Does God...just not like me?

[beyondinfinity]

I mean... I tried. I prayed that I would overcome my addiction. No one would help me with it and I mean no one. So I turned to God. However, soon after praying, I continued to eat. Then I gave up. I repeatedly went back to God and alternated from "God will help me", to "I'm so useless." but it was to no avail. I'm just scared that this eating addiction will turn for the worst. I just don't understand how prayer works.I believe in God greatly, but when I pray, I still feel empty because my sins repeat nonstop. I don't understand.

 

[Matthew G]

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

-Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV

That is the most important thing to remember, dear sister. Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7 KJV) However, what we have to keep in mind is that the Lord's timing isn't always our timing. In fact, His timing rarely matches ours. It's all about remaining steadfast in your faith.

Your faith has to be exercised, it has to be worked and stretched, if it is to grow. Ask any athlete, and they will tell you that no muscle will gain any strength without putting it under stress. That is the point. I don't know how far along you are with your walk in the Lord, but if you are a "younger" Christian (I mean only in terms of when you were saved), chances are that doesn't seem right or fair. The thing to remember there is that it's not for us to know everything, or to always understand why God does what he does. Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding." That's because, as humans, our capacity for understanding is very limited. This is where faith comes in. You have to cling to the fact that everything the Lord does, He does for your good.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 KJV

I'd like to give you a few verses of Scripture to focus and pray on. And I want to encourage you to remember that no one ever said it was easy. They just said it was worth it. The following verses were taken from the English Standard Version, with some of my own emphasis added.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect that you my be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-3

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of GLORY BEYOND ALL COMPARISON," - 2 Corinthians 4:17

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are NOT WORTH COMPARING WITH THE GLORY THAT IS TO BE REVEALED TO US." - Romans 8:18

"Beloved, DO NOT BE SURPRISED at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." - 1 Peter 4:12

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you into his eternal glory in Christ, will himself RESTORE, CONFIRM, STRENGTHEN, AND ESTABLISH YOU." - 1 Peter 5:10

The bottom line, DON'T GIVE UP! I know that's easier said than done. I've been there, done that, got the t-shirt and sent it back. However, show me one place in Scripture where one of God's people had it easy. Exactly. You can't, because it's not in there.

Father God, I want to pray for my sister in Christ, that you would grant her the strength and the courage to remain steadfast through her trial. I thank you, Lord, for the deliverance which you have already prepared for her, and I pray that her heart and mind would be drawn to your Word and your presence, and that the enemy would gain no foothold on her thoughts or feelings. Lord you know her needs far better than I, and I just pray that those needs would be met, and met in abundance. All this pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

[beyondinfinity]

Thank you so much. I greatly appreciate this.

 

[Fembot]

Limiting salt, sugar and fat will help you curb cravings. You have to meet God half way. Do you search the web for articles, YouTube for videos and for books on eating healthier, filling food? That would be a good start. Try eating mostly fruit & vegetables with one portion of lean meat for the day. See if the fiber and natural sugars fill you up so that you won't crave junk. It's not hard if you ask God to give you the strength to make it through the first three days, it should be a breeze from there. Besides books etc, you could see a nutrition or get on a meal delivery plan. If that's out of your budget, there are great books written by nutritionists with recipes etc.
Another good thing to do is get rid of the junk that's already stuck inside of you. Because you want to start fresh. Get some senna tea (I like Organic Smooth moves by Traditional Medicinals) have it once or twice a week and try drinking fresh squeezed juices for two days before eating clean whole foods again. My fav juice gives me energy and lots of nutrients! It's made with spinach, kale, parsley, celery, apple lemon and ginger. Try it sometime. Good luck

 

[beyondinfinity]

Thank you so much. This is great advice.

 

[trueblue]

Thank you for this. Very helpful and inspiring Bible quotes.

"seek, and ye shall find". Could Jesus have been talking about bible scriptures here? I think so. You can practically find a quote for anything in life from the bible.

Its hard to keep your eyes on Heaven and not the things of this world when you feel so greatly effected by the world and all its ways.

But I believe we have to keep our eyes on Him and not our problems. That way our problems are minimized into total insignigicance compared to Him and His blessings to come. - Romans 8:18.

I know its easier said than done when the world is on your shoulders but just food for thought for you and just know I got love for you anyway man.

