Thursday, August 15, 2013

Radical Obedience

Addicted - Physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects; enthusiastically devoted to a particular thing or activity.  

This week in our online Bible study, we were asked, "Is there something God is asking you to give up?  What specific steps do you need to take to fulfill this obedience?"  

While it feels and seems silly to me, I struggle immensely with sugar.  Sweet, delicious, wonderful sugar.  What is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable treat is something I am truly addicted to. As I tend to eat quite a bit of sugar on a regular basis, I do feel physically and mentally dependent on it.  If it has been a few hours since consuming some sugar, I "crash" and feel irritable and jittery.  This in turn makes me want more sugary substances, and I become consumed with acquiring it.  Examples: 

  • Cookies brought to our office by a patient - My focus on the tasks at hand becomes disrupted as my brain shifts to an immense desire to go eat the cookies.  Sadly, the desire is not to just have one, but all of them - even at the expense of not leaving any for others.  
  • Spending time with friends and family - Many people enjoy having treats around their home, as they have some level of self-control.  When I go to visit, if I detect any sweets, my focus shifts from enjoying the company to getting some (ok, all!) of treats.  After I eat all the treats, I am miserable and feel both mentally and physically ill, and my focus is still not on the great company!  
Instead of appreciating the kindness of a patient, enjoying time with friends and family, or enjoying any other experiences, I lose out on this precious time because I am consumed with filling my body with a chemical that is destructive.  I am also not being obedient to what God is asking me to do, as when I do not feel well I do not serve Him well.  

The worst part, however is that this is a sin - gluttony.      

All throughout grad school, we were taught all the negative effects processed sugars have on the body:  

And yet I continue to consume this horrible substance in mass quantities.  We also learned the physiology behind the effects of sugar and negative effects:  

This chart reminds me of a chart of anything that can become an idol (defined by Priscilla Shirer as anything in the visible, created realm that begins to operate in a role that should be reserved for God) in our lives.  We start with something in this world that gives us pleasure and happiness due to increased serotonin and endorphins.  When we are without it for an amount of time, we begin to go through withdrawals.  In order to combat the withdrawals, we seek out more of it to give ourselves that sense of satisfaction again.  We may call them obsessions or bad habits; however, they are still idols!  For me, sugary treats give me comfort and pleasure when I am stressed or lonely.   Unfortunately, God should be the One we turn to when we are stressed, lonely, or struggling with temptation.  

I have no doubt that giving up sugar is something God wants me to do for my health and for my happiness. While He may not require I give it up forever, I know He does want me to give it up for a season.  I have felt this urging in my heart for a long time now, but while reading "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God" I realized it is something I must do NOW, if I want to truly be obedient to Him!  In order to become obedient, I have several "steps" I am taking:  
  • Surrounding myself with scripture - This is the best tool EVER!  Some scriptures I have committed to memory and have posted all around my apartment and at the office include: 
    • 1 Thessalonians 4:4 - "Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is so common among those who know nothing of God." (MSG)  
    • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit?  Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for?  The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you.  God owns the whole works.  So let people see God in and through your body."  (MSG)  
    • Here are some other great self-control scriptures!  
  • Prayer - Praying for help and strength is crucial to any success in life.  I have let God know I am ready for this mission, and will seek Him constantly for strength. 
  • Friends and family - I have let them know of my goals and my mission, and I am so blessed that they are more than happy to help! 
  • Food - I am only keeping healthy foods in my apartment, and I have enlisted the help of my mom to go to the grocery store with me so I am not tempted to purchase sugary treats.   
  • Practicing mindful eating - Taking the time to thank the Lord for the good food he has blessed me with, and slowing down to truly enjoy what I am eating.  
  • Sleep - I know adequate sleep is essential to feeling my best so I have the strength to make good choices.  When I want to stay up late, I must remember my commitment to obedience and hit the hay!  
  • Exercise - Raising the endorphins without sugar!  When I exercise, I feel better, and less prone to eating sugar.  
  • List of health benefits - I have a list (via Evernote, this is a great app that keeps me super organized, and you can access it via phone, computer, or tablet) that I reference when I am feeling a craving coming on.  It is a list of the benefits of not eating sugar - strengthened immunity, better skin, more energy, hormonal balance, etc.  
I truly hope I can combat this demon, and give all the glory to God.  I know through His strength and help, I can do anything!  :)  I pray you have strength in whatever struggles you are facing too!  Thank you for reading about my "silly" addiction, and God bless!!!  :)  

