Have you ever felt trapped in a negative cycle that you can’t escape?
I received a public reader question after she read my article, Your Body: God’s Dwelling Place.
Below was her question:
QUESTION: ”The self image, food, diets, workout and viscous cycle never stops, it’s been a lifelong addiction, how can it stop and I truly find peace and healing?”
This is an EXCELLENT question! We can become trapped in negative cycles through 2 things:
- The Lies we Feed
- The Voice we Heed
The Bible says:
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
– Proverbs 4:23
Because life issues originate from the heart, then we need to start with the heart of the matter.
The Lies we Feed
If we are trapped in a negative cycle, then lies are at the heart of it.
Author Neil Anderson’s quote is insightful:
If I were to tempt you, you would know it. If I were to accuse you, you would know it. But if I were to deceive you, you wouldn’t know it. The power of Satan is in the lie. If you remove the lie you remove the power.”
The first place where a lie can reside is in your identity. Not your self-image, which is how you see yourself or a “golden image” you strive to maintain before others.
Your identity is your core, the real you that is separate from opinions.
Your behavior will always line up with the PERSON that you believe you are.
If you are in Christ, then you are a new creation in Him. You can root out the enemy’s lies through establishing your new identity on the truth every day.
If you want to know more about establishing a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, then you can learn more here.
The enemy wants to persuade you that your life is one of futility, that nothing you do makes any difference.
But that is a lie!
The Lord does not create anything without a purpose; your life is not one of futility, but utility!
With that in mind, then you recognize that each day matters.
You focus on your better future in the Lord, not past mistakes.
The Voice you Heed
As a child of God, you are beloved to Jesus – deeply loved, highly favored just as you are!
You hear His voice and follow Him, relying on His wisdom and strength each day.
You begin to take care of yourself and see that you are worthy of love right where you are.
Your body becomes precious not because of how it looks, but whom it contains. Your body is God’s temple.
The inward heart and mind change begins to work itself outwardly. That is the only way changes will last.
If you are trapped in a cycle, then you also have mental programming that is powering that cycle.
I love this quote I heard once: “Nothing is different until you think differently.”
Once you believe who you are and why you are here, then you recognize that the power within you is greater and can overcome anything outside of you!
The value of the Take Back Your Temple Christian Weight Loss Community is that you will learn how to think differently and how to win the Spiritual and mental battle that often causes inconsistency and pull us off-track on our weight loss journey.
Plus, you’ll join a community of like-minded Christians discovering how to release weight and keep it off.
Click here to learn more about becoming a member of the Take Back Your Temple Community.
Be Blessed with health, healing, and wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the Take Back Your Temple program
Yes, we need to think differently if we are to leave the past truly behind us. We must set boundaries with others and ourselves in order to do what we really need in order to get the peace of mind we deserve.
You are so right, Michele – The main thing is to ENFORCE the peace Jesus left us: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).” Worldly distractions and cares can take away our peace. Jesus said “Let not…” which means that is within our control. The work is meditating on God’s word more than the news, our worries, or fears – which I admit can be challenging. But the Bible says renewing our minds transforms us so it is work worth doing 🙂
Love the saying, “Nothing is different until you think differently.” I keep telling myself I am ready to eat the way I should, but then I still find myself eating too much of the wrong thing. I know I have to be patient with myself and not listen to Satan’s lies
That is it, Pat! One thing that helps is to recognize if you have put stumbling blocks in your environment that make it easy to fall. If you are reluctant to remove the stumbling block, then ask the Lord in prayer what you are afraid of and give you courage to face that fear – make your path straight. As the word says, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12).” So if a food is hijacking your brain, then it’s up to you about whether you want to continue to fight those food fights or channel your energy into activities that are more helpful .❤.
Such a good message, and it confirms that I’m on the right track!
Thank you Kimberly
Wonderful, Vickie – I love it when the Lord confirms His word!
Another amazing answer love it continuing on my journey Kim. Thank and God bless.
All praise to our Father, Beverly!
God is so merciful and will always send a word to renew your mind so powerful I have to read it again‼️
Wonderful, Nikeita – the more you read, meditate, and apply God’s word, the more it becomes part of who you are, which is what we all want!
Thank you for this wonderful article. I told my younger sister about TBYT and she didn’t seem interested as she is already involved in intermittent fasting and has lost about 40 pounds. I will not try that as I am on insulin. I told her that so she would leave me alone about it. Anyway, your articles are always so spot on and filled with God’s truth. Thank you so very much.
You are welcome, Gladys – God is good!
Perfect for me right now as I caught myself this morning rummaging through the Internet “again” looking for diet programs after I’ve already tried them all! I do need to think differently. Thank you for always having perfect timing for us.
Thanks Nancy – that is the Holy Spirit who lives inside of you and me. He is the best teacher and is always patient with us. The more we listen and heed Him, the better off we are 🙂
Great Article!
Thanks Joyce – I pray you are doing well!
Amen!