of person I am or whether I am worthwhile. Christ does this!  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Foolish Christians

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20

I've seen this to be true on so many levels. I've seen strong students paired with weak students, and after awhile, the strong students started taking on the negative attributes of the weak students. I've seen couples where one is basically sane and has good logic start to be suspicious in keeping with the spouse's paranoid views. I've been among a group of overeaters who rationalized their having calorie laden unhealthy meals followed by frivolous dessert options, because they deserved it!

What I've found that after awhile, the far-fetched opinions of the foolish start sounding logical. That doesn't mean a person has to eat gruel all the time and always do without, but our bodies thrive on a healthy balance.

I find that it's easier for me to stay on my food program when I am around others who won't be pushing food options on me or make me feel guilty by trying to eat in a healthy manner. I don't want to become a Foolish Christian swayed by the illogical thoughts of others. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Sarcastic Christian

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 

You wouldn't believe how many times I've been a Sarcastic Christian. Well-meaning people have come up to me over the years, especially when I was grossly overweight and say something they thought is helpful like: "Your clothes would fit better if you'd only use a little will power!" Well.... something about their well-meaning comments pulled my strings, because I would find myself responding with some type of sarcastic reply.

I don't know that I was trying to be hurtful, but more to draw attention to the fact that their well-meaning comment was less than supportive and felt very judgmental. Was I being the Christian example that Christ wants me to be of His influence in my life? Hardly not!

I've had to be prayerful about this one, especially when well-meaning people share little tidbits of wisdom that they feel will enlighten my life. I need to be gracious in my response the way Christ would want me to and not give a sarcastic response. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Prideful Christian

And brought them out, and said, sirs, what must I do to be saved? and they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16: 30-31

I saw this lady that I know who is in the medical profession. She was wearing leggings instead of her normal medical uniform and I said, "Wow, you are really skinny!"

The next words out of her mouth were, "If I hear someone say that again, I'm going to vomit!" That wasn't exactly the response I expected, not that I really expected a response.

I've thought about this a lot in the last few days. I used to cringe when people would call me fatty, rotund, tubby, etc. when I was growing up. I never thought about people cringing if someone called them skinny. I always thought being skinny was a desirable thing, so I never thought about it being offensive to someone, but I was wrong!

Just like I've been wrong on so many other things in my life, Prideful Christian that I am. I believed in Jesus as my Savior, but my actions didn't demonstrate that. I turned to food to console me when I was alone, afraid, hurt by rude comments of others about my weight, or I was stressed. Food had become a false god in my life, because I was turning to it instead of to my Lord Jesus Christ. Fortunately for me, Jesus has forgiven me and shows me when I start turning to food instead of turning to Him. My belief in Christ isn't supposed to be by my word alone, but by my actions, as well. And brought them out, and said, sirs, what must I do to be saved? and they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16: 30-31

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Mover and Shaker Christians


He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.  Proverbs 22:9

Have you ever noticed that there are some that sit in the background in the life of the church and let others do whatever needs to be done within the church. Their names are never on the volunteer list. They minimally donate to church sponsored causes, if at all. They always have a reason why they can't do something for those less fortunate and feel very self-righteous in these decisions.

Then, on the other hand, there are the Mover and Shaker Christians. These people are generous with their time, talents, and treasure. They not only volunteer for for church sponsored activities, but they often are the ones who think of innovative ways for the church to be involved in more outreach activities with the less fortunate.

Now, we all should maintain balance in all things. I don't think God wants us to volunteer to the exclusion of caring for our own family. There are many who hide behind this to never take on other than minimal, behind the scenes duties. The thing is, if these people helped with more than minimal duties, less of the Mover and Shaker Christians would get burned out. We have seen in some churches where there were few who stepped up to the plate when things needed to be done, leaving the same people to do the majority of all volunteer duties in the church. Which are you?  He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.  Proverbs 22:9

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Double Dipping Christians


For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.  2 Peter 2:20-21

I know when I was growing up, it seemed that what everyone else was doing often looked like a lot more fun than what I was doing. Sometimes, as Christians, we have the same type of decisions that we have to come to terms with. There was a song by the Loving Spoonful called: Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?  There's a portion of this song that was written by John Benson Sebastian, that says: Did you ever have to finally decide? And say yes to one and let the other one ride....

Well, it's easy for us to be Double Dipping Christians, where we attend church weekly, but once we are out of church, we are involved in a party-hearty live style. We want a close relationship with Christ, when it's convenient, but want to be involved with friends with lifestyle choices that speak of worldly decisions.

