Warriors Arise: July 28, 2023
Matthew 4:1-3 (NKJV) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
Odd, how this hit today, of all days. Today, is my birthday and I am going to talk about desire and my food addiction. I didn't realize I had an addiction. I was addicted to food. After forty days and forty nights Jesus was hungry. I do not believe He was addicted to food. His desire for food was legit. He obviously learned something from being without food for forty days and forty nights. Later, in Scripture, Jesus responds to His disciples in regard to food.
John 4:31-34 (NKJV) In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” 33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
Jesus learned another way His body needed to be fed. Yes, His flesh was full of desire, "Feed me!" But, He didn't give into His flesh. How many time has my stomach screamed that very phrase? Too many to count! Matter-of-fact, it had become something I heard, not because I was hungry, but because I wanted to feed my desire.
My desire led me to wanting a quick pick-me-up or some type of satisfaction because my emotions were out-of-control. I ate because I was mad. I ate because I was sad. I ate because I was glad. You name it, any excuse would do to satisfy the desire to eat. I used to say, "Ice cream is the cure all."
As much as I thought I was in control of my eating. I even told myself and others, "I am watching what I eat;" and I was. I was watching myself eat every bite, but I reasoned in my mind it was ok, because someone around the world was going without and I needed to eat this last bite on my child's plate to honor the fact that they would want it if they were here.
I had an excuse for every time I ate. I was totally out of control. My desire to eat and satisfy myself was no longer something I controlled. It was something that controlled me. I rarely told myself, "No." Who wants to deprive themselves of something that makes them feel good? Certainly not me! I had gotten to the point where I had tried to lose weight, yet again, and I had gained! I had gained every time I had tried to lose. I was done! I had to accept that I would never lose the weight, sleepless nights were my lot in life, and constant pain was inevitable.
But God, led me to a program, with His help and facing the truth, I could be set free. I lost 87 pounds and last month I celebrated two years of being completely done with the weight loss program and living a health lifestyle.
I had to face the truth that I was addicted to food. It called my name. It constantly wanted my attention. I couldn't pass a donut shop, ice cream place, snacks, sweets or seconds on a meal without a struggle! Oddly, I would still be hungry. I tried so many exercise programs, but I learned you can't out exercise the harmful intake of the wrong portions and types of food.
I had been praying for years for a solution and tried so many types of exercise programs and diets. I was desperate until I decided that I couldn't win this battle. I believed the lie that nothing would work for me. There had to be something metabolically wrong with me. I was different. But those were lies. They were lies that imprisoned me and I became hopeless. I finally surrendered to the size I really was and bought clothes that actually fit instead of squeezing into closes that were too tight. I was done. I threw in the towel.
But, then God compelled me to try one more time. This time I was doing this, not for me, but to join my husband in a health program. I had one ounce of hope it would work for me in losing weight, but there was so much evidence that it would help to restore his health. So, I told him I would do this health program with him. Together, he, I and God, made a cord of three.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NKJV) Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Praise the Lord, even though my husband finished his program in nine weeks, he and our kids continued to encourage me, while God empowered me to keep going to make the possibility a reality in my health. I remained on plan for another six months even though Scott was done. That was huge! I started identifying the lies I believed and realized they were a trap from the enemy to steel my hope and cause me to quit. The addiction was broken and I am free. I have food to eat of which others do not know. I have the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to keep me free from addiction and spending my time helping others get their freedom.
Father, You are so good! I am so thankful I said "Yes" to Your plan. I am so glad You revealed the lies of the enemy. I am grateful You gave me the strength to break free from the addiction of food. I am blessed my husband continued to support me, when his health was restored. I am overwhelmed at the love my children showed me as they continued to cheer me on. They want me around and able to live life with them. You want me in my best health, because You have so many more opportunities to be Your witness. I press on to the higher calling. Thank You for revealing my food addiction. Thank You for setting me free in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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