“For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” Luke 8:17
For years I would eat uncontrollably–in secret. I’ve had a salad and chicken breast when I was around others, and when I would get home, could easily eat an entire bag of Oreo cookies. I was able to justify it because I would then work out for hours to burn it off.
In fact, I remember binge-eating while I coaching others to get healthy. No one knew my secret because I kept it from everyone. And as long as I was not accountable to anyone, I continued to wear the mask of ‘having it all together.’
If you also find yourself eating uncontrollably. you’ll want to grab a pen and paper.
According to the Mayo Clinic, it is described as:
- Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as over a 2 hour period
- Feeling that your eating behavior is out of control
- Eating even when you’re full or not hungry
- Eating rapidly during binge episodes
- Eating until you’re uncomfortably full
- Frequently eating alone or in secret
- Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty, or upset about your eating
- Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss
Can you relate?
In the past, I would say yes to every one of these signs, I did them all. Today, I can say that, with the exception of the occasional, ‘snaccident,’ I’m free from binge-eating.
So how do you overcome it?
If you answered yes to some, if not all of the criteria above, now what?
Understand the Real Issues
1. Uncontrolled or binge-eating is an emotional issue
It’s not because you have an eating problem; it’s not because you’re lazy; it’s not because you lack self-control; it’s not because you need discipline. And the last thing you need to do is to try to make yourself stop eating by going on another diet. This usually results in more binge-eating
2. Emotional issues need spiritual healing
Understand that it is a spiritual issue that only God can fix. All physical hunger when taken in excess such as overeating, unhealthy sexual behaviors, addictions, etc. all result from our soul crying out to be satisfied; crying out for something more; something that only the love of God can fill.
3. Spiritual healing is an ongoing process and not a one-and-done
Somewhere in our lives, we’ve come to believe in instant miracles. Maybe it’s from the Bible stories we read as a kid or maybe it’s because of all the TV commercials promising quick-fixes.
Wherever these faulty beliefs came from, they are counter-productive to overcoming our strongholds like binge-eating. Accept this fact and stop running from program to program. God is not concerned with how much we weigh! He wants an uncompromising commitment to Him, This will take time!
You may need to spend some time and let these three truths sink in. Accepting these three truths alone can transform your life.
However, if you’re ready to go deeper, spend some time in prayer and answer the following questions.
Are you being honest with yourself?
Face the truth! One of the most powerful insights in our Weight Loss, God’s Way Program is that ‘God will only cover what you’re willing to uncover.’ It’s time to tell yourself the truth. Is your eating out of control? If so, are you really ready to do something about it? Are you ready to go deeper and uncover what’s at the root?
Have you shared your health journey with anyone else?
Vulnerability and accountability are crucial on this journey. The enemy’s plan is to divide and conquer. We are stronger when we can ‘bear each other’s burdens and support each other on this health journey.
Have you invited God into your journey?
While God knows the secrets of our heart already, we will not receive the fullness of his love and His help until we willingly open up to Him. He is patiently waiting for you and me to reveal our true self to Him. He tells us that it’s safe to take off the mask and be transparent before Him. He is calling us to come to Him so he can love us, heal us, and set us free.
Beloved, you can overcome emotional eating, but there's a high probability that you've been going about it all wrong. You've been dealing with the symptom instead of going right to the root of what is causing you to binge-eat. Share on XP.S. if you are tired of circling the same mountain over and over and want a Christ-centered approach to lasting weight loss without feeling guilty, deprived, or overwhelmed, be sure to sign up for our video course program right away at cathymorenzie.com
21 Comments
This article is so well written. Really good food for thought. I am having a hard time woth emotional eating. My life stressful, who’s isn’t, and more and more I am running to food to feel better instead of turning everything over to God and trusting him. I try to “fix” things myself and then when that doesn’t work I remember to hand it over and allow God in. I am tired of going round and round this mountain. I am committing to surrendering it to God.