God doesn't make mistakes. We are made in His image and will be made perfect in the twinkling of an eye one day and none of this life will be remembered nor come to mind.

God bless you muchly brother.

 

[AIR]

I mean... I tried. I prayed that I would overcome my addiction. No one would help me with it and I mean no one. So I turned to God. However, soon after praying, I continued to eat. Then I gave up. I repeatedly went back to God and alternated from "God will help me", to "I'm so useless." but it was to no avail. I'm just scared that this eating addiction will turn for the worst. I just don't understand how prayer works.I believe in God greatly, but when I pray, I still feel empty because my sins repeat nonstop. I don't understand.

I feel EXACTLY like this. I feel pretty empty and I feel like that no-one hear me =(

 

[Claudya]

Don't worry, God is going to help you. Just maybe not in the way you expect.
When it comes to mental health things the obvious problems often aren't the real problems. So if God would switch off your eating disorder the true problems in your soul would still remain there and no real growth would happen. Maybe you will have to go on a healing journey that might take a bit more time and effort than just to stop eating addictively.
God certainly wants to help you, but He may chose another way than a quick change of eating behaviour.

Have you talked to some eating disorder counsellor? Are there any real good christian counsellors around you that have some training in dealing with eating problems?
I have no idea about your background story, but I suspect your eating habit is not really a food addiction, but some sort of coping behaviour. Maybe it's something else you hunger for.
Or maybe you are eating to comfort yourself, or because you are bored. It's possible to relearn those behaviour patterns. And it's possible to solve the problems that are behind it, so you can grow into a better version of yourself.
Mabye that's what God wants you to do: to figure it out yourself, overcome that eating problem, and thus realise how strong you actually are.
You should keep trying to talk to people you trust, and ask them if they know someone trustworthy and experienced you could talk to, like a counsellor or a shrink.

Most of all don't give up, and don't doubt God's love and His willingness to help. He will always be with you and He is looking forward to watching you win this battle.

 

[Drew]

I suspect that the reason many struggle to overcome bad habits is that we are intimidated by the prospect of the entire project, and fail to realize that we can only control the present moment. Let me illustrate: Suppose you have a craving for a piece of cake. Instead of imagining how challenging it will be to deal with all future cravings you will ever have, remind yourself that all you can possibly do in the present moment is deal with this present craving. And while I am no expert in these things, I suggest that it is much easier to win that "local" victory - to overcome the particular craving you have in the present moment.

I would also say that, for all of us, we cannot simply "sit back and expect God to do the work". I am a huge believer in the efficacy of human free will. More specifically, I believe that we can indeed "simply decide" to not eat that piece of cake. Now I am not saying it will be easy, but I have a hard time believing that if one is really motivated - if one really does want to beat the habit - that one cannot win that battle with the piece of cake. After all, who "forces" that piece of cake into your mouth? No one. Now to be fair: perhaps I do not fully understand what others go through in terms of their addictions. I decided to lose 40 pounds 2 years ago and I did it (and the weight is still off). How? By realizing the freedom I have to choose, at each moment, how I behave. Its a wonderful feeling - realizing that we can indeed control our actions (at least in my experience). And the more you exercize that power to direct your own fate, the more exciting it becomes to realize that we can indeed choose how we live.

Where is God in this picture? Well, I certainly do not expect "magic" from God - that I will ask him to deliver me from an addiction and it will happen like magic. I think we have gotten off track with this idea of God as a kind of "magician" who will solve all our problems if we ask Him. I prefer to think about this way: we are created in God's image. And what is our God all about? He is about creativity, about molding the world in accordance with His will into the beautiful thing it is (or at least was before the fall). As redeemed believers, we have the Holy Spirit inside us. And that same Spirit that created the cosmos should be able to give us the "power" to resist that piece of cake today as we freely choose to exercize that creative power to shape ourselves and our world. And we'll deal with tomorrow when it comes.

A final disclaimer: Perhaps the experts will tell me that, for some people, that faculty I call "free will" is damaged beyond repair, and they simply cannot overcome their temptations. Well, we can have that conversation - I certainly do not want to presume that my view on this issue is beyond mistake.

 

[jwoods4290]

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

-Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV

That is the most important thing to remember, dear sister. Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7 KJV) However, what we have to keep in mind is that the Lord's timing isn't always our timing. In fact, His timing rarely matches ours. It's all about remaining steadfast in your faith.

