Warriors Arise: July 31, 2023
Matthew 4:1-4 (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.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
I have used that verse in my own life, to cut away the lies of the enemy and beat down the temptations he dangled in front of me. The lies he told me created a prison I couldn't get out of. I believe God strengthen me with His word so I could break free from my addiction. It may not seem like much to you, but I remember when my addiction would call to me. It would call to me from the other room. I would be driving down the road and be devising a plan as to how I could satisfy the addiction and how I could make sure no one knew. I would even stop somewhere to get rid of the evidence. Seriously, it was that bad.
A few days ago, on this blog, I spoke of the addiction I had in my life. Then yesterday someone surprised me with their comment. I have gone to our health company's convention for the past three years. There are several coaches who sponsor a worship service on Sunday morning. It is so good. It is a wonderful experience to worship God with my co-workers and business leaders. I have never been in a non-Christian business that has so many Christians. Yesterday, they called those who are in ministry to come forward. We made a row across the front. Then they invited others to come and receive prayer. A lovely couple came to me. After I listened and then prayed for them they wanted to connect and asked questions about me. One of the things I shared was my addiction to food and how God use this program to break me of that addiction. They shared their previous addiction to alcohol. Then he said something that surprised me, "I think our's was easier to break because we can choose not to drink, but you have to eat. You can't avoid eating in order to stop the addiction. There could be something in a particular food your are eating that can trigger the addiction and you may not even know it until you are battling wanting more."
He is so right. I have put on a couple of pounds and taken them off. When I reach for a second and then dies a third, I know the addiction is trying to control me. But a couple of weeks ago, I was on mission trip. I couldn't bring my own food. I ate what they were serving. It was not healthy, but I needed to eat something. I put on six pounds. I carried that six pounds with me to convention. I was a little disappointed at the gala when my green dress was a little tighter than before mission trip. Because I was going from the mission trip, to the road trip to get my oldest's daughter things from her apartment (she is moving back home to pay of her college debt faster so she can return to the mission field), and then a day to rest before driving through the night to get to convention in Atlanta, GA, I couldn't get rid of the six pounds. I sought the Lord for a plan.
God is so gracious. He confirmed in my heart and gave me peace. Yes, I would take a stand against the addiction. He encouraged me to make good solid choices as before. The day would come when I could attack the six pounds but I didn't have to gain any more or let the food monster/demon control me. He also reminded me that He wanted me to let my children celebrate me. I did not need to be in fear of gaining more weight when it came time to celebrating my birthday.
I REALLY enjoy celebrating others. However, God has been working on me to learn to let others celebrate me. He told me not to be afraid. Even though the timing of the mission trip, apartment moving, convention and my birthday all ran together, He would give me strength to make the right decision. He told me He had given me sufficient grace. just as he told Paul in Second Corinthians 12:9. He told me I had the courage and power to get the unwanted weight off after the celebration. Until then, His grace would empower me to make good decisions. He didn't want me to deny my children from celebrating me just because I picked up six pounds and didn't have the time to get into a healthy pattern to get it off. He told me to walk in peace. Peace that surpasses all understanding. God's peace that conquers fear and addiction.
I would not and will not be in fear. I will not be a prisoner of food addiction. Yes, I have to eat, but I don't have to be in fear when circumstances just won't allow healthy eating. It was too may drives through the night and very little sleep. It is what had to happen not my choice but my necessity. As I rested in God's sufficient peace, I have faced the food addiction. Today, I started to eat something and as I was chewing I realized it wasn't going to serve me. It was unnecessary, so I spit it out. I rinsed out my mouth. There was no need to have the residue in my mouth arousing the addiction of food.
If you follow me on facebook, you see my side by sides. I started program the day before Halloween and finished 8 months later. Now, I have kept the weight off for over two years and life a healthy lifestyle. I am surprised at how many people really do not want to celebrate a person's weight loss success. For me, it is more than a weight loss success, it is breaking a food addiction to which I can be tempted every day when I eat something that triggers the addiction. You may think it came easy for me. It was a wonderfully structured plan and structure gives me success. I had to face so many lies. Many lies I was told by others and the enemy. I had to use the truth and cast out the lies. Honestly, it was more of a mind battle than a food battle. The program I follow and coach is so simple and you eat absolutely delicious food. It wasn't rabbit food or cardboard which it what I thought it would be. I told my husband, "I can do anything for thirty days, even eat cardboard." That was my expectation before starting the program. I didn't realize I was facing an addiction. I had to win against the food that was causing the addiction and cravings in my body as well as the battle in my mind. The battle in my mind was strengthened by Scripture. I used this Scripture several times, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” God set me free from the addiction. I will not fear. I will turn to Him and get His counsel, Scripture, plan, structure, community who support me, and live in freedom. I will fear no more.
Father, Your Word is powerful. It breaks bondages in our mind. I am truly thankful, Scripture tells us Jesus was hungry. We all get hungry. But that doesn't mean the enemy can dictate when we eat, what we eat or how much we eat. I am thankful You have given me the strength to defeat the addiction. You give me courage to take a stand. You give me wisdom to know what triggers the power of the addiction. You give me understanding to know how to stand against it. You give me boldness to believe in the grace You have given me. You have me tenacity to stand upon Your Word and live free in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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