I know, I know the saying from the title is supposed to be about a horse. But I like horses and I don’t snakes. The end.
And I know you are probably over me talking about the whole no sugar thing, but hang with me. Maybe something about today’s post will strike some kind of applicable chord with you.
So, I spoke at a Pregnancy Care dinner last night and heard the most amazing song. Most of the lyrics were simply, “I love you Jesus, I love you Jesus.”
I was captivated by the song and felt it resonating in the deepest part of my soul.
The only thing distracting me at that moment was the most delicious looking dessert I’ve ever wanted. It was singing the 80′s Human League hit, “Don’t you want me baby? Don’t you want me ohhhhhhhhhh?”
That’s the problem with 80′s music. It was so good, it comes back to you at the most unexpected times and gets stuck like dryer lint in the filter of your mind.
So while my soul was connecting with the praise song, my tastebuds were singing a dedicated tune to the chocolate dessert in front of me, “Yes, I want you baby. Yes, I want you ohhhhhhhh.”
It was a battle y’all.
Isn’t that the way all temptations are? Our souls sing of our love of Jesus while our flesh seeks to throw us off key by wanting something less. So much less.
And oh the rationalizations, they do come in a flood. “Just one bite… just one. Who cares? Who will even know? One bite won’t throw off your whole diet. Really, it’s healthy to have one bite so that you don’t completely deprive yourself which will cause you to want it more. If you just have one bite you’ll be satisfied and all that craving will go away. See, you really should have just one bite.”
But I know what will happen if I give in.
One bite will lead to two. Then suddenly three doesn’t look so bad. And now you’ve eaten so much you might as well go ahead and finish it off. It’s just one piece.
Then I think about this rationalization process with my teenage son. I don’t even want him to flirt with the idea of drugs or sex or driving way too fast. I don’t even want him to put one toe on this path of rationalization.
So, why should I?
I pushed the plate of chocolate temptation away. I turned my face fully to the front of the room so that I couldn’t even see that dessert at all. I lifted up my soul to the Jesus song. And I let His truth have its full way within me.
Then I woke up this morning smiling.
One battle down.
One victory at a time.
Friday, April 24
Wow. You just ruined my “just a bite.” Sigh.
Always love your insight.
Amen, Lysa! One battle down…one victory at a time! I am also battling the sugar beast. I am thankful that God cares about all aspects of my life. I’ve been praying that God will help food be a nourishment to my body and not a hindrance. I’ve asked Him to remind me that this body is His temple and therefore is to be respected and well-cared for. I’m fighting along with you one battle at a time. I’m also finding that the more I focus on Him and pray, the less I am craving those sugary foods. I try to remember that the enemy can use food to hinder my body, to make it sick or slothful, and therefore hinders me from being all I can be for God!
Thanks for the encouragement and honesty! God bless you!
One victory at a time, …amen and amen!
Lysa,
As you were talking about the song, I could not stop thinking about another one.
“SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY”.
Lysa,
Thank you for the reminder. I thought I was strong enough now after two victorious weeks. God's grace allowed me to turn down dessert so many times that I thought I had been delivered and I lost 3 pounds too. Then, an opened bag of M&M;'s enticed me…the next thing I remember is throwing the bag away. It is clear I cannot be trusted, yet. Thank you for inspiring me, through your humor, to get back on track and lighten up
Bravo, Lysa, Bravo!! Connect everything back to Jesus…Purely awesome!
Relating it to your son’s temptation… that’s hitting where it hurts.
Waking up and realizing that MY “little” food weaknesses and/or triumphs can be examples for my preteen daughter/teenage daughter/young adult sons in making the right choices concerning all the “big” temptations in their busy lives totally makes me view “self-control” in a new light. Thanks, Lysa!
I’m almosted stunned, unsure of exactly what to say, but the analogy of tempation of food to drugs/sex/driving…and the rationalizations that we make is so perfectly applied to things in my life, even just this morning. It’s not always what you say…a lot of them I’ve thought myself but it’s they way its worded that can bring such a different light to it or make it sink in so much more. Hearing that someone else thinks the same way or struggling the same – you realize it’s not just voices in your head!!
I grew up hearing “Ideas have truth or consequence”, but wasn’t until recently that I truly began to understand the meaning of that powerful statement.
Hope you have a wonderful sugar free day!!!