15 comments:

  1. Girl.. we have to be distant sisters...

    You are speaking to my 'trying to be healthy' heart here! I need to give up sugar so badly myself. I'm such a 'natural' living person - I feel like food is thy medicine - so sound all Hippocrates on you! :) I have this same call on me to give up sugar & processed foods... I've done good with processed foods - but sugar? Yep - its a slow process.

    I love the steps you are taking... I'm going to take note & apply some of these to my life...

    Good for you to saying YES to God in this step! He wants the best for you & your body!!!

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    1. Oh my I knew we were kindred spirits!!! My grad school was very much about health and wellness oriented, so food IS medicine and all natural IS best! :)

      I would love to work on the processed foods bit after the sugar, as that would be another huge step in my wellness!!!

      Thank you for reading! :)

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  2. Addictions sure do come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Just don't think a lot of folks relate some of their "habits" as addictions and sometimes when one lets go of one habit, they move onto to the next. Awesome post. Thanks for sharing and have yourself a blessed day.

    Trish
    FB small group leader-P31

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    1. That is very true! I see that all the time in myself and in others, and this time I need to make sure I replace it with a God habit! :)

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  3. I have the same addiction. God is asking me too to give up sugar and focus on healthy eating. I will be praying for you!

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    1. I will be praying for you as well, it is so difficult! Sometimes I think "well there could be worse addictions," and there can be, but an addiction is an addiction and it's tough to beat! God bless :)

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  4. I have such a sweet tooth myself and it took a lot of prayer for me to not indulge in treats during a Christmas part at church. Take heart, the spirit will give you strength. Meantime, it may be worth exploring through prayer why you have the urge to eat all the treats instead of just one or two. I have similar problem in which all it takes is one bite and I'm hooked. It definitely took me some time to get used to just having one serving of something sweet. May God bless you on this journey!

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    1. Christmas parties are one of the hardest! Yes, one of the times of year when we should be closest to Jesus is one where I tend to drift far away, pulled by my earthly wants! I love the idea of exploring WHY I have the urge; that could really help me understand it and get past it. I am glad to hear that you have self-control, and that there is hope for me! Thank you so much!!!

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  5. I am scrolling through all the blogs that other OBS sisters have submitted and I picked yours to read because it had a doughnut picture!!! LOL What's that tell ya about me?! Oh I love food and sweet sugary delicacies! Food has always been where I turn to and not only for comfort but I could have an amazing day and use food as an excuse to celebrate. God has been on me about it and I know that it is an idol in my life. I confess and admit. I am now surrendering to Him with it. I dislike exercise but I drag myself to it out of obedience to Him. He is the only reason! I have faith sisters that when we commit this to God we will be successful!!

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    1. Haha I can't lie, I was salivating as I posted it - but I must stay strong!!! Yes, food is definately something for comfort and for celebration that I turn to! Exercise is so important too, and I often forget that not exercising (taking care of this temple of God) is disobidience. Thank you, we will be successful!!! :)

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  6. I have the same addiction and the same radical obedience to give up sugar (funny, my blog post was on the same subject!). I'm learning from your tools too, thanks for letting me know that I'm not the only one. Blessings to you!

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    1. I loved your blog post!!! If (ok, when) I eat sugar again, I will dust it off my lips and get back up! :)

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  7. Right there with you. We just this week found out that our daughter is advanced (testing a year and half ahead) and we have to really do good on going on a all natural diet, meaning NO sugar! Radical in more ways than one. Following you from the blog hop. Hope you can come follow me as well! coloradoblessedmom.blogspot.com

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    1. All natural is so good for you, but so much easier said than done! Praying you all can convert easily :) God bless!

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    2. I do like your blog, praying for blessings on the new homeschooling adventure! It sounds like it will be a great thing for your daugther. I was homeschooled for awhile as a kid and it was awesome :)

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