I was raised with all sorts of rewards. I got rewards for good behavior, good school work, the fact that we all survived a hard day... all were worthy of reward.
My Mom's heart was always in the right place. She also deserved way more rewards than I did! I know she used other rewards than food to "celebrate" but those are the ones that stuck with me--- literally. For my adult live, especially since we moved to Idaho, my way of rewarding myself was with food. It was comforting, soothing. Made me feel like I had accomplished something of value (whether I did or not!) and it made me happy.
Eating out is a "reward" so I should get to pick whatever I want, right? It is not something we do every day so when we do it - it should be extra great and I should eat whatever sounds the most yummiest!
Here is what ONE of the zillions of scriptures in the NIV says about "reward" (Colossians 3:23-24)
23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
My "reward" is NOT a hot fudge sundae. It is NOT a basket of onion rings or a really great tasting piece of chocolate cake with the best frosting ever. MY REWARD is my inheritance from the Lord - for doing what? For doing whatever He asks with all my heart as unto HIM and not for men --- not even myself!! HELLO! I am feeling the conviction and the awareness for a major paradigm shift in my thinking