Food for Thought: April 6th

Giving Up Delusions

As we work the steps of the OA program, our new actions produce new thoughts. When we are ready, our Higher Power reveals new truths and gives us new insights.

Gradually, we give up old, deluded ways of thinking. We realize that we had put self at the center of the universe, and we see this to be a delusion. We may have secretly considered ourselves better than those around us. Once we honestly take inventory and face up to our defects, we can no longer believe this. Another common delusion is that material goals will bring us ultimate satisfaction. When we admit the pain we have caused ourselves and others by our insatiable cravings and demands for material things, we see that they are not the answer.

Most of us have harbored the delusion that one day we will be completely rid of the temptation to overeat, and that we will then be able to relax our efforts. It is our experience that continued effort is required to maintain abstinence and that only through daily dedication to the life of the spirit are we able to receive sanity, strength, and satisfaction from our Higher Power.

Take away my delusions, Lord, and show me Your truth.

From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L. ©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.

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It can get exhausting to think about food and abstinence & this whole compulsive overeating mess I find myself in. I don't delude myself that one day I will be completely and magically rid of the temptation to overeat, and that I can relax my efforts..........but boy howdy, I DO entertain that idea once in a while! There is no satisfaction in material things, including food, yet I sometimes delude myself that there IS.  Only by staying spiritually connected to God on a daily basis am I able to keep my life in proper perspective.

I do believe that I've put myself at the center of the universe for a long time, considering myself better than some others. Which is peculiar, since I've suffered from low self esteem for a lot of my life. But EGO has little to do with self-esteem..........and it's been my EGO telling me to hold myself up in comparison to others. Only by learning humility have I been able to put my ego aside and accept the fact that all human beings are created equal. I am no better or worse than anyone else.

For today, I will continue to learn to love mySELF without making comparisons to others. I will stop putting myself at the center of the universe and I will stop looking for 'stuff' to satisfy me. 

For today, I will seek my truth from God.