"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Ephesians 3:17-18 (NIV 1984)

I was elated one day when the number on my scale dipped below the plateau weight I'd been stuck at for two weeks. I did a little happy dance and thought, "Finally, I'm making some real progress in this journey. It's going to be such a great day. I'm super motivated. Bring on the raw veggies. Nothing's gonna stop me now!"

Too bad things didn't stay that way. Life, like math, can be unpredictable. I'm no math whiz, but I do remember there being these things called polynomials. Polynomials are algebraic expressions that include real numbers and variables.

That's the way my food issues are—they contain real numbers and variables. I suspect yours do as well. And while we must pay attention to the real numbers by eating less and moving more, we would do well to consider the variables in our lives as well.

Variables are those daily triggers we didn't account for but will detour even the best of intentions. Triggers can be as large as the stab of loneliness from a broken relationship or the memory of a childhood trauma. Triggers can be as small as a discipline "chat" with a teen out past curfew or stumbling across fresh doughnuts in the office break room. They can prompt the thought, "Life will be better if I eat that."

Triggers have nothing to do with physical hunger or the need for legitimate nourishment. They are lies that we've thought so routinely they've become well-worn paths to careless eating. Life is not made better because we overindulge in an unhealthy choice.

The best thing we can do in these triggered moments is to pause. Pause and ask ourselves, "Do I want to eat this right now because I need nourishment or because I'm feeling empty emotionally or spiritually?"

If I need nourishment, I can choose a healthy option. If I'm just feeling empty, I must realize food can fill my stomach but never my soul.

The only way to negate an emotional eating trigger is to match it with truth. The truth is this: "I'm not physically hungry right now, but I need to be filled in another way."

The Bible tells us that we can be rooted in love, not emptiness; that we have power to choose truth; and that as we comprehend the love of Christ, we will be filled to the measure of all the fullness—not of that brownie—but of God (Ephesians 3:17-19). And here's the great thing about truth: it contains no variables! Truth is stable, secure and a surefire way to get me through the unpredictable moments of life.

Take time to pause and use God's truths to challenge your triggers. And, when you're truly physically hungry, that pause will give you the moment you need to choose a healthy snack. Then you will be truly full.
Dear Lord, please help me to battle each of my triggers today with truth. Your truth. Moment by moment. I understand that food can fill my stomach but never my soul. Only You can fill my soul and I am thankful for that. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

Related Resources:

Don't miss Lysa's NEW Made to Crave Devotional, 60 Days to Craving God, not Food. Expanding on the original Made to Crave, this book provides 60 new inspirational devotions for your weight-loss journey!

Consider doing Lysa's NEW 6-session Made to Crave Action Plan as a follow up to her New York Times bestselling Made to Crave book! This DVD series and Participant's Guide is based on extensive research of Dr. Ski Chilton who has identified the five best nutrition choices you can make. Each session is full of powerful teaching from Lysa, practical healthy living tips from Dr. Chilton and personal stories from others whose lives have been changed by Made to Crave!

Visit www.MadetoCrave.org for additional information, as well as fun, FREE and encouraging videos to help you overcome struggles and find lasting peace!

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:

Food can fill my stomach but never my soul.

This week I'll write down what triggers determine an unhealthy pattern with my eating habits. I'll pause and use God's truths to challenge my triggers. And, when I'm truly physically hungry, that pause will give me the moment I need to choose a healthy snack.

Power Verses:

James 1:3-4, "Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (NIV 1984)

John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
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