Your faith has to be exercised, it has to be worked and stretched, if it is to grow. Ask any athlete, and they will tell you that no muscle will gain any strength without putting it under stress. That is the point. I don't know how far along you are with your walk in the Lord, but if you are a "younger" Christian (I mean only in terms of when you were saved), chances are that doesn't seem right or fair. The thing to remember there is that it's not for us to know everything, or to always understand why God does what he does. Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding." That's because, as humans, our capacity for understanding is very limited. This is where faith comes in. You have to cling to the fact that everything the Lord does, He does for your good.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 KJV

I'd like to give you a few verses of Scripture to focus and pray on. And I want to encourage you to remember that no one ever said it was easy. They just said it was worth it. The following verses were taken from the English Standard Version, with some of my own emphasis added.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect that you my be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-3

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of GLORY BEYOND ALL COMPARISON," - 2 Corinthians 4:17

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are NOT WORTH COMPARING WITH THE GLORY THAT IS TO BE REVEALED TO US." - Romans 8:18

"Beloved, DO NOT BE SURPRISED at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." - 1 Peter 4:12

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you into his eternal glory in Christ, will himself RESTORE, CONFIRM, STRENGTHEN, AND ESTABLISH YOU." - 1 Peter 5:10

The bottom line, DON'T GIVE UP! I know that's easier said than done. I've been there, done that, got the t-shirt and sent it back. However, show me one place in Scripture where one of God's people had it easy. Exactly. You can't, because it's not in there.

Father God, I want to pray for my sister in Christ, that you would grant her the strength and the courage to remain steadfast through her trial. I thank you, Lord, for the deliverance which you have already prepared for her, and I pray that her heart and mind would be drawn to your Word and your presence, and that the enemy would gain no foothold on her thoughts or feelings. Lord you know her needs far better than I, and I just pray that those needs would be met, and met in abundance. All this pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

wow.. i just want to thank you for this. i'm preying on this new job and it seems like it is taking forever. (in my heart i'm truely believing i got the job) and i know right now god is testing my faith to see how much more i can deal with my current situations and so forth, but i will never let go and believe god is sending me in the wrong way. as hard as things are right now financially and mentally, i will never give up.. it's so difficult not to, but in the long run, i know all will be worth it 10 fold then how i feel about it now.

God bless

 

[Matthew G]

wow.. i just want to thank you for this. i'm preying on this new job and it seems like it is taking forever. (in my heart i'm truely believing i got the job) and i know right now god is testing my faith to see how much more i can deal with my current situations and so forth, but i will never let go and believe god is sending me in the wrong way. as hard as things are right now financially and mentally, i will never give up.. it's so difficult not to, but in the long run, i know all will be worth it 10 fold then how i feel about it now.

God bless

You're very welcome, and I'm flattered you were able to find comfort in my words. I sincerely believe everything I said because I have honestly lived it, and because of that I hope within the next few years you'll be hearing about a little church in Middle Tennessee called Forged in Fire Ministry. You've been added to my prayers, my friend.

Have you heard the story of the two frogs who fell into a batch of butter? They kicked, and kicked, and kicked, and kicked, and couldn't get out. One frog said, "It's hopeless!" He quit kicking, and he drowned. The other frog said, "I ain't gonna never, never, never, never, never give up. And he kept kicking, and kept kicking, and kept kicking, and kept kicking. When the farmer finally got around to that barrel and pulled off the lid, that frog had kicked so hard and so much that he had churned a big ball of butter. And the frog was sitting up on top of that ball of butter, taking a nap.

I know that's kind of a kids' story, but it's one of my favorites and teaches (in my opinion) a monumentally important lesson. Hang in there, and keep your focus on the Lord. He's right there with you, and He will never leave your side. He will see you through, just never, never, never, never, never give up!

 

[beyondinfinity]

I feel EXACTLY like this. I feel pretty empty and I feel like that no-one hear me =(

Nice to know I'm not alone and I'm sorry you have to go through that feeling as well. And thank you everyone for the inspiration.

