Food for Thought: March 7th

Accepting Abstinence

Abstinence is not so much something we achieve as it is a gift from our Higher Power. It is given to us constantly, from the time we wake up in the morning through every minute of the day.

If we think of abstinence as something we have to acquire through great effort, we will be afraid that we will fail. We will think of weeks and months and years stretching ahead of us and say, "I'll never make it."

Abstinence is given to us now, each day, and all we need to do is accept it. It is not something we do only in order to lose a certain number of pounds. By abstaining, we will lose the pounds, but when we are at our desired weight we continue to maintain abstinence. Abstinence is our freedom from compulsive overeating and the gift of new life.

Thank you, Lord, for abstinence.

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

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Abstinence is simple...........I refrain from compulsive overeating by sticking to a pre-determined Food Plan.  Period.  Whether I 'feel like it' or not, I stick to my Food Plan because if I don't, chaos prevails.  The power of 'choice' comes back into my life and, as an addict, I do not deal well with choice.  When I remove the power of choice is when I thrive.  My Food Plan provides me with no choice; thankfully, so the 'should I' 'shouldn't I' question need NOT be asked.

Abstinence is freedom from addiction.

Abstinence is a gift from God.

Abstinence is peace & sanity.

Abstinence is  very, very simple.  It may not be 'easy', but it is certainly easIER than practicing the insanity of compulsive overeating!!!!!!!!

For today, I am thankful for the gift of freedom.