I've heard the question often: ''How do I get more self-control with my eating?'' I used to have a standard answer, but now I think differently.
Now, I strive to learn more about the specific situation in which the person thinks they need more self-control.
Most often, I discover they need WISDOM in that situation more than self-control!
Here is a common situation. Suppose you have chocolate chip cookies in your cabinet right now. You've always had issues with bingeing on chocolate chip cookies.
Now you are watching television and the cookies are calling to you: ''Come eat me, come eat me!''
After a few minutes of trying to resist, you get up, grab the cookies, and have yourself a private cookie binge.
Afterwards, you feel ashamed and guilty. You lament: ''Why don't I have more self-control?''
In this case, self-control is not the issue. Wisdom is.
Think about the previous statement: ''You've always had issues with bingeing on chocolate chip cookies.''
Since that's true, then ask yourself: Why were chocolate cookies in your cabinet in the first place?
By having the cookies in the cabinet, you made provisions for a binge. So it's no surprise that a binge happened.
It is no different than an alcoholic keeping a well-stocked liquor cabinet in her home!
If the alcoholic gets drunk, would you lecture them about their lack of self-control? No!
After all, history has already shown them that alcohol hijacks their brain. The question to confront is the reason why the liquor cabinet is in the home in the first place.
Consider the wisdom of Romans 13:13-14:
''Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.''
- Romans 13:13-14
So with eating issues, always think WISDOM first. It is unwise to make provisions to practice fleshly weaknesses.
We end up wasting valuable energy fighting battles that we don't need to fight.
It takes away from fulfilling our God-given purpose and enjoying our lives.
God makes us a promise regarding wisdom:
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
- James 1:5
If you keep stumbling in the same places over and over, then ask the Lord in prayer, ''Lord, please give me the wisdom I need in this situation to protect my health so I can do what You are calling me to do without hindrance.''
He will give it to you.
Wisdom is more valuable than rubies. Cloth yourself in wisdom because it never goes out of style!