The thing is, this Bible Passage says that it is far worse to have known Christ in your life, and chose the worldly life. I know it's not easy, but He can help you with these decisions, because I don't think, from this passage, that Christ likes us straddling both life styles.  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.  2 Peter 2:20-21

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Self-Serving Christian

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again. Matthew 20:18-19

What a Self-Serving Christian I am! I read this passage and think of how selfless that Jesus was. He knew in advance that he would be tried, spit upon, hit, mocked, crucified on a cross, die, and be buried. He went through all of that so that He rise again on the third day to save us all from our sins.

When I think about all of that, I am hard pressed to determine that I would go through with it all for others, especially for those who would spit on me, hit me and taunt me the way they did to our Lord and Savior. He didn't let that stop Him, though.

I pray that I am a better example of how Christ works in my life, that I am more open to sharing my faith with others regardless of what they might think of me or how they might treat me. Jesus didn't let things like that hold Him back, why do I? I feel so ashamed that I let these concerns interfere with being the person that Christ wants me to be.  Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again. Matthew 20:18-19

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Can't See Beyond the Nose on Your Face Christian

We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John:19-21

Well, for years I used to take this passage very literally. I have to admit there are times when I was not always the best example of being a loving sibling, especially when they made life style choices that I thought were counterproductive. I had to be prayerful about my attitude and being judgmental of my siblings and their choices. I had to be prayerful about having a forgiving and open heart to them regardless of their actions. I can't tell you that I'm where I need to be, but Christ has made a miraculous change in my attitude and in my interactions.

I was a Can't See Beyond the Nose on Your Face Christian. I was only looking at my interactions related to my siblings. Once Christ drew my attention to my narrow focus, I realized that I needed to look beyond my siblings. Do I love those who snubbed me when I was heavy? Do I love those in the world who make poor life style choices? Do I love those in the world who sell drugs to others? Do I love those who don't love Christ and persecute those who do? Do I love those who traffic people? Do I love those who are against my country? Do I love those who have a different skin color? Do I love those who oppress others? Do I love those who........?

I won't lie to you, but am prayerful that Christ leads me in this goal to being a better example of the Christian He wants me to be. We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John:19-21
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Looking for Jesus in All the Wrong Places Christian

God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.  The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He.  John, Chapter 4, verses 24-26.

Have you ever watched movies where men or women are looking for their true love, but have a good friend they overlook because they are looking for the ideal partner?  The majority of the movie is focused on the main character pursuing people who are attractive, popular, etc., but never are satisfied.  Later, in the movie, they find that the ideal person for them is their true-blue friend who has been there, all along.

It’s like this lady who is desperately searching for Jesus, without realizing He is right in front of her.  He isn’t attractive, popular, etc., so He might go unnoticed.  He is our true-blue friend and Savior who is there to save us, but do we notice Him?  Like the song says, “Looking for love in all the wrong places,” do we want to be a “Looking for Jesus in All the Wrong Places Christian” or should we stop to realize that He has been right here in front of us, all along?

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Two-fer Christian

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

When I first read this verse, I immediately think about the positive personal impact on me. I want to be healed from vices like overeating, failure to turn to Christ in all things, and for physical healing or relationships that need to be healed, etc. That's my very worldly I-Me Focus on the benefits for me.

This time, when I read it, I realized there are the benefits for others who are praying for healing for our needs, as well. It may help them better relate to the needs in their own lives, some similar and some distinctly different. I was reminded that one of the reasons that I think that people have related to the Christian Overeaters Past and Present and other blogs is because Jesus uses my many shortcomings to impact the lives of others. I think, although I can't totally know, that some are able to relate to the many things, some that seem virtually insignificant, that may work a wedge in our relationship with Christ. 

I like the idea of being a Two-fer Christian, so my prayers and being prayed for are helping others besides just myself. So, for what ever the reason, we are to: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Gossiping Christian

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 11:13

I've been in situations where friends were sharing derogatory private information about others. I guess if I'm really being honest, there have been times in my life where I indulged in The Gossip Factor, as well. 

The thing is, when I'm around others who are gossiping or I indulge in this vice as well, I don't feel good about myself and my faith walk with Christ. I had to make a change. I could no longer be a part of a group saying how some other person looked to big to fit into the outfit that they were wearing. I could no longer be a part of a group saying how the other person made unethical personal choices. I could no longer be a part of a group that put others down to make themselves feel better.

