The JOY in Making Wise Choices for Family

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Have you ever come in from a long day of work only to grab the first food in your pantry you laid your eyes on? There went all your plans to eat healthy tonight. But you were so hungry. This had become a pattern week after week. This was definitely not the pattern I wanted to instill in my children. 

My weight was out of control and my unhealthy lifestyle of eating was effecting my health. I referred to myself as the walking pharmacy  ~

I was taking something to lower cholesterol 
Lower my blood pressure, 
Control joint pain in my knees
Oh and of course, there was insomnia

Everything was happening inside me, but no one could tell on the outside. 

My choices were out of control.

At a doctor’s appointment, my doctor said, “Mrs. McCullough, you keep this up, you won’t be around to see your children grow up.”  I gasp in disbelief, 

“What?” He further explained that my eating and emotional state was going to continue to affect my health if I didn’t change something in my life. 

Then he said, “Don’t you want to be around for your family?”

FAMILY 

“Yes, I love my family!” And I would do whatever was necessary to control the flesh and get myself healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

The temptation to fill the void with food had to be replaced.

I had an epiphany and promised I would make a change in my lifestyle and not be controlled by emotions.

I wanted to be around to watch my children become adults and I would take steps to make it a reality. 

I saw a nutritionist and started walking, implemented meal planning and slowly the weight began to come off.

The void that the food was filling had to be replaced with reading God’s Word and being led by the Holy Spirit; not LaVonda’s emotions. 

Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of His mouth. 

Every time I was sad, happy, disappointed, angry, lonely, depressed ~ there came the temptation of food. 

REFUSE TO ALLOW EMOTIONS TO CONTROL YOU

Jesus wasn’t controlled by His emotions when He was tempted.

The Spirit led Jesus away to a quiet place where He was tempted (tested) by the enemy. He had fasted and prayed for 40 days so we know He was tired and hungry. The enemy will come at us full force when we may be tired or not “really” focused. Three times the enemy tried to dissuade Christ to do something that was not in the will of the Father.

First, it was with turning stones to bread – Physical Need – 

Jesus quoted the Word “It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Matt 4: 4) God’s word is true and we can hold to that daily. When we’re tempted, and feel vulnerable physically or emotionally (lonely, weighing big decisions, tired). When our flesh tries to take over with thoughts to justify fornication or adultery and promiscuous acts, we need to use God’s word which has power.

Second, it was Possessions and Power

Jesus was at the pinnacle of the temple and Satan told Him to throw Himself down, if you are the son of God. Once again, Jesus quoted the word, “It is written, He shall give His angels charge over you and in their hands, they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”  (Vs. 9) 

 Sometimes our associates and friends will present convincing reasons why we should do something contrary to the Word of God. They may even have scripture references to sway our decisions.  Study the Bible carefully for yourself, so you know the Word and understand God’s principles for what He is doing in your life.  Sometimes people take verses out of context and twist them to say what they want them to say.  Even Satan tried to use scripture against Jesus. When we hide God’s word in our hearts it acts as a guard to our hearts and The Holy Spirit can speak to us directly, confirming these things are not of Him.

Finally, Satan tried to tempt Jesus with Pride by saying, “All these things I will give You if You fall down and worship me.”  

Again, Jesus used the Word “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.” Satan offered the whole world to Jesus if He would bow down, and worship him. 

Today the devil does the same to us with enticing materialism and power. We can resist the same way Jesus did and STAND FIRM on God’s Word and say IT IS WRITTEN…

If you find yourself craving something that the world offers quote the Word as Jesus did and tell the devil; “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”

Sometimes we want something so badly that we yield to the temptation instead of  STANDING FIRM. 

 God’s timing is best in all situations… Waiting builds the faith that we need to be even greater conquerors in Christ.

And it is in this waiting that He reveals His purpose and will for our lives.

I continued to fight the temptation to fill the void with FOOD and made better choices to become healthy physically, mentally and spiritually.  

It was during this time struggle and sacrifice that I learned the importance of Renewing my Mind and having the MIND of CHRIST. 

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Remain FOCUSED and don’t allow the enemy to get you off track from passing the test and fulfilling your destiny!