Just Rewards
Justifying is something that I do so easily. I justify my reason for eating in so many ways: "I had bad news from the doctor. I need chocolate to calm my nerves.", "I got a promotion. Let's celebrate by going to that all you can eat buffet."
I may feel justified with these actions but God is a just God. If I sin or believe lies and act on those, there are consequences.
Going to God's word for truth helps me a great deal:
"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.
I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love. I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father." John 15:4-15
I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love. I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father." John 15:4-15
When I came to this passage I was searching for healthy outlets for my strong emotions (joy, pain, fear, etc.). After reading this passage I realized that if I am connected intimately with Christ as my best friend, my first thoughts when strong emotions well up will not be to "justify" an unhealthy activity.
I was a teacher of preteens for over 10 years. I saw first hand how peer pressure got students in trouble. When students made friends with trouble makers and made bad choices, they invariably tried to "justify" their actions.
Food addiction is letting Satan be your best friend. He pulls you toward the unhealthy activities.
If I am nervous, I need to take my hurt, bruised feelings to Christ. As my friend, he will guide me toward a better way (take a walk, wrap up with a heating pad and hot tea, etc.) The music video below shows red cups on strings being placed throughout the city (a symbol of communicating with God - speaking and listening). Taking the time to stop and listen or to wrap myself in the Word of love instead of running toward food will allow me to have Just Rewards.
Heavenly Father, please help me to focus on my relationship with You and not on my feelings. Sometimes my head is in the clouds and I don't realize that Christ is alive and standing beside me as my friend. He is my example of how to love my self and love others. Lord the need to turn to food is so easy and the road to unhealthy eating habits is so well-worn - please help me turn to you for the answers. In my Lord Jesus Christ's name I plea, Amen.
Broken from worshiphousemedia on GodTube.
Paul Baloche - The Same Love (Official Music Video) from integritymusic on GodTube.
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