I really, REALLY enjoy your posts about this subject. Some people may think it’s silly to spiritualize weight loss, but I think it’s completely IMPORTANT to spiritualize it. Nothing can be done without the Lord.
Yep, our “little” decisions speak volumes to our kids. I’m so glad you pointed that out today, Lysa. Our consistent lives will speak softly into our kids’ lives for a long time, just as our inconsistencies will scream out to them. I needed that reminder.
Hi Lysa! Girlfriend, I can relate! The “Mexican, Cake, Ice Cream, Italian and York Peppermint Pattie” monster has been rearing its ugly head in my life, but God does deliver us one victory at a time! Praise Him! Thank you for that great reminder!
Of course I battle with food, but my main struggle right now is time. I always say yes. I WANT to do what I agree to, but there is only so much time in the day, and every “yes” is time that I will have to work into an already full schedule. Over the past few weeks I have felt disconnected slightly from God, hardly feeling his leading at all. Then I came across Habakkuk 2:20. It reminded me that being still and silent before the Lord is an act of worship, and I hadn’t been worshipping for awhile.
Just like your “one bite”, my yes’ can quickly add up and take my focus from God.
I definately found the application in your blog today.
Thank you for sharing this Lysa:) I think God is teaching you a lot through this season of dieting, and I’m enjoying seeing all that’s coming from it. God Bless You:)
You go girl! And you keep on going! Yeah for Lysa!
Is it will power or God’s power? Or, are they the same? Keep the blogs coming Lysa.
IBB
Lysa,
What an awesome way to think about giving up sugar. Small sacrifices really say so much to those around us. I gave us sugar for Lent and went crazy eating just about whatever I wanted the week after Easter. Knowing this was awful for me, I am now refraining from sugar 2-3 days a week. I have loved reading your blogs about your battles with sugar. It is great encouragement. Thank you for your honesty and great words of inspiration.
Blessings
Kortni
thank you for letting us see you fight this battle…and don’t apologize for talking about it. i know i needed to see this, yesterday, today. you are letting us witness how the victory is won–and it’s one decision at a time, taking each thought captive, bringing it all under submission, honoring Christ with your body. i am thanking God for your example.
I just read this and thought of your post today:
Psalm 18:35-36
“You give me your shield of victory, and Your right hand sustains me;
You stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.”
You’re right, you’re right, you’re right . . . Your example is a challenge to me right now, Lysa. I like how you openly say you can’t do this on your own. Wow, can we ever even begin to think we can “take care of” ourselves – wanting what we want – on our own? No way. I’ll admit, it’s scary for me to even think about asking God to help me with this because that means really doing it. Kelly
Ever since I heard you on “Women Inspired”, I’ve lived in Psalm 73:26. He is my portion. The strength of my heart! This post goes right along with that too. You can talk all you want about no sugar. We need to hear what you have to say.
Good for you for not giving in! And I loved that 80′s song…it comes on on a commercial and my 18 month old grandson chimes in with the Oh Oh Oh Oh right on tune!
Oh that 80′s song…yup. I want it. But then I remember Nancy Reagan. “just say no.” *grin*
Good work, Lysa!
You didn’t eat ANY of that chocolate cake? I’m way impressed!
Have a lovely sugar-free weekend,
Kate
My favorite part that totally convicted me..was when you tied in the part about not wanting your son to even ‘flirt’ with the edges of sin!
You go girl…cheering you on to live fully in the freedom of self-control that only comes from living fully in Him!
Like Nichole said above, I was totally convicted about the example I’m setting and the standards I’m expecting from my son.
Joining you one victory at a time,
Joy
I can relate to everything you’ve said on this subject.
(
anyway I met or indirectly met you through Lisa Chealey’s online Yes to God bible study so
I would like to talk (ask questions) to you more about the no sugar thing.
Today I thought I would try it then my boss bought us donuts at work. It’s been downhill from there
can I give you my email, then if you can email me so I can have yours unless you are email bogged down, that’s okay I understand.
I just really love your blog
It’s always inspiring
Thanks and God Bless
Jackie Roth
jsueroth@stewireless.com
Lysa,
I’m just like you with the food thing. I, too, like food more than the average person. I, too, am all or nothing when it comes to the sugar thing (I cannot do just one bite or just a small piece), and I, too, find it the spiritual and the physical disciplines all intertwined. When I am disciplined with food and exercise, I find I am equally disciplined in spiritual things. I cannot separate them.