Even if I don't have a group of friends crowded around me, I find that I sleep much better at night, feel closer to my Lord and Savior, and can look these people in the face when I'm not a Gossiping Christian. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 11:13

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Follow the Tail Lights Christians

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs 4:26-27

When I just read this passage, I thought about how I drive behind trucks in the fog when I can't see. I follow their tail lights faithfully in hopes that they know where they are going. Well, I just got to thinking about whether other people follow the path of my feet in the same way that I followed the trucks. Am I sure that I'm not making choices that lead me to the right hand nor to the left, where others might make similar poor choices?

Well, for other Follow the Tail Lights Christians, I don't know if I can totally answer this question, but will prayerfully work through this trying to be open to the message that Christ has for me in this....Hmmmm.... I'm curious to see where this leads.

I hope that when I share with you that God has taken the urge to eat large amounts of food and sweets away from me, that I give God the total credit for it. I have not accomplished this through anything of myself. It didn't happen until one day when I gave up on ever being thin and told God that if He ever wanted me to be thin, He'd have to do it, because I couldn't. The amazing thing is, that very same day is when God took those urges away from me.

Do I continue to model this turning my food and stress over into God's very capable hands? Probably not, but hope that when I share the many times I become vulnerable to food again, it's an indicator that I'm usually feeling stressed, overwhelmed, etc. and need to turn these over to God. Once I do, the craving for these foods goes away. In fact, it's kind of like God's given me this warning alarm.  When I start grabbing something crunchy or start to eat a half bag of something like tortilla chips, it's and indicator that I'm turn to food as a false god again instead of turning to my Lord and Savior to save me from myself and the stress that eats at me. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs 4:26-27
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Playing the Odds Christian

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing but righteousness delivereth from death. proverbs 10:12

I think I'm a Playing the Odds Christian.  I feel there is a better chance in getting the final reward I want if my life is not focused on worldly, wicked, and counterproductive choices.

Does that mean that I lead a perfect life? No, or else I wouldn't struggle with keeping the last few pounds off all these years. Those few pounds are an indication that I make a false god of food thinking it can resolve the stress I feel, instead of immediately turning to the One True Lord and Savior and put all my stress and concerns in Christ's very capable hands.

I know that even though I'm not totally the example I know Christ wants me to be, He is patient and forgiving and continues to lead me in the right direction, as long as I'm willing to listen. Fortunately, He never gives up on me. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing but righteousness delivereth from death. proverbs 10:12
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Devastated Christian

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And The Peace of God Which Passeth All Understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

You don't know how many times that Christ has gotten me through difficult times through this Bible Passage. Additionally, He gets others through their difficult situations, as well. What do I mean by that?

Well, there was a time when my son was born and he had a serious condition and had to be rushed to a hospital 2 1/2 hours away to a big city to have emergency surgery the same day he was born. Everyone else had their babies in their arms, but I didn't. I thought about it and realized that normally I would have been a Devastated Christian with having my newborn son rushed hours away for surgery, but I wasn't. That's when I first realized that Christ had given me The Peace Which Passeth All Understanding. I knew that if Christ went to great lengths to give me this calm that only He can give in the midst of traumatic situations, that He would take care of everything. Knowing that got me through until I could go see my son.

It's happened various times in my life and I am so thankful for this special blessing that Christ has bestowed on me to know He is right there beside me through thick and thin. Now, when others are going through traumatic situations, I pray for God to give them The Peace Which Passeth All Understanding, as well. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And The Peace of God Which Passeth All Understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Thankful Christian

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 19-20

Do I really give thanks for the sags an bags and floppy skin the way I say I do, now that I've lost the weight? I really didn't appreciate them as much as I should have in the beginning. They were just one more tell-tale indicator that I used to be fat and had out-of-control eating. 

Now, I feel I am a more Thankful Christian, appreciating these bodily imperfections as a sign of the miracles that Christ has done in my life. They are a lasting reminder that I don't want to go back to that crazy life style where food became a false god in my life, because I turned to it in times of stress instead of to my Lord and Savior.

Now, my life runs so much more smoothly, because I'm putting my life, food, and concerns into God's very capable hands. I realize that I may have never developed the close relationship with my Savior that I do now, if I hadn't gone through all the compulsive eating, bazillion diets, etc. before realizing that Jesus can heal my aching soul, if I only let Him. I am so truly blessed! Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 19-20
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Rose Colored Glasses Christian

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. Romans 14:8-9

There are times I feel that others think I'm a Rose Colored Glasses Christian, thinking everything is going to be wonderful and am not focused on reality. I guess they are entitled to think that. I found out a long time ago, that I can't control what other people think. As I have been turning more and more of my life over to Christ's very capable hands, I realize what really matters is what He thinks of me.

