Perspective

“Friends, acquaintances, even family often think warriors are obsessed or compulsive, but that isn’t true. Obsessive and compulsive behaviors are, by definition, traits of individuals unable to control themselves. The warrior is just the opposite; he is the model of control. The warrior doesn’t seek pain, fear, fatigue, and the other unpleasant byproducts of constant training because he likes them. But he knows they are obstacles between him and his objectives. His goal is to overcome them, and he knows that to defeat an enemy, he must attack. It isn’t that the warrior is driven. He is the driver.” Living the Martial Way by Forrest Morgan as quoted by Nate Self in Two Wars

I read the above Sunday after hearing a sermon on Ephesians 6:10-18. In this passage, Paul admonishes us to put on the full armor of God because we are in a battle. And in this battle, we are to take a proactive position. We are to stand firm and fight, not cower and hide.

In 2002, Nate Self, Team Leader of Army Rangers, led his platoon into Afghanistan to rescue a missing soldier. Their helicopter was shot down while trying to land and Nate led a skirmish against Al-Qaeda in which several of his platoon members were killed in action. Nate quotes the above toward the beginning of his book while describing his training. Those who fight for the United States of America endure rigorous physical and mental exercises to prepare for war. They zip down ropes, memorize creeds, battle scenarios and tactics, run for hours with heavy equipment on their backs, and go without sleep and food. They are cut off from the rest of the world, immersed in various live-fire mission drills.

Right now soldiers are half-way around the world fighting for our right to sit on our butts and eat bon-bons while watching reality TV shows that are anything but reality. They take up their sword (weapon) every day to fight for my freedom to live a complacent life. And I’m complaining about how hard it is to say “No” to an extra piece of pie or one more serving of pasta. Wow. . . . Shame on me!

My perspective is off. I am a warrior in a battle like Nate and his buddies. I am called to prepare for battle—hide his word in my heart, pray, and put on the armor of God. Then I can “stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11). God equips me as the U.S. Government equips our armed forces.

The next time I am tempted to go for a second serving (even though I’m full) I may think of Nate and what he suffered to protect me and my family. Maybe my conflict won’t appear so difficult and I will easily say “No.”

WINNER!

The winner of Pure Emotion by Susan Lawrence is Diana DePriest! Please contact me with your snail mail so I can send it to Susan. THANKS!

If this blog encourages you:

• Spread the word through email.
• Post on facebook or twitter.
• Become a follower.
• Subscribe to receive posts through email.
• Grab my button and add it to your blogsite.

Guest Blogger: Susan Lawrence, Pure Emotion Book Giveaway

I am so excited to introduce Susan Lawrence as a guest this week. Susan encourages women through writing and speaking and is blessing one of you with her hot-off-the-presses new Bible Study Pure Emotion. Here is a partial description of the study from her website: "If your emotions aren’t reflecting the character of God…well, you’re probably distorting something and need to get back on track. That’s what this journey is about. Growing closer to God, getting to know him better, and committing to reflecting him more and more on a daily basis." Keep reading for entry details.

Too Full for Dessert?

“If you’re too full to finish your supper, you’re too full for dessert.”

Don’t you know we have separate stomachs for different food groups? Oh, wait. Cows have separate stomachs. People have one. Well, it seems like we have different stomachs. We’re not hungry for one type of food but craving another.

I Eat When I'm Bored

I had surgery in early March. Since then my movements and capabilities have been restricted. I’ve been forced to clear my calendar and wait out the healing process. The end result: boredom.

Hope, Help & Healing for Eating Disorders Book Review

The following is a book review of Hope, Help & Healing for Eating Disorders by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD with Ann McMurray. I received this book for free from Blogging for Books.
  

As a person who writes about food issues and how they relate to spiritual issues, I found the methods referred to in this book more useful and biblically accurate than many other methods. Using a whole-person approach which includes a spiritual element, the authors tackle difficult eating disorders and what they have coined as “disordered eating.” It was especially refreshing to hear them tie a person’s present day eating issues to past problems and spiritual issues. For instance, on page 26, they state, “The more you turn to a physical comfort like food, the less likely you are to turn to God for spiritual comfort.” Dr. Jantz and Ms. McMurray do not shy away from the tough stuff. For example, on page 42 they say, “By controlling what you eat, you are really trying to control that terrible pain.”

The authors use stories to relate to the reader on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Once the authors have established credibility, they guide the reader through the healing process using a multi-level approach. They write about anger, fear, guilt, and shame followed by forgiveness, the perfect Father, and learning to live. They unapologetically explain, “Blame only fuels the pain. Forgiveness dilutes its power.” (p. 54) and “. . . truth has the ability to heal. . . . Your truth is safe in God’s love.” (p. 62) “Self-hate argues against the truth of God’s love for you and the great value you have. . . . You can decide to stop listening to your self-hate and decide to hear the truth of God’s love for you.” (p. 138)

I recommend this book for anyone suffering through an eating disorder or disordered eating patterns. This book may also be beneficial for those related to someone with an eating disorder or a disordered eating pattern. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Please take a moment to rate this review.



I would love to give this book away. If you struggle with an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, or habitually overeating) or disordered eating and believe you would benefit from reading this book, please send me a private message or email.