The Stinkin’ Stomach God

*Did you catch the Women Living Well Webcast last night on health? Clare from Peak 313 Fitness was the keynote and I was on the discussion panel. (You can still watch it until 9 est tonight by clicking here. ) Those of you who have been around here a while know weightloss (and regain!) is something I have struggled with my whole life. I hope this post encourages us all.

“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:18-20

photo-41I don’t know about you, but I am tired of the stinkin’ stomach god.

You know, that sometimes growling, never quite satisfied, oh-so-bossy part of me that sends a signal to my brain that says, “something sounds good.”

Oh, and that “something” is rarely anything that while it “sounds good”, is actually good for me. Nope. The “sounds good” items are usually either salty and fat or sweet and fat.

Rarely does my stomach/brain combo put in a speedy request for an order of raw celery with a side of steamed cauliflower.

No ma’am.

Instead, it loves to order salty, snappy chips or gooey chocolate brownies with rich & creamy (and thick!) frosting. Or perhaps some leftover pizza with thick crust and three meats (the only way my boys ever seem to want to have it). Full-fat ice cream anyone?

Stinkin’, bossy stomach god…

When I happened across today’s verse, it smacked me square between the eyes.

I want God to be my God. I don’t want my stomach in that place calling the shots for me.

Can I get an amen?

So if you too are sick of the stinkin’ stomach god, pinky promise with me that together, we will listen to our hearts and ignore our stinkin’ stomach and its partner-in-crime ‘bossy brain’. ‘Cause you see, at those times when my stomach/brain pull their pranks (especially with the brain doing all sorts of mental gymnastics telling me I deserve the food or perhaps that I might as well pig out since I am NEVER going to get the rest of this weight back off) my heart knows better.

My heart whispers…. “Don’t eat that. It will tastes fabulous, but then it will turn on you” or “Yes, your stomach is hungry. Fine. There is some leftover salad in the fridge and some fresh pineapple. Eat that instead.”

Yes, my heart whispers.

However, my stomach god SCREAMS!!!!!!!!

Today, let’s start intentionally and intently listening to the right voice.

Are you with me?

Do you struggle with your eating and weight? If so, leave us a comment here and we can pray for each other over the food-laden weekend. I’d be honored to pray for you.

71 Comments

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  2. Carol Louw says:
    November 1, 2013 at 6:54 am
    Hi I am in South Africa and in case you do not know but we have the most amazing foods that are so rich in fats (and flavour) and having been brought up in a home where we were served huge plates of food I have always had a weight problem and now at the age of almost 60 it is more and more difficult to loose and with this weight comes medical problems like bad knees etc. I am trying all the time, but I never succeed and then I get so despondent and just give up. Please pray for me that I can conquer this urge to eat the wrong things, too much thereof and that I can discipline my mind to control the urges of my body and that my mindset can move towards a healthier way of eating which will result in a healthier life – I am with all of you who struggle in prayer and spirit – nothing is impossible with God – our weight is a small task in His hands – let us lose weight for God – one step at a time – warmest blessings Carol

  3. Up, down, up,up, up down…the story of the last 25 years. I eat when I’m happy, sad, lonely, bored, watching TV, socially and the list goes on and on. I have little self-control, but am working on it seriously again. Our daughter is getting married in December and I intentionally bought my dress too small. Working on getting into that beautiful dress so that I won’t be the fat mom in the family photographs. Praying you each win your food battles.

  4. I, too, have struggled with my weight my entire life, losing a little weight and then gaining all of it (and a few extra pounds) right back. I just finished Priscilla Shirer’s Gideon Bible study, and while working on the section about idols, God showed me very clearly that food is an idol in my life. I think your post is intended to remind me that this is a spiritual battle I’ll have to fight over and over…not so much the battle of losing weight as the battle against allowing food to take God’s rightful place. I suspect that in toppling that idol from the throne of my life, the weight issue will take care of itself.

  5. I am so tired of the battle. Losing and gaining over and over. Please pray I follow God not my stomach God. Praying for you too!

  6. Pausing in my Saturday of catching up on work around the house and writing to pray for all of you who shared here. Thanks for hopping on to pray for each other too. It blesses my little ole blogging heart!!!

  7. Thanks Karen
    Oh how I want God to be God and not my stomach……I hate the struggle with food I have each day. Thanks for your prayers
    Nancy

  8. Karen,
    Thank you for your part in the WLW broadcast. I too appreciate your humor and “realness.” I have struggled with my weight for several years and come from a family who struggles with weight. Many family members need knee replacement and I do not want that to happen to me because of something I could control. As much as I have studied God’s Word, I do not remember running across the verse you posted. I too plan on printing it out and re-reading it frequently to remind me of the importance of not making food my idol. I am an RN (currently unemployed) and I should know better, I know the importance of balanced nutrition and exercise, yet I choose to sit and eat. I am an emotional eater and a closet “snacker” and have recently realized that my snacking is out of control. I really like what Clare said about planning out my snacks. I am praying that the Lord will help me to get healthy so that I can be a positive example and encouragement to my family. Thank you for your ministry!