Do I fret over what will happen if I gain my weight back? Do I worry if I were to get sick and die? Do I worry about things out of my control? I wouldn't be truthful if I said that I never worry, but I find that I worry a lot less when I am trusting Christ to be in control of my life and the lives of the people that I care about.

When there are problems, I do trust that my Savior will get us through them. I don't know that there is always going to be a fairy tale ending to each situation, but I know that Jesus will get us through the good and the bad and the in-between. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. Romans 14:8-9

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Focused on Other Things Christian

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.  And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.  Luke, Chapter 17, verses 5-6.

This passage seems especially appropriate since I’m a “Focused on Other Things Christian,” thinking about selling my house, finding a job and buying another house.  If I were really paying attention to what I’m writing, I would realize my faith is weak, because I am worrying and having sleepless nights.
I need to focus on God and things will fall into place.  He works everything out so beautifully in timing, if I have the patience to let Him.

Here are some related passages:
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Luke, Chapter 12, verses 6-7.

*Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?  And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 29-31.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Do as I Say AND as I Do Christian

He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His Commandments, is a liar, and the Truth is not in him.  But whoso keepeth His Word in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.  He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked. 
1 John, Chapter 2, verses 4-6.

I need to be a “Do as I say And as I do Christian” and be more than boastful talk.  We need to be examples for others to see how God works in our lives.

Here are some related passages:
*For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled.  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 18-19.
*I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.  Blessed are they that do His Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.  Revelation, Chapter 22, verses 13-15.



Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Only for the Moment Christian

If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in You, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be My disciples.  As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love.  If ye keep My Commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s Commandments, and abide in His love.  These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  This is My Commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this that a Man lay down His life for His friends.  Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  Henceforth I call you no servants: for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.  John, Chapter 15, verses 7-15.


I don’t want to take this lightly, being an “Only for the Moment Christian,” then falling back into my old sinful ways again.  Jesus gave His life for me and for you.  He deserves a little more recognition than an occasional mention on special religious holidays or when we feel the need to go to church for family traditions.  He sacrificed so much for us which should warrant us trying to make a committed effort to be the Christian that Jesus would want us to be.


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Hungry Soul Christian

For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psalm 107:9

I don’t know about you, but there have been so many times in my life where I felt I needed to eat something. For me, it’s usually something crunchy. When I’m being prayerful about my actions, I realize that these times seem to be when I’m stressed or worried about the well-being of someone I care about.

When I’m a Hungry Soul Christian, filling my body with food during these times, the hunger exists even after having a full meal and more than ample amounts of additional foods. That’s because it’s not my stomach that’s hungry, it’s my soul. My stress or worry about others I care about is totally out of my hands and no amount of food or worry will change those conditions, but Christ can.

I have to turn these stressful situations and the desire to overeat into God’s very capable hands and trust His ability to take care of these people. Will I get a call that day saying that these issues are resolved? That’s highly unlikely. I do know that God gets us through the good times and the bad, and will get those people through them, as well. God’s timing is impeccable and He knows the right timing and way to resolve these issues. I have no doubt about that! For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psalm 107:9 

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

An Out-of-Whack Christian

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with the increase: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10

I could take this one step further, For Those Who Crave Chocolate shall not be satisfied with chocolate, nor he that loveth abundance of foods, sweets, etc. with the increase, this is also vanity.

I don't know about you, but often when I was craving something, something else was out-of-whack in my life! I had some major situation that was causing me stress even if I was trying hard not to think of it by instead downing large amounts of sweets or even foods that were of no interest to me. They never satisfied me. They never took that aching feeling in the pit of my soul away, that often felt like a starving feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I was turning to food, my false god, instead of turning to Christ to get me through the issues that caused me stress, that worried me, that frightened me, etc. Once I started turning my food, my compulsive overeating, and my stress into God's capable hands, He freed me from being an Out-of-Whack Christian who turns to food, possessions, technology, etc. instead of turning to Christ to heal me and get me through these issues. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with the increase: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Too Much of a Good Thing Christian

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Proverbs 25:16

Have you ever had too much of a good thing? I know I have and my mind goes directly to food. For being a compulsive overeater for too many years to count, I connected more with food than I did with the people in my life, that I worked with, and my Lord and Savior. Food had become a false god for me, thinking it would heal my aching soul and take my pain away.

