I asked my friend, Barb Raveling, a guest on The Homeschool Sanity Show today, to write a post for Psychowith6 readers. I know you’ll be blessed by her wisdom here and on the podcast. Be sure to scroll down to enter the I Deserve a Donut giveaway and to find links to her blog.
It’s that time of year we all know and love: The Holiday Eating Season.
Pumpkin pie. Sugar cookies. Mashed potatoes and gravy. Candy canes. Turkey and stuffing. The list could go on and on.
So how do we keep ourselves from gaining five or 10 pounds in the next month or two? Simple. We renew our minds as often as possible!
Here is a chart you can use to renew your mind with both practical truth and biblical truth. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go renew my mind!
Lie | Practical Truth | Biblical Truth |
| It’s a holiday. I should be able to eat what I want. | I can eat what I want. But would that really be a good idea? Probably not since what I want to eat is 5 pieces of pie and 2 pieces of everything else. | All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 |
| It won’t be as much fun if I don’t eat what I want. | It won’t be as much fun for only 5 or 10 minutes. The rest of the day will be more fun because I won’t feel so stuffed and regretful. | Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:2 |
| I don’t know when I’ll get this again. I better eat as much as I can now. | Chances are, I’ll get the same thing tomorrow for leftovers, but if everything is gone, I can always make it again. | But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Romans 13:14 |
| This food is so good that I should have seconds. | This food is so good that I need to concentrate on thoroughly enjoying each and every bite. It’s hard to truly appreciate large quantities of food. | Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. Philippians 4:11 |
| But everyone else is eating. | Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean I need to do it. (Remember that old cliff saying.) | And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2a |
| But they expect me to eat. I don’t want to draw attention to myself. | You can’t please everyone. Besides, it will be so busy, they probably won’t notice what I’m eating. If they do, oh well. | Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 |
| I can’t help myself—it’s there, and I’m going to eat it. | If I keep renewing my mind, chances are, I won’t even want to break my boundaries. | I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 |
| It’s a holiday. This is my opportunity to eat, eat, eat. Bring on the food! | It’s a holiday. This is my opportunity to relax, visit with people I haven’t seen in awhile, and thank God for His many blessings. | O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1 |
I found Barb’s book to be full of wisdom and truth as well. What surprised me is how all of the Biblical principles Barb used to make her case in the area of controlling oneself could be used in all areas. I got a ton out of it. I’m looking forward to a day and season of Thanksgiving, but plan on showing it with self control.
Floyd, I completely agree. I believe we can all be blessed with self-control as we continue to reflect on the truths Barb shares in her book, because they’re from God’s Word. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
I love this this list especially the Biblical references! I will print this out as a reminder not only for Thanksgivng but for Christmas, New Year’s, etc… 🙂
I love it, too, Kimmoy. And you’re right, this is a great reminder for many different situations.
Yes, I totally agree! They are defeatist ideas that we HAVE to or there is no choice. I call it the Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Years Food Fest. Oy! Drives me nuts, but it is a good opportunity to work the good sense muscle and willpower 🙂
Stephanie, glad you like Barb’s post. The wonderful thing about renewing our minds is the change doesn’t require as much willpower. Have blessed holidays!
The lie that I believe…they expect me to eat.
Thanks for this post and this giveaway!