Is Everything In Your Life Beneficial?

Is Everything in Your Life Beneficial? 

One day last week, I was working on the computer and suddenly encountered a problem I could not fix. I tried and tried, and became very frustrated. Knowing I would have to wait until my husband came home, I gave up. 

What do you think I did?  I headed straight for the kitchen to grab some dark chocolate chips and nuts.  Why?  Because from the time of my childhood, in difficult situations and circumstances, food always made me feel better, especially something sweet. 

Since becoming a wellness coach, I’ve done a lot of work on my brain around using food to avoid unpleasant emotions.  Renewing my mind (Romans 12:2) is something I do constantly.  One thing that has really helped me in these situations is to turn to scripture for guidance and strength.  The verse that has really made an impression is 1 Corinthians 6:12: 

“Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible for me, but I will not let myself be mastered by anything.”  

This has made me stop and think every time.  I know eating dark chocolate and nuts is “permissible”, but it might not be beneficial.  A few years ago, I was in the prediabetic range.  I have since moved myself out of that range back to normal, but my body does not need any additional sugar.  Plus, I could gain the weight back I had around my middle, which would not be healthy.   

The idea that I would be mastered by any substance, be it food or drink, is unacceptable to me.  Yes, I can be compassionate to myself and understand how that little girl was able to feel better by eating cookies or ice cream. But today I know that being mastered by that desire can have a net negative consequence.  Yes, I can do it, but it is not necessarily beneficial. 

What about you?  Are you being dominated by anything that isn’t beneficial?  It can be something you eat or drink.  It may be affecting your health.  But it can also be an activity that isn’t beneficial that you can’t get control over – that is mastering you.  Taking drugs, shopping online, binge-watching NetFlix, pornography, social media, overworking.  It can be affecting your relationships and health.  There is probably some kind of negative net consequence. 

What can you do about it, now that you have identified it?  Here are three suggestions: 

1. Take it to God.  Ask for deliverance from the desire to engage in that activity.  Pray for guidance. 
2. Get help.  Ask a friend, coach, or counselor to be an accountability partner to support you when you are feeling the desire to engage in the activity.  Just having someone to walk with you can be a huge help. 
3. Take a pause for 10, 30 or 60 minutes.  Desires and cravings come in waves.  Go for a walk, read a book, drink a bottle of water, call someone, make some tea. 

You can overcome anything that is not beneficial and is mastering you.  Use your faith to have freedom from it in your life now! 

Need help managing your desires for substances and activities that might be mastering you?  Send me an email at jane@janespringer.com and I get right back to you.  We'll chat about your challenges and how we might be a good fit to work together.  Looking forward to hearing from you.

And if you would like to kick start your weight loss or get yourself out of the prediabetic zone, go here and receive my Divinely Inspired Weight Loss Guide.  You will be well on your way to reaching your goals.....

Much love,
Jane