 

[Agape]

I mean... I tried. I prayed that I would overcome my addiction. No one would help me with it and I mean no one. So I turned to God. However, soon after praying, I continued to eat. Then I gave up. I repeatedly went back to God and alternated from "God will help me", to "I'm so useless." but it was to no avail. I'm just scared that this eating addiction will turn for the worst. I just don't understand how prayer works.I believe in God greatly, but when I pray, I still feel empty because my sins repeat nonstop. I don't understand.

Of course, God loves you. And so do we! ;)

If you are a teen, your body is still developing and needs nutrients to grow and be healthy. Learn to eat healthy instead of restricting yourself and replace junk food with healthier alternatives.

Smile, enjoy life and forget about diets. If you want a pizza, eat a pizza but do it once or twice a week, not everyday. Do not restrict yourself to only certain foods, and stay away from "crash diets".

Here is a article you may want to read to learn what balanced meals for teenage girls look like http://www.livestrong.com/article/503800-eating-plan-for-teenage-girls/
Once you read it, take a look at others articles for teen girls. If you read anything you don't understand, just ask us to explain it to you. There is a forum for nutrition in here http://www.christianforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=61

 

[Deborah13]

Don't worry, God is going to help you. Just maybe not in the way you expect.
When it comes to mental health things the obvious problems often aren't the real problems. So if God would switch off your eating disorder the true problems in your soul would still remain there and no real growth would happen. Maybe you will have to go on a healing journey that might take a bit more time and effort than just to stop eating addictively.
God certainly wants to help you, but He may chose another way than a quick change of eating behaviour.
Most of all don't give up, and don't doubt God's love and His willingness to help. He will always be with you and He is looking forward to watching you win this battle.

The above quote is part of Claudya's post to you. IMO this is so true.

Do you know, really know, that God loves YOU? Do you know for absolutely sure that YOU have been made the righteousness of God, in Jesus? If God says you are lovable and He says you are righteous in His eyes because you are His child, righteous in Jesus than you need to believe it.
I learned of this idea from a christian college class so I did it. I looked at myself in a mirror straight in the eye and said "God loves me." It made me smile, I knew God loved me for sure. Then I said, "I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus." As I said those words I dropped my eyes and I knew that I didn't really really believe it. I do now praise God. YOU are not "useless" even when you are weak. God does not make "useless" children. His children are blessed. Remember what Paul said, "when I am weak then I am strong." When we are at our weakest we see our need for our Savior and He lifts us up. So take a great bad bite and say "God loves me and I am righteous in Him" and He will make you strong. You and Jesus can beat this, Praise God.

 

[Thomas Mahoney]

Don't be disheartened, god wants you to be strong. I was severely asthmatic as a boy, and I prayed daily. But god didn't answer. But through my own hard work, I have cured myself. God knew I could do it, and I have become a stronger person as a result. The same goes for you, god knows you can do it.

 

[for_his_glory]

Sometimes we overeat because of self-esteem issues, stress, being bored, or lack of activities in our life. We can pray to God all we want, but when it comes down to it God will do His part in taking these cravings from you, but you have to do your part in staying away from that which makes one heavy. Become involved with other activities that will help you take your mind off of food. Not sure what your social standing is with having friends, but get out of the house and start taking walks, riding a bike or doing those things you would enjoy doing. When we can busy ourselves with other things then it takes our mind off the problem at hand and allows us to go in a better direction. I see teen under your name so I can assume you are one. If you are in High School get involved with after school activities like joining some clubs they have. Get involved with a youth group at Church. There are always alternatives that will help put you in a new perspective of your life and the most important thing is to be happy with yourself in who you are and not what you look like.

 

[beyondinfinity]

Thank you so much everyone. Thank you.

 

[josefnospam]

God loves his people and gives his spirit to all he choose. And he won't fail to find all he died for. His mercy is great. Are you his? I hope so. You seem confused............Trust in Jesus Christ and him alone. He is a great God. By the way salvation is not what you eat, drink, do, or say. Your salvation is the spirit of God given by Christ the Lord. Some find fault with him, others try to obtain his spirit by doing something. But only he can open your eyes and ears and give you his spirit. Does this help?

 

[leomauv]

don't give up hope.. he's always just a prayer away.

 

[vocalyocal]

you will find that every success story of someone overcoming any addiction or sin has one common denominator.......They never gave up!

the great victory you seek is right after an equally great failure.......but victory will be achieved if you just remember that one common denominator

never give up!