Food: Servant or Master?
Food used to be our master. The mental obsession with food and the craving for more controlled our life. As we recover, we begin to see just how much we were in slavery to food and our appetite. We know that no matter how long we abstain and recover from our disease, we will always be powerless over food. The idea that we will one day be able to eat spontaneously is the most dangerous delusion we can entertain.
By abstaining from compulsive overeating every day of our life, we make food our servant rather than our master. We eat what we need to nourish our body, but we do not permit eating for comfort, excitement, or any other emotional reason. Whatever it takes to remain abstinent is what we are willing to do each day.
Never forgetting that we are always one mouthful away from a binge ensures that food will remain our servant.
Today and every day, may I serve You instead of food.
From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L.
©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.Food used to be our master. The mental obsession with food and the craving for more controlled our life. As we recover, we begin to see just how much we were in slavery to food and our appetite. We know that no matter how long we abstain and recover from our disease, we will always be powerless over food. The idea that we will one day be able to eat spontaneously is the most dangerous delusion we can entertain.
By abstaining from compulsive overeating every day of our life, we make food our servant rather than our master. We eat what we need to nourish our body, but we do not permit eating for comfort, excitement, or any other emotional reason. Whatever it takes to remain abstinent is what we are willing to do each day.
Never forgetting that we are always one mouthful away from a binge ensures that food will remain our servant.
Today and every day, may I serve You instead of food.
****************************************************************
Being a slave to food is a terrible thing. I once thought food was more important than anything or anybody on earth, even God. Admitting powerlessness over food is a liberating thing.
Nowadays, 4 years into recovery, I am still powerless over food and still liberated because of that powerlessness. To think I can eat spontaneously, and in 'moderation', is a dangerous delusion indeed!
I no longer live to eat, I eat to live. Food serves the purpose of fueling my body to keep it alive; not to entertain or comfort me. Whatever it takes to remain abstinent is what I will DO. The knowledge that I am always but one bite away from relapse keeps me on track and willing to stay vigilant with my food plan.
For today, I thank God for this program and commit myself TO it. For today, I choose not to make food my master. For today, I refuse to be a slave to my imaginary appetite. I will be grateful to eat 6 small meals, knowing that it's plenty of nourishment for 24 hours.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.