  9. Yes Karen I struggle and have struggled for YEARS! I lose weight and then gain it right back. I get so mad at myself for this constant struggle with food. I have tried weight watchers (when I could afford it) and lost quite a bit of weight, then I got off the plan and gained it all right back. I have tried just about every diet out there and have failed repeatedly. I am beyond frustrated. I know God wants me to take care of my body, but I am lazy when it comes to exercise. I HATE to exercise. But I loved watching the W.L.W. video and I could relate so well to everything that was said. I also see that I either control my eating and not exercise or exercise but don’t control my eating. I can’t wrap my mind around doing both and being successful at it. I doubt myself so much and know there will be failure, so why bother? So, yeah, I know exactly what you are saying and can relate to you. Thankyou for sharing your struggles, it’s nice to know that I am not alone.

  10. Yes, Karen, I do struggle…terribly sometimes. I did really well a couple of years ago and lost 60 + pounds. I have gained 40 of it back and struggle with food on a daily basis. Your prayers are appreciated and I, in turn, will pray for the other ladies here and you. Also, thank you for being real last night on the webcast. It really touched my heart. God bless you! ~Rebecca

  11. I really enjoyed the webcast last night – all of you are great! Thanks for sharing, Karen. I can SO identify with your story!!! Thanks for the verse today!! AMEN!! I have been gradually losing this year & so far have lost 30 pounds, but have 50-60 more to go. I started reading ‘Made to Crave’ & it really helped me focus in on the Lord, NOT food or listening to that voice inside me…but I got off track about a month ago – so I committed myself to get back on track again last night!! I’m gluten-free & dairy-free, so it limits some of those things that many people eat….but trust me, there’s still lots available to eat that I shouldn’t!!!! lol Thanks for your prayers – I’m praying for you too. God bless & thanks so much for your ministry. :)

  12. I just finished listening to last night’s webcast, and I can so relate to what you said! Starting in August, 2009, I lost 76 pounds in 7 mos.! I have however, gained half of it back from early 2011 to now. I have somewhere, somehow, lost my “umph.” I feel like you do, that my sin is visible. I am a Pastor’s wife and these folks have seen me gain that weight, which makes it worse for me (although none have come out and said anything, of course). I know they talk about whatever I do, don’t do, wear, etc. I am also an all or nothing person, a perfectionist, and am only in the last few days learning that it is ok to not be perfect, or to not do things the way others do. It is my journey. Please pray for me as I learn how to lean on the Lord for this, and to know that I am unique and so, therefore, will be my health and fitness journey.

    Thank you!! And thank you for your candor!!

    Toni

  13. I could have written this story. I battle food everyday of my life. I know what I am supposed to do as far as eating right and exercise , why don’t I do it. ? I would love to be a part of women praying for a common (goal) lifestyle change.

  14. Please pray for me. I have a stronghold of sweets. Once I start eating them I can’t stop. I have pleaded with the Lord to help me with this. I even had weight-loss surgery. I got a lot band almost 2 years ago and lost some weight but have regained some. Please Pray that I will crave God not sweets.

  15. I enjoyed last night. It was great. I too struggle with my weight. I have been working at truly learning, “eat to live, not live to eat”. But it is so hard! I love cooking. I love making food I can share with others, but I rationalize over and over when I am tempted. I truly need to stick to a healthy food program. One that I can live with daily. I would appreciate the prayers and I will pray for you.

  16. I don’t diet – I’ve done that yoyo thing before – so almost 3 years ago I made the decision to get HEALTHY – lose weight, exercise, and become the best/strongest/healthiest me I could be. And for about 18 months or so, I did GREAT – I lost 75 pounds – with about another 25 or so to lose. So…what happened next? Instead continuing on to reach my goal, I pulled up the brakes, parked it there and have pretty much maintained (lost/gained 5-10 pounds over and over) since. I have NO idea why I stopped short of reaching my goal when I was so close. I was so disciplined and really stuck to the plan. And even though I have not been eating JUNK food like before, I haven’t been watching my portions like I should and that’s where I’ve been stuck. I don’t know what happened to me…am I afraid of being strong and healthy? Am I afraid that being and strong and healthy will remove any excuses I might use to keep from doing somethings? I just don’t know. Although I’ve lost 70-75 pounds – I feel like such a failure because I can’t get back on track and move forward. Please pray that I can find that motivation that I had before – the strength and the courage to face this and reach my goal. I don’t want to be skinny – just healthy and not have to always look in my closet for something that I don’t look pudgy/fat in. Will I EVER be able to just get dressed without worrying if I look fat in an outfit? I would love to just get dressed with no thought to weight/fat.
    Thank you so much.

  17. I SO appreciate the WLW webcast and your honesty. I am glad that someone else feels the same way I do, as I am ministering or trying to minister to someone it is SO hard sometimes because of the struggle with the weight that is SO visible. I know I should eat healthy. I know my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I know I should exercise. It seems SO logical and I am a logical person for the most part, I just can’t ever seem to be faithful in this area of my life. I know God is greater and can and will give me the victories in life. Yet, I still struggle…and struggle…and struggle. I loved what Clare said to win small! I also loved knowing I wasn’t alone. Thanks!

  18. Saw the webcast last night. I enjoy all of you women. There’s not many like you all in New York.
    Please pray for my weight loss. I had lost at least sixty five pounds and now I have put most of it back on. I know I am an emotional eater. I know only God can help me. I’m so lost. We will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary in early July and I want to look slender and beautiful. I will never be twenty three again, but I really look terrible now. Only prayers and God can lead me and help me. As you pray for me I will pray for you. Thanks in advance!

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