Spiritual Warfare
Posted: May 1st, 2011, 8:01 pm
Hello all,
My wife and I have been doing LDL for almost a month now. At first, I loved it. The first week I lost 12 lbs and I felt better than I have felt in a LONG time. My wife immediately joined me after about the first 3 days, and we spent WAY too much money at the grocery store rolling over our cupboards and refrigerator contents. I cheated occassionally, and it seemed to be working fine. This weekend I almost quit. I have been obsessing over the scale like never before and I actually gained a pound this last week. Nevermind the fact that I cheated several days this week and thought it was just part of the process. SO, we put the scale away. We'll bring it back in a couple weeks, because I need to keep tabs on my weight because of my heart condition. Regardless, my success to this point has been marginal.
A few minutes ago, I had all but decided to quit. This isn't fun anymore. At first it was fun because I was eating new foods that I hadn't learned to enjoy before. Now it's becoming "normal" and it has lost it's newness. This is where I have quit every diet I have ever tried before. I will not live my life miserable, constantly craving what I cannot have. I mentioned to my wife that I was losing my "want to", and she simply asked me this question, "What would you tell someone who said the same thing to you on Friday nights?"
You see, I am the Assistant Director of an Addictions Program at my church and we meet at the church on Friday nights. My wife's question stung me. I got angry with her, but I didn't know why. I had left my copy of LDL at home (we also help with a children's program at church on Sunday nights) so I took a drive home to get the book and calm down. On that ride home, I realized that my wfie's question was completely appropriate. On that ride home, it struck me that just as a drug addict can have a "jones" for their drug of choice, I was having a "jones" for pizza. This wasn't the first time I had made that connection, but it was the first time that it "hit home".
We have a principle in our addictions program that says, "You cannot fight a fleshly appetite by indulging in it." I am never going to conquer my addiction to unhealthy foods by indulging in them, even a little. The physical cravings for my pizza can be fought with techniques provided by Roger in LDL and this wonderful community. The emotional struggles can be fought through our relationship with Jesus Christ and His Word. For example, the Bible says, "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13). I don't have all the answers. But, I do know that when I am done with this post I am going to pray for the strength I have been promised to get through. When I get home, I will be making some Pizza soup with whatever ingredients I have around the house to help kill the craving for Pizza. I may have started this thing thinking it would be fun, but from now on I will be treating it as what it really is... a spiritual battle for my health that will impact everyone I care about.
If you are reading this, and you too are struggling, please don't give up. Your health IS important. YOU are important. Use the techniques in LDL to fight the physical cravings. They work, even if I forget that sometimes. Fight the emotional issues with your faith. Christ will strengthen His children.
May God Richly Bless and Keep You!
P.S. A BIG thank you to my wife for loving me enough to tell me the truth!
My wife and I have been doing LDL for almost a month now. At first, I loved it. The first week I lost 12 lbs and I felt better than I have felt in a LONG time. My wife immediately joined me after about the first 3 days, and we spent WAY too much money at the grocery store rolling over our cupboards and refrigerator contents. I cheated occassionally, and it seemed to be working fine. This weekend I almost quit. I have been obsessing over the scale like never before and I actually gained a pound this last week. Nevermind the fact that I cheated several days this week and thought it was just part of the process. SO, we put the scale away. We'll bring it back in a couple weeks, because I need to keep tabs on my weight because of my heart condition. Regardless, my success to this point has been marginal.
A few minutes ago, I had all but decided to quit. This isn't fun anymore. At first it was fun because I was eating new foods that I hadn't learned to enjoy before. Now it's becoming "normal" and it has lost it's newness. This is where I have quit every diet I have ever tried before. I will not live my life miserable, constantly craving what I cannot have. I mentioned to my wife that I was losing my "want to", and she simply asked me this question, "What would you tell someone who said the same thing to you on Friday nights?"
You see, I am the Assistant Director of an Addictions Program at my church and we meet at the church on Friday nights. My wife's question stung me. I got angry with her, but I didn't know why. I had left my copy of LDL at home (we also help with a children's program at church on Sunday nights) so I took a drive home to get the book and calm down. On that ride home, I realized that my wfie's question was completely appropriate. On that ride home, it struck me that just as a drug addict can have a "jones" for their drug of choice, I was having a "jones" for pizza. This wasn't the first time I had made that connection, but it was the first time that it "hit home".
We have a principle in our addictions program that says, "You cannot fight a fleshly appetite by indulging in it." I am never going to conquer my addiction to unhealthy foods by indulging in them, even a little. The physical cravings for my pizza can be fought with techniques provided by Roger in LDL and this wonderful community. The emotional struggles can be fought through our relationship with Jesus Christ and His Word. For example, the Bible says, "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13). I don't have all the answers. But, I do know that when I am done with this post I am going to pray for the strength I have been promised to get through. When I get home, I will be making some Pizza soup with whatever ingredients I have around the house to help kill the craving for Pizza. I may have started this thing thinking it would be fun, but from now on I will be treating it as what it really is... a spiritual battle for my health that will impact everyone I care about.
If you are reading this, and you too are struggling, please don't give up. Your health IS important. YOU are important. Use the techniques in LDL to fight the physical cravings. They work, even if I forget that sometimes. Fight the emotional issues with your faith. Christ will strengthen His children.
May God Richly Bless and Keep You!
P.S. A BIG thank you to my wife for loving me enough to tell me the truth!