I remember the times that I encountered a preferred food that was available at a given time in abundance, especially around holiday meals. I would fill myself up on that food, because I might not get it again for a long time. Then, I would wait until it went "down to my toes," so that I could get another plate of that desired food. Sometimes, I would even follow that later with another plate, but would go home feeling nauseated. That's too much of a good thing! 

Once I started turning my compulsive overeating and stressful situations over to Christ's capable hands to heal me, my life turned completely around. I no longer had to be a Too Much of a Good Thing Christian, where I let things of the world, whether food or possessions possess me instead of turning to the Lord.
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Less is More Christian

Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Proverbs 15:16

This is a case if less is more. Being an overeater, I can carry that one step further. Having less food while following God's will for our lives is far better than having lots of food and having to deal with the resulting: depression, lack of self-esteem, feeling isolated, etc.

It's been over 30 years that God has allowed me to keep off the vast majority of the 80+ pounds that I had lost through His saving grace. Christ saved me from myself. I was turning to food in times of crisis, joy, stress, and everything in between. Food had become a false god to me, because I was turning to it rather than to God.

Over 30 years ago, I told God that I was giving up and that if He ever wanted me to be thin, He'd have to do it, because I couldn't do it any more. At the time, I think I was just working toward self-acceptance, because I just figured that I was always going to be heavy and might as well give up fighting it. Well, it was that very same day that Christ stepped into my life on a whole new level and saved me from myself and my self-destructive pattern with food.

Have I perfectly followed my food program all these years? Unfortunately not, but God is right there to pick me up when I down a half bag of tortilla chips. I want to be a Less is More Christian and Christ is there to remind that I don't want to revert back to the way things were and shows me that He is the better way to resolve stressful issues. When I turn my stress over to God's very capable hands, my life falls back into place again. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Proverbs 15:16

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Cut Me Some Slack Christian

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

 Some times, I think I live my life hoping that God looks only at the good things I do on His behalf and turns a blind eye on the evil things I've done that I'm not proud of. I guess I'm a Cut Me Some Slack Christian more times than I would like to admit.

The thing is, God takes everything in, the good and the bad, but still forgives me if I remember to ask Him to do so. He's not just turning a blind eye, but loves me in spite of all my many flaws and shortcomings. He loved me enough to send His only Son, Jesus Christ, to give His life to save me from my many, many sins.

God loves me in spite of my compulsive overeating and turning to food instead of to Him in times of stress. God loves me in spite of my gossiping or being judgmental or being short-tempered or ....and the list goes on and on. I am so truly blessed to have a Heavenly Father who sees all and loves and forgives me anyway. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Know-It-All Christians II

Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Job 38:33-34

 God is speaking to Jobs’ friends who seemed to think they knew exactly what God would tell Job and mistakenly attempted to speak on God’s behalf. God wasn’t too keen on these men trying to be know-it-alls, sharing the thoughts of what God would say to Job during his many trials.
Well, some of us, myself included, give the impression that we are “Know-It-All Christians.”  We might convey that we know exactly why God has done or not done something, as if we are privy to God’s plan.  This got me to thinking. I wondered if it sounds to readers that I know exactly why God allowed me to lose the 80+ pounds over thirty years ago and to keep the majority of it off all this time.

First of all, I may make it sound like it happened all of a sudden. Well, it kind of did and it kind of didn’t. How is that for an ambiguous answer? It seems like for six months before God made the miraculous change in my eating, He allowed me to see just how much negative power food had in my life. It controlled how I felt about myself. It affected my relationship with my family, my friends, and with God. When I was turning to food instead of turning to God with all my stress, etc., I was cranky with my family. I shied away friends, and was reluctant to go to church where people could see me in my BIG clothes.

It’s like God had me see these things in slow motion, so that I could note how food, the thought of food, and Satan were controlling my life. I saw my reaction when my daughter wanted green apples to share with her friends and I got upset with her, because those were MY special apples, although I said I needed them for the family. I saw when I ate three egg sandwiches, which I’m not extremely fond of, and the third one fell on the floor, mayo side down and how I put it back together and gobbled it up, amazed that I would do something like that. These are just a few of the examples that I’ve shared in much earlier posts. The thing God was showing me was that Satan had a stronghold on me through my food. I was turning to food when stressed, happy, etc. rather than turning to God, which means that food had become a false god to me.

