Guest Post: By Dana Remisovsky
Struggling with emotional eating for decades felt like a battle I would never win. Trying one diet (and experiencing defeat) time and again left me feeling pretty hopeless, and for a while, I would quit attempting to lose weight. Why would I waste my time doing something that would fail anyway? I would pray for God’s help, but my prayers seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Over a year ago, I finally started spending consistent, daily time with God. (I’ve been a Christian for 30 years but had never made this a priority.) These abiding times have been a game changer for me. One way this decision has dramatically changed my life is that I’m now free from severe depression that I’ve suffered with for over thirty years. My experience with depression included many suicidal thoughts, cutting, counseling, and prescription anti-depressants. Praise God that He has become my Therapist and Healer. (Jesus is the Great Physician after all.)
The other way the daily devotional time with God has affected my life is that I have been set free from emotional eating. I mentioned about the depression I dealt with because my emotions and food consumption went hand in hand for years. When I was depressed, sad, upset, discouraged, frustrated, angry, and even happy, I ate. I could always count on food to make me feel better or to help me celebrate. Unfortunately, these “highs” only lasted temporarily. Now God is the One who brings me comfort, joy, peace, and friendship. And I am eternally grateful.
Several months after I had begun these daily times with God, I realized that I was not going to food to cope with my problems because I was getting these needs met by God. I couldn’t contain my excitement! I was free! I expected the weight to fall off, but that’s not what happened. I was confused until I realized that I had forty years of unhealthy eating habits to address. Dealing with these habits have been more of a struggle than I had expected it to be. I would experience additional weight loss attempts and failures. But I realized that I was trying to overcome this food struggle in my strength alone, and that was not going to work. I needed the help of the One who delivered me from the bondage of emotional eating, and He was definitely up for the task.
I began asking God for wisdom concerning my eating habits. What did I need to remove from or add to my diet? What about exercise? What were the changes that I could live with long-term? Whatever the answers were to these questions, I knew that I was well able to be successful; with His help that is. For the past few weeks, God has given me ideas to implement healthy lifestyle choices, and to enjoy the journey as well. I can honestly say that I am feeling better physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Whatever we are battling with, God is always there to gently guide us in the right direction. I’m just sorry it took me forty years to figure this out. Please be encouraged today that you are not alone and do not have to bear the weight of a struggle on your own. Hopefully, there is someone in your life who will support and uplift you as you move along through your journey; but if you don’t God is there ready, willing, and able to help.
Isaiah 41:10 states, “So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” So, if you are struggling today, I encourage you to reach out, but more importantly to reach up.
Dana Remisovsky is a Jesus lover, encourager, author, and blogger. She desires to offer hope and support to others who struggle with emotional eating. Please check out the blog she posts every Monday on her website www.hopelesslydevotedtofood.com.
