What is the difference between the Kingdom of God mindset versus the addiction mindset? This is a must-read for anyone struggling with addictive habits.
I would love to hear your thoughts about this:
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The Addiction Mindset
The Addiction (worldly) mindset says that happiness is out there (in the addictive substance, perfect body, riches, material goods, marriage, fame, power, entertainment, etc.).
The addictive belief is: “If only I had_______THEN I would be happy.”
What continues people in the path of addiction is:
• Self-judgment/Self-criticism
• Unforgiveness
• Belief that they have done unforgivable things
• Shame
• Guilt
• Fear (that they will be left without comfort or can’t handle life without the addiction in it)
People run to the addiction for comfort or to numb themselves from painful/dark feelings (which the enemy “feeds”) rather than run to the light of the Lord’s love, comfort, forgiveness, and healing.
Let’s contrast that with the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God
Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is within (see Luke 17:21). Romans 14:17 defines God’s Kingdom: “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
• Righteousness: Identity rooted in Jesus’ love (the Hope of glory), filled with the Holy Spirit, truth, wisdom, and strength. Knowing you are forgiven and justified in God’s sight through the blood of Jesus.
• Peace: Wise decisions meet wise actions – aka integrity, wholeness. The Holy Spirit guides and strengthens you every day. Love is the motivator for change, not guilt and condemnation.
• Joy: Practicing the Lord’s presence in your present situation, whatever it may be
Healing from the Addiction Mindset
The following process is required to heal from the addictive mindset, especially relevant with sugar addiction:
- Belief that you can change with God’s help
- Eating foods that heal the brain and body (see Healthy Weight Loss God’s Way course in the Take Back Your Temple program)
- Going to the Lord when you need comfort
- Reminding yourself that you are accepted in the Beloved and forgiven if the enemy tries to drag you back to the past
- Patience as you re-train your brain to respond to triggers in healthier ways
- People who will love and support you on your healing journey.
Please comment and let me know if any of this resonates with you.
Be Blessed with Health, Healing, and Wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor
Author/Christian Life Coach of the Take Back Your Temple Weight Loss Community
P.S. Do you struggle with overeating sugar? If so, you are not alone!
Overcoming sugar addiction was a key factor on my weight loss journey; I lost 85 pounds and dropped from a size 22 to an 8.
In our 14-day Sugar Detox Challenge online course (inside the Take Back Your Temple Community), you’ll get the same success strategies and support to gain peace in your eating habits and achieve lasting weight loss.
Click here to learn more about the Take Back Your Temple Christian Weight Loss Community.
You response was very helpful. It made sense to me why I was eating.
Thank you for the 4 things to do to take back your hijacked brain. I’m playing praise music now! I’ll dance next. Thank you for your direction and kindness.
I think shame is involved too. I cried out to the Lord this am to accept His forgiveness. I fear the consequences of my sin. I am paralyzed with fear of the punishment. I tried to study and read about this in the Bible.
I want to know how long the punishment will last for my past sins. I have confessed them; I have stopped that behavior. I fear the consequences. I want God to tell me what the consequences are for my past sin. I’m willing to pay it; I don’t know what the natural consequences are for what I did. The fear of not knowing causes me anxiety. If He would just tell me like he said to Moses ; you will never see the promised land. I could move forward. I think instead I have punished myself for years.
I understand I am forgiven but some sin there is natural
Consequences too. How do I know what hose are Kim? Am I destined to be 60-70 pounds over weight? Is that the punishment? Loss of the ability to be disciplined? I was never more than 15 pounds overweight most of
my life. What if being obese is the natural consequences of my sin?
I can not find clarity.
Hi Tanya – You must understand that you are FORGIVEN of ALL sin as a believer in Jesus Christ. I recommend reading this resource: https://www.everystudent.com/features/know-God.html
Sister, what you are saying by continuing to punish yourself for past sins is that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was not enough. That is a lie straight from the pit of hell! It is a lie designed to keep you in fear, which is the enemy’s main way of keeping Christian’s under his feet. But we are not meant to live under his feet. He is meant to live under our feet through our faith in Jesus! Here is how to recognize God’s voice vs. the enemy’s voice: https://takebackyourtemple.com/do-you-have-spiritual-caller-id/
Jesus suffered on the cross so that those who believe in Him can move forward in newness of life. God’s Holy Spirit came to live within us and gives us power to do what we cannot do on our own. Here is what I mean: https://takebackyourtemple.com/power-to-do-the-right-thing/
My prayer is that the Lord help you to live in THANKSGIVING for what Jesus has done for you and trust in Him all the days of your life. He never leaves you nor forsakes you, so know that fear and condemnation is not coming from Him.
You mentioned eating to numb the pain. I talked with a lady recently who said she ate to feel something. It made her feel alive. Like she was dead to her feelings a food provided excitement. I had never heard that. I do know my husband’s addiction to food is like a love affair. He seems to have an emotional high and get excited about how good or the thought of food ; the anticipation of eating it makes him feel.
I started eating to get some instant gratification and avoid feelings of pain. It is now a habit. Discipline is second to the desire to eat. It is like I have a groove in my brain now to eat late at night.
Hi Tanya – I appreciate your feedback. Yes, the biggest driver of change in our brain is our behavior. God’s word says that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (see Romans 14:17). See the Bible says that change is possible and even how it is possible. Then the question becomes, “Are we willing to do the work of renewing your mind?”
As the old saying goes, “Nothing changes if nothing changes.” So if you are content with your current habits, that is your right as an adult. However, if you desire to change then you can through God’s word within you. He empowers us to do what we can’t on our own.
I can definitely identify with this. I seem to want to eat all day long, even when I’m not hungry. No matter how many times I say I’m not going to, I find myself looking for food to eat.
Hi Wilma – I appreciate your comments! It sounds like you are suffering from a hijacked brain. The following article may give you some insight about that, especially if you are living a stressful life: Stop Overeating: The Hidden Reason We Overeat