Seeking His Righteousness (self-control and food)

Published by christi on February 21, 2019February 21, 2019

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well.                                                                                                                                                            Matthew 6:33

The men in my family have been participating in a six-week whole-person self-control challenge…for men only, but I have committed to the discipline of the no-simple-carbs eating plan, since I am the cook! I have done without sugar before, and don’t consume very much anyway, so I figured it would be no problem… While they were moaning about no Rice Krispie treats or energy drinks, I was smug.

Two-and-a-half weeks in, I found myself wrist-deep in a box of Coco Puffs that had been set aside for youth group snacks and squeezing into jeans that were loose two months ago – honest!

(It doesn’t really matter; I’m not officially doing the challenge, right? I just won’t eat it in front of them…I’ll hide it..)

Where was my self-control? What happened to seeking God’s kingdom first? Seems like the Cukoo-for-Coco Puffs bird had more power in my life than the Spirit of God.

Two days ago at my regularly scheduled (but not regularly kept) afternoon time with Jesus, I read, “God has given us food for nourishment… There is nothing wrong with enjoying God’s good gifts: it is being enslaved to them that is wrong.”

(Yeah, being enslaved – that would be bad, but I’m not enslaved!… Am I?…)

“Self-indulgence is an abuse of God’s gifts, which were created for our benefit.”

OW! That’s what this was: self-indulgence, slavery to sugar and late evening snacking…sin.…

“Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to pay the highest price to free us from the grip of sin.“

Whose kingdom am I seeking? And how is this going after His righteousness?

My only hope now is the One who has been my only hope all along: Jesus, the One who “suffered to save me from the sinful desires in my nature…I say no to excess and lack of control.” And “yes” to living for Him and His righteousness.

Nobody said this would be easy!  Feel free to share your struggles in the comments below, or message me. There is acceptance here.

Toward the kingdom!

Christi

P.S. Quotations in italics are from Behold His Love by M. Basilea Schlink. I can put you in contact with the publisher, if you are interested.