Confessions of a Junk Food Junkie;Hope From God’s Word! I confess, I’m a junk food junkie! With that said, I really believe God has quite a sense of humor. For instance, He orchestrated for me to marry a health and fitness guru with a body fat percentage of .5 or less!! I might be exaggerating a wee bit…but NOT MUCH! His idea of fun is doing handstand push ups between sets of burpees!! Hey…I’m not complaining…without a doubt he’s got it going on! If he’s an organic, grass fed steak, I’m an 8 count nugget meal deal from Chick-fil-A!! He He! But due to my hubby’s love of all things healthy, I gulp down a green shake every morning. Yep, it’s green with avocado, kale and spinach. Oh believe me…I gagged at the thought of it…but miracles still happen folks! I’ve learned to actually enjoy it, thank you Jesus!
However, once I’m out the door, delectable temptations are in my face All. Day. Long. Unfortunately, I succumb to the power of junk food! I’m telling you, I will never judge an addict of any kind. Man, once you’re hooked it’s DIFFICULT to break the habit. My taste buds and body crave it like crazy! So in an attempt to get real about my habit, I decided to document my day…just to see how bad it really is.
Confessions of a Junk Food Junkie:
9:00 AM meeting –
Oh mylanta, I cannot even tell you how many sweets and treats I’ve indulged in at meetings: doughnuts, coffee cake, muffins. Here’s the deal, I go to meetings EVERY DAY. I always think that if I just have a “few bites,” it won’t hurt, but apparently a few bites add up! Eek!
11:45 AM lunch –
It’s gotta be quick because I have a full day. It’s fast food drive through time. Hmmm…I really should get the grilled chicken salad and a bottled water. Oh but if I just get a couple of things on the dollar menu, that will be cheaper and easier to eat while driving to the next destination. Uh huh.
12:10 PM appointments/errands –
Lord Help. It’s time to go to Wal-Mart! One of my favorite internet sensations, “Whoa Susannah,” calls Wal-Mart “satan’s playground!” That makes me chuckle and my left eye twitch simultaneously. I gravitate to what I know my kiddos will want to eat, and quite frankly, what I will want to eat. I’ve jumped on and off the “Low Carb Diet” roller coaster a hundred times. I’ve made mashed “faux-tatoes” out of cauliflower, and crustless pizza and almost lost my ever lovin’ mind! My motto has become, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” Umm Yeah. I’m starting to see a pattern here.
Stress eating alert:
I’ve made it through Wal-Mart and received 2 unpleasant phone calls in the meantime…now I’m in the slowest checkout line in North America! Right beside me is a huge array of candy and soda. My thoughts become irrational and all I want is just a little sugar to feel better. I look around to make sure nobody I know is watching and throw some M&M”s in the cart! Not good, friends!
3:00 PM coffee break –
I’m ready for caffeine to make it through the after school chaos, I mean, activities.
4:30 PM after school snack –
My kids are starving, bless their hearts. I give them peanut butter with apples, and it looks so delicious that I end up having some too…even though I’m really not hungry. Add 500 extra calories to my tab!
6:00 PM dinner –
Welp, tonight we have soccer, cross country and the hubs has a class after work. We are out and about, and Chinese food is calling our name. Soda, egg rolls, fried rice, cashew chicken…and so it goes.
8:30 PM last call –
Homework, laundry, bills, bedtime routines…I won’t even mention the cookies I had right before bed.
Wake Up Call!
Last week I had to face the consequences. I went to the doctor because of how bad I’ve been feeling. I found out that my A1C is high and I’m Prediabetic. Being a junk food junkie is not a funny joke anymore. Change is now imperative! Here’s what my husband says, “It’s not that you can’t have treats ever again, but you have to make MORE good deposits in your health account than withdrawals.” He’s right. I’m feeling overdrawn for sure! And it affects everyone I interact with, it’s not just about me. My energy, mood, and health are as junky as the junk food I’m consuming. So…no big deal… my life needs a complete overhaul!!
3 reasons why I am a junk food junkie:
A Lack of Hope
Can you relate to a “lack of hope” when it comes to your struggle, whether it’s junk food or (fill in the blank)? It’s overwhelming. For example, it’s easy to believe that changing is too hard and painful. I didn’t get here overnight and I’m not going to get out of this overnight. But to be completely honest, I’ve turned to junk food as my stress reliever, my comfort. The TRUTH is that turning to anything for comfort besides Jesus leads to a world of hurt. It’s the quintessential “Downward Spiral.”
A Lack of a Plan
While I want to change my ways, this is not gonna magically happen without a plan! Wait a minute, I think I read a blog about action plans. Oh yeah, I wrote one! LOL! ” A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action “
A Lack of Self Control
You might be wondering how I could let myself be so out of control. Even though I know Jesus, it is easy to impulsively make decisions that feed the flesh right here and right now. I can so relate to Paul when he says:
“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.” Romans 7:15-16
Thankfully I do know Jesus and He has been pressing on my heart to do what I know I need to do! That’s why I finally went to the doctor, and I am going to seek help through a Christian counselor as well. I know from experience that God uses Christian counselors in a powerful way to get us through rough times. If you are struggling, I want to encourage you to start with the power of scripture. See, when I need self control, I know that praying God’s word is what makes change truly possible! He has helped me overcome trials in the past, and I know He is going to do it again! It is truly up to me and you to choose it…to want it!
When you are lacking hope:
Blessed am I when I’m patient under trial and stand up under temptation, for when I have stood the test and been approved, I will receive the victor’s crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
When I call, You answer me; and you strengthen me with strength, might and inflexibility to temptation in my inner self. Psalm 138:3
I will be subject to God. I will resist the devil and he will flee from me. James 4:7
And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:2-5
When you are lacking a plan:
I will not die for lack of discipline and instruction, and in the greatness of my folly be led astray and lost. Proverbs 5:23
The plans of the diligent lead to profit, but everyone who is impatient and hasty lead only to want. Proverbs 21:5
When you are lacking self control:
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12
I operate and self-control and don’t allow my spirit to be unruly. I refuse to be like a city that is broken down and without walls. Self-control and discipline add protection to my life. Proverbs 25:28
True Life Of Our Soul:
The Bible says that by our steadfastness and patient endurance we will win the true life of our soul! (Luke 21:19). Is there something in your life that is destructive, but what you really desire is true life of your soul? Let’s take the first step together starting today! It won’t be easy, but tasting victory will be ever so much sweeter than any kind of junk food (or fill in the blank) could ever be! I declare in Jesus’ Name to be addicted to Christ and Christ alone!
We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, in fact, He will lead us step by step.
AND by the way, I still think God has a sense of humor for pairing me with my husband, but even more than that, God has AMAZING GRACE for giving me my husband to help me turn from a “Junk Food Junkie” into “More Than a Conqueror!” What a loving God we serve!
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