Thanks for sharing Tracey. Start with taking some deep breaths and inviting the Holy Spirit it. He will give you the peace you need in the midst of your busyness.
What a wonderful article. It’s not easy to always be honest with myself, transparent/vulnerable with others and accountable for my actions or inaction, but through this study, I’m learning. I’m thankful for the encouragement from God’s Word and from my fellow sister’s on this site that are also willing to be transparent.
Good for you RuthAnn. It will take practice to remain open and transparent but it will be worth it. Together we are stronger.
Amen ??
So what do you do when you’ve been completely honest with yourself, God, to all of your health practitioners, therapists, counselors, crying out & begging for help, yet the harder you try to submit, surrender, & deal with the compulsive binge eating the worst it gets? ???? I know all the reasons & that the absolute core of it is a spiritual battle & that God is meant to comfort me & fill that need. But nothing changes, except it keeps getting worst! I’m beside myself
I can hear your struggle and pain Anne-Marie. I’m sorry for all you’re going through. I don’t have the answer but I know that knowing the reasons is not enough. Once you know the reason then you have to submit the reason/fear/need to God and allow Him to heal that part of your life. This will take time. You can’t deal with the binge eating but the reason for the binge eating. The more you try to stop the binge eating, the more you will end up eating. Can you say that you have allowed to work on the root cause? Praying for you my sister.
About 10 years ago I had bariatric surgery so I am no longer physically able to “stuff.” But I often find that while my body will not tolerate anymore, my mind still wants more. Very frustrating. I lost 70 lbs with the surgery & gained 30 back & I am still 100 lbs overweight. I realized a couple of years ago that it was a sin problem. So here we go……..trusting!
Yes Gay, this goes to show that it’s a mental and emotional batter. These struggles need spiritual healing. Continue to let God heal you from the inside out. Diets, surgeries, programs won’t help until you allow God to change the way you think.
Very timely to see this message in my inbox. Last night I definitely succumbed to overeating. No sense in giving the ‘reasons’—I had big snaccident and, of course, this morning I’m thinking why did I lose it at end of day?! I feel often I’m just not the dedicated person I was just a few years ago. I’m going to continue with WLGW program as I believe in time the truths I’m learning, and learning to allow God in on this, will give me victory. I am so strong in my faith for other areas of my life, why do I not fully allow God’s help in this area? Why do I not fully trust this journey to him?
Thanks for your transparency Carolyn, most of us have one or two areas that we hold on to. Once this stronghold is broken, you will be unstoppable!
I just realized in reading this that the Lord has been helping me over the past 2 years to control the binge eating behavior. I used to eat half gallons of ice cream and huge plates of food. I lost 28 pounds with the Holy Spirit’s help (his fruit of self-control). I know I need emotional healing, but have not been wanting to “go there” and re-visit old hurts that are mentally exhausting. I will pray about this some more.
Hi Laura Lynn, Praise God for your breakthrough over the years. if God is telling you to go deeper then trust that He will do in gently and gracefully. I can seem like ‘too much’ to open up that can of worms but your future, your legacy and your purpose is dependent on it. Trust that God will never leave you with an open wound.
This was such a timely message for me, being Weigh In Wednesday and me having to face some truths. God is so good. He will always give us what we need, when we need it the most. I am learning to listen to Him and to TRUST Him in this journey. It’s the only way to lasting freedom.
Amen Bonnie, He is faithful.
Love this article!!!
Luke 8:17 is the Scripture verse.
Keep Blessing us.
Thanks
Thanks Pat, fixed it.
Spot on, Cathy! Although God has brought me far on this journey, releasing 110 lbs. to date, I still struggle sometimes at dinner wanting more and more–even healthy food. I have continued to pray that at just that moment God will reveal why i am reaching for more.
To new members, I am a member of the WLGW team but am glad that we can encourage each other. Have a blessed day in Him and we will keep pressing on together!
I am learning to not find comfort and satisfaction in lesser things.
Amen Lynn, they are only temporary.
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