R U Stressed?

I’ve been under a tremendous amount of stress over the last couple of weeks. So you can imagine how my eating habits have deteriorated. I can see the old selfish me going to food for comfort instead of God. How sad...my head is telling me no, don’t do it but my heart tells me, its ok you’ve had a very bad day eat that extra piece of pizza, no one cares. It’s a good thing that God does and he allows me second chances.

As I wrote in my last blog we have 2 different kinds of stress in our lives ones that we create and ones that are beyond our control. I have both...I’ve asked God, why is he allowing this to happen? A good friend of mine said to me “Why not you?” God did not promise me a free ticket to happiness when I choose to follow him, he said:

33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)

So I need to ask this question “What is God trying to teach me?” There are areas in our lives which are not in line with God’s will. So I hope you forgive me as I talk about them because they do directly affect our emotional eating. I’m going to take a deep breath and put them out there for you.

1. Our marriages

2. Our families

3. Our finances

4. Our weight

As you can imagine all of these affect ones emotional well being. If we don’t address these issues our lives will continue to spiral out of control until we crash and burn.

I know your probably asking how all these things can be worked on at one time. I don’t know but we have to try. I have a very good friend who keeps telling me I have to get my priorities in order.

1. God first

2. Husband second

3. Family third

4. Ministry fourth

5. The rest will fall into place

Sounds simple right. It’s not! For a very long time I had everything backwards so the result are spoiled kids, an unhappy husband and a financial burden. So you can see where this is self inflicted stress. How can I turn everything around? It won’t be easy as a matter of fact this will be the hardest thing I will ever attempt. I believe the only way I can accomplish such a daunting task is with God’s help.

Step one: God first...make sure I have a quiet time which includes prayer and devotion.
Step two: Make my husband happy. Sigh, this will be a hard one since I can’t change him I have to change myself. I’m going to start with the Love and Respect book.
Step three: Put my foot down and don’t let my kids walk all over me.
Steps four and five: This will work out when the 1st three are where they should be.

I know I’m in a valley right now and this mountain I’m trying to climb will be tough. So I’ll have to cling to my God for peace, comfort and guidance...

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]

I will fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Blessings