I tell my kids that every time they make a “right” decision, it builds their “self control” muscles and makes it even easier to do the “right” thing the next time.
See, I cannot separate them.
Love you!
Sandy
Wow. That hurt. I rationalized along with you right up until the part where you compared it to one of your boy’s flirting with sin.
That is good. So this no sugar thing is really spiritual too. I gotta try this!
Amen Amen AMEN!!
Just one more time…AMEN!!
You are doing a great job Lysa! I tried not eating out for a month and it was so hard. I couldn’t believe how hard it was! There is a huge chapter with scripture in Beth Moore’s Praying God’s Word and I love to quote those verses over my food when I am trying to abstain from something!
There is a verse that has been sticking with me this year…one that, honestly, I need to think on more and more.
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. I am the Lord your God.” Numbers 15:41
My life wasn’t ransomed so that I could give Him a high-five and a “thanks” and then go on my merry way. He didn’t deliver me from, well….a LOT…so that I could choose some other god. And yet I know I have let food become a god in my life…an idol.
Keep challenging us, Lysa. Keep it up. I know this heart needs it.
Love to you,
K
Lysa,
You are ministering to and encouraging so many others with your “no sugar” posts. I am walking this same path right now after being a secret binge eater for several months. No one knew for a while because I also run every morning–even did it while training for three marathons. Finally, it began to all catch up. It is like you are speaking to my exacty situation as I check this daily. Thank you. You are a true blessing.
I definitely want to win this same battle. Lately I have been stressed out and have been giving into the temptation of food. Self-discipline and self-control,huh?
Woa, that was GOOD! Congratulations and thanks for the awesome post! You are so right on!!!
Sugar… thus the reason I have gained back all the weight I had worked so hard to loose last year! I struggled last night when I realized I had eaten more sweets in my day then good healthy food… then I come here and it all fits together. Thank you for this challenge to all of us to put away sugar (sin, temptation) and focus our eyes once again on Jesus and His great love for us.
Many blessings to you as you are trusting Him in ALL things!
AWESOME!! that is right one step always leads to another!!
For me personally, this is one of the best posts you have ever written. This pierced my heart.
Love you!
Lelia
You have such a great way with words. I love the analogies that you use – it makes everything make so much sense in a practical, life application way!
SWEEET, pardon the pun. Thanks for sharing your thought process regarding sin as well!
“One is too many because a thousand are never enough.” This has been the most meaningful statement I have read in my carb battle. The Lord is bringing me into a “spacious place” and I praise Him for that. May your walk be sweeter,as your plate becomes greener.
On common ground,
Margi
Lysa,
That’s so cool that you spoke at a Pregnancy Care Center. I wish I could have been there to hear what you had to say AND to hear the beautiful song. Blessings!
Lysa,
I am having challenges in several areas of my life right now…career, food choices, exercise, and finding God’s purpose and peace for my life. I know that God is with me and can feel His presence and provision. Please pray that I make courageous choices and stay disciplined and submitted throughout this process. Thank you for all the growth that’s occurred my life since I’ve read your books, ‘More than a Bible Study Girl’ and ‘Who Holds the Key to your Heart.’
Carol
hi lysa, i really enjoy reading your mail it’s really encouraging to me.please pray that i will become a proverb31 woman.
Lysa,
First I want to thank you so much for all that you do, especially this blog. It encourages and blesses me. Please keep me and my family in your prayers. I am struggling with some things with my ex husband, and children.I am making a courageous stand and its not always easy. But what is more important I want to be the woman for the Lord, that I know He wants me to be. Im just not sure what that is. Thank you again for all you do.
How many times have I convinced myself to eat (in moderation) what I want rather than ‘eating around the craving’. I have convinced myself that I eat less that way. One of many reasons why I am TWICE my ideal body weight.
Your comment about “Then I think about this rationalization process with my teenage son. I don’t even want him to flirt with the idea of drugs or sex or driving way too fast. I don’t even want him to put one toe on this path of rationalization” was a real eye opener. I have teenage girls and would not want them on this path. Thank you for the insight.
I would very much appreciate prayers, as I am really struggling to cut my body weight by 1/2!
Thank you.