Tempting treats surround us this time of year. Food is a common way to express love and offer comfort all throughout the year but during the holidays we bring out even more favorite family recipes, and sweet treats seasoned with love. They are featured at varying size feasts as we gather to reminisce, create new traditions, celebrate, and make each other feel special.
Those are all lovely things, but there is also an ugly side to holiday eating. Stress eating is a real challenge for many and stress is magnified during this time of year. Holidays can send us on an emotional roller coaster that multiplies stress while offering lots of opportunities to eat. We sub-consciously stuff down our feelings and numb emotional pain as we stuff ourselves with food.
Giving into temptation and overeating during the holidays is easy, even for the most diligent. Often our food choices are unhealthy, laden with calories, and heavy on sugar. We tell ourselves we deserve it or, “I’ll just have one bite”. Then suddenly we realize we have consumed way more than “one bite” as we unbutton our jeans to let our expanding belly breathe.
We know that over indulgence causes damage physically, emotionally and spiritually, but we may feel like we are unable to control ourselves. Attending multiple holiday feasts with a smorgasbord of our favorite foods and sweet treats takes extra self-awareness and effort to stay on track.
We can change our reaction by viewing holiday eating as a spiritual experience, an opportunity to draw closer to God. With continual prayer, increased awareness, and intentional planning we can find ourselves putting God first, instead of our desire to indulge. By doing this we minimize emotional pain and avoid gaining holiday pounds.
I Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
E.A. Fussell
11.26.2023
Lord, help us this holiday season. As our emotions soar, wrap us in Your love and surround us with Divine comfort that no earthly sensation can match. Help us plan in advance and be prepared. Then when temptation and emotional triggers threaten to send us out of control help us stand firm, holding onto You. Let us remember that Your promise is faithful and Your Spirit will guide us in how to escape each earthly trap. Thank You that we can always turn to You for help. Help us do just that, turn away from our emotions and run to You. Strengthen us in this season and draw us ever closer to You. Amen.
E. A. Fussell 