Then one day, I gave up. I had tried my “good diet” and gained weight on it when I hadn’t varied far from the diet plan. I sat down one day and told God that I give up and that if He ever wanted me to be thin, He’d have to do it, because I couldn’t. The interesting thing to me was that I really wasn’t expecting God to do anything for me. I was just giving up. I think, but don't exactly know, that’s the first time I had ever totally given up the power of my overeating and turned it over into God’s very capable hands. God took the desire to eat large amounts of food away from me that same day. I no longer craved sweets and carbs. It is a miracle and I’m very blessed.

Although I don’t have all the answers, all I can do is to share the insights that God’s shared with me along the way, hoping that they will be helpful for you, as well. I also feel strongly that if God can do this for me, He can do it for you, in His timing. Don’t give up. God may be giving you lessons about the power that food has in your life, like He did me. Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Job 38:33-34


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Sneaky Christians

And the children of Israel did so, and gathered [manna-bread from God for the Israelites], some more some less. And when they did mete it with an omer [unit of measure], he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. Exodus 16:17-18 

This passage may not seem significant to most overeaters, but it is to me, since I try to apply the Bible passages to my life whenever possible. The Israelites were supposed to collect an omer of manna for each member in their family. But there were some like me, who are fearful about running out of food, and tried to collect more than the allotted omer of manna.

Fortunately, God sees through us Sneaky Christians, and evened out the playing field. In His miraculous way, God made it so that those who tried to sneak more manna, ended up with the exact amount they were really supposed to take. Those who had smaller appetites and gathered less than the required amount ended up with exactly what they needed. No one had over what they should have had and no one had less.

Another thing that amazes me is that God knew what the Sneaky Christians had done. He didn't embarrass them in front of their peers like kids would have done if you took two cookies at school when everyone was only supposed to take one. Fortunately for me, God sees through my weaknesses and moves me to be open to the changes He wants in my life. And the children of Israel did so, and gathered [manna-bread from God for the Israelites], some more some less. And when they did mete it with an omer [unit of measure], he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. Exodus 16:17-18 


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Hoarding Christian

He [God] doth  execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Deuteronomy 10:18

If God goes to such great lengths to protect the fatherless, widows, and strangers of this world, you would think that I would be a little more willing to part with some of the food I have. But this is food we are talking about. FOOD! Sharing food doesn't always come easy to me.

Sure, I do my token thing with going through the food items I have, seeing which things we aren't using and donate those, but am I really sharing food the way that God would want? I think I've become an Hoarding Christian only sharing with others out of the excesses, not out of my need.

It's like when Jesus drew his disciples attention to the widow who gave two mites which were her whole living. These were much more significant than the rich people who were giving large sums of money out of their excess. I'm trying to be more mindful of this with financial donations, but am I hoarding food and only giving others what I don't want? I need to apply this Bible verse to all aspects of my giving, not just monetarily. He [God] doth  execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Deuteronomy 10:18


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Stumbling in the Dark Christian

Arise, lift up the lad and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. Genesis 21:18-19

When Sarah had delivered Isaac, she sent her servant, Hagar and her son, Ishmael, away. (It's my opinion that Hagar was a constant reminder of the child that Abraham and she had earlier before Sarah was able to conceive.)

Anyway, this passage tugged on my heart when I recently read it. Hagar was ready to give up and figured they were going to die in the barren desert alone, but she wasn't alone. I was thinking about how the well of water was there all the time, but Hagar couldn't see it until God opened her eyes.

Sometimes, I'm a Stumbling in the Dark Christian. There have been times when I've been overwhelmed by situations and felt so alone, and ate to console myself. Then, God opened my eyes, for me to see that He was right there taking care of me and my loved ones. I just needed to put our lives in God's capable hands instead of turning to food or other vices. Arise, lift up the lad and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. Genesis 21:18-19

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Grateful Christian

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Luke 12:29-30

In recent posts I told you how I turned to food which was a false god, to heal my aching soul. I shared how I used to spend months filled with fretting over finances to make sure we could pay our bills and have enough food for the family. I shared how I hoarded food, as well. Christ showed me that all I need to do is to turn to Him in all things and He will provide for us, but am I grateful?

I get caught up in my daily life and do I thank the Lord that I live in a country with freedoms that others don’t have? I get caught up in my daily life and do I thank the Lord for plenty of food to meet our needs and then some when there are others who hunger? I get caught up in my daily life and do I thank the Lord for healing my self-esteem when there are others who feel unloved?  I get caught up in my daily life and do I thank the Lord for allowing me the opportunity to share my shortcoming with you?

I need to be much more Grateful Christian for all God does for me each and every day. I am truly blessed! Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? Luke 12:24 


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

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