Temptation often strikes suddenly and full force. When overcoming binge eating I had to constantly put myself on alert to the emotional urges and temptations to binge. Let’s face it. Sometimes even knowing that emotionally overeating in such an out of control way only leads to heartache won’t put the brakes on those “must get alone and eat eat eat eat eat” thoughts.
Once it enters the thoughts, it’s a dangerous and slippery slope cascading right down into action…then guilt, sadness, depression, anger, and other harmful emotions. I often get questions about what exactly I would do in those situations to help myself turn away from the desire. I know others may have different beliefs but I always have to be honest – my faith played a big role. I would turn to prayer and would use Bible verses relating to temptation to keep moving forward. To this day I still use these Bible verses often because I don’t think the pull of turning to food for comfort ever completely disappears. Hopefully this post will help even one person to find a positive way to refocus those thoughts and take steps towards the life of joy and freedom God brings…instead of the stronghold I know as binge/emotional eating.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and weakness, but one of power, love, and self-control.
- 2 Timothy 1:7
MESSAGE: I CAN do this.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
- Proverbs 18:10
MESSAGE: I have protection. I am covered. I am safe. The enemy cannot get me.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
MESSAGE: I don’t have to be strong enough. I have help.
Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
- Matthew 26:41
MESSAGE: It isn’t ME that is doing these harmful things. I am a new creation in Christ. This is NOT WHO I AM.
The temptations in your life are no different than what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
MESSAGE: Others have come before me and succeeded, so I can too. God loves me and will help.
Do you have any verses or other sayings you use in similar situations? What helps you when facing a strong mental battle?
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
What a fantastic post, Tina!It is so important to remember that we can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens us. The world gets crazy, but God is always good!
For me overcoming binges I found it really important to have a good support on hand; knowing I could call and just speak to someone but everything back in to reality and it was like I bypassed the binge as once I admitted I had the urge and or almost binged it suddenly put it all in perspective. Sounds simple and of course it wasn’t so straightforward, it wasn’t a foolproof plan but it worked in the end as part of the bigger picture and approach. Every time you get through that urge you get that little bit stronger!
Definitely an important key! Having Peter’s support was tremendous for me when going through it all.
These are wonderful. Thanks, Tina!
I love this post, Tina, and how closely tied it really is to your faith – in not sliding into temptation and old/haunting habits. So beautifully written!
There is nothing like the light of Truth when you’re going through the darkness of a binge eating pattern. I’ve often relied on those verses, too. What a great post for those of us who have issues with eating! God is more powerful than our desire to binge. Thanks for sharing these beautiful words, Tina!
I love this post. Agree with the “suddenly and full force” aspect of temptation. If I have the urge to binge eat I often find that I am powerless to stop, even if everything in my head is telling me to and before I know it I have eaten a whole box of cereal while standing in my kitchen. I definitely think focusing on these verses could help me channel my thoughts in future. Thank you!
I hope you do find some peace in them. And I have been there. You’re not alone and things can get better. Hugs!
Tina- LOVE all of these and the message. You are a true inspiration to so many. These verses are awesome. The last one is my favorite. Love ya friend!!!!
While I don’t share your food temptations, I certainly have temptations of my own! It’s a comfort to know that God never gives us more than we can handle AND in moments of temptation, He always gives us a way out!
Thank you so much for sharing these verses AND your faith with your blog readers! <3
This is awesome – thank you!
I needed this…thank you<3
Thank you for this friend! I needed to read these today and be reminded of this. God has blessed me with such great Godly blends! We do need to catch up. I’ll e-mail you this weekend!
Psalm 103, with the reminder that God will SATISFY you with GOOD things:
Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
I wrote about it in this context: got2run4me.com/2012/02/26/satisfied-with-good-things/
Love this! And it reminds me of a saying in a devotional I had about this sort of thing a long time ago. The saying always stuck. You can’t eat your way out of your struggles…you can only praise your way out.
Oh, and James 4:7:
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Reminds me that I can resist and temptation will subside.
Great post, Tina. It’s so true– verses can be so powerful. I need to plaster some around my house… do not worry about tomorrow… and I love the psalm that Coco shared, too.
thank you for sharing this post. this means a lot to me! you’re amazing!
You are most welcome and I wish you all the best in whatever you face. Love to you, in Him.
Unfortunately, I am not overly religious, I am spiritual that’s for sure but it wouldn’t be me to use bible verses when the time calls- at least not at this time in my life. I’d be interested in seeing something similar but using other ways of avoiding this temptation. Hopefully, I have not insulted you- I love your religious based posts and often I can get very much out of it in the spiritual sense
Not insulted by any means. I know others don’t always share the same beliefs and I always respect that completely. I just get a lot of requests for this so thought it would be a good blog post since it is something that helped me personally in a big way. My relationship with Christ has changed me in ways I could never have fathomed so of course I share that…and think that it can often apply in a general spiritual sense like you said too. For example, believing that we can all have power to face these struggles beyond what our own mind tells us and that we do have self-discipline within us to conquer tests and trials. As always, thank you for your thoughtful comment and don’t ever hesitate to share your own thoughts.
Had my first binge in 4 weeks this past Weds…and I beat myself up over it instead of recognizing the accomplishment of 4 weeks without one! Now I’m printing these verses and hanging in my kitchen.
Yes, please focus on the success and progress you did make. Remember that slip ups DO happen but with grace for ourselves and the belief to keep moving forward they became fewer and farther between. learn from anything you can in the experience and keep on moving forward.
What a great post. And it came at a perfect time. Thank you!
Yes, yes, and YES! This is so beautiful and perfect. THANK YOU!
Crazy! I just wrote about 1 Timothy 1:7 today, mostly out of a response to a friend who decided to be vegan just so it would be easier to say “no” to unhealthy food. I reminded her of this verse and that the Holy Spirit is more powerful than veganism and that she does have the power to say no when she is tempted. Thanks for posting!
It’s such a great verse, isn’t it? And a great suggestion for your friend.
The temptations in your life are no different than what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
MESSAGE: Others have come before me and succeeded, so I can too. God loves me and will help.
I LOVE this! I think that it’s important to remember that we’re not alone in binge eating – so many people have issues with this. If others can come out of it and be okay, I can too.
I had a friend point me in your direction, after a blog post I wrote yesterday regarding a recent slip into binge/purging. I appreciate the verses you posted (and am going to browse through the rest of your blog). I am hopeful I can adopt some of these verses into my heart and use them the next time I am feeling weak with temptation.
It’s so easy to feel alone, so thank you for reminding us that we are never alone in this journey.
You are surely not alone. Focus on taking things day by day and progress not perfection. I know its easy to let the thought of “Never binge again” actually keep us in that vicious cycle. I’m sending some prayers and virtual hugs to you as I know how rough this is. But you CAN make a change. Keep moving forward.
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