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  • Helplessness

    Posted on May 17th, 2012 rhonda No comments

     “In your anger do not sin. 

    Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

    and do not give the devil a foothold.”

    Ephesians 4:26-27

    My word of wisdom for today is helplessness.

    I am not used to hearing women talk about being angry and wanting revenge, but women in my program do. One woman shared her former desire to get revenge.  She never did anything beyond just having fantasies about how she’d like to get even.  She realized she had to let it go in order to get out of her food addiction.

    Another person said that being angry is the sure way to gain weight.  I have often let the sun go down on my anger; and the resulting sin is my nighttime gluttony.  When I think of Ephesians 4, I’ve always thought the sin was a sin committed against someone else.  Now I realize that the sin I’m committing is against myself.  Some people cut themselves.  I eat.  I sin.  Hope and addiction do not go together.  When I eat, I’m admitting hopelessness.

    Hope and addiction do not go together; but helplessness and a higher power (Jesus Christ) do go together.   Once I realize I’m helpless, I can let God do the work.  I’m supposed to meditate on God and His Word all day.  Instead, I sometimes dwell on other people, which is idol-worship.  Going to meetings refocuses me on God.

     

     

     

    5 responses to “Helplessness” RSS icon

    • Hi Rhonda! I’ve just started a blog here — was looking around — and found your blog. Do I understand you right in saying that you suffer from an addiction to food. I can identify with you. Although, sometimes I have my aversion to food under control, there are days when I definitely struggle. When I here you talk of a “Higher Power (Jesus Christ!), that is an Alcoholic’s Anonymous term. Do you also have experience in that area, or do you go to a support group that is food oriented? I also ask this, because my 21-year-old son suffers from acohhol and drug addiction, is now in rehab, and goes to multiple meetings per week. Your post resonated with me on several levels. Thanks for your thoughts. God bless you!! KK

      • Rhonda – I met to tell you — My blog is entitled “Rescued By Grace.” You can find it in the blog register under “Discover other Christian Blogs.” Happy Day! KK

      • Hi KJK,

        Someone suggested that I go to an OA mtg, so I did. (I wrote about it in yesterday’s blog, “Recognition”.) I have struggled w/obesity my whole life. I’m just coming to terms w/the idea of my being a compulsive overeater. It’s a 12-step group, and all of the groups stand on AA’s foundation. I’m not a member of AA, but from what I now know about these 12 step groups, would recommend any of them to anyone. I’ll keep you & your son in prayer.

        • Thank you for the prayers. I am familiar with the 12 steps of AA and see that they are very applicable to any addiction. I was overweight at one point, but have lost much of it. I do, however, still have the addictive tendencies at times. Such a struggle! With alcohol and drugs, a person can completely abstain. But a food addiction is not that simple (not that any of it is simple!). We still have to eat to survive. It is a real practice in relying on God to give the strength and self-control we need. I tell my son, “If you cannot do anything else, just do the NEXT right thing.” Sometimes that’s as far as we can see and handle. You are not alone in your struggle — and I know it is a very tough one. I’ll pray for God’s wisdom, strength, self-control, and perseverance for you. In it all, He loves and delights in you! Blessings — KK

    • Rhonda,
      Thanks for your insight about anger directed towards ourselves being a sin and applying the command to let it go and not let the sun go down on this sin. Because the alternative is to be enslaved to an addiction. Powerful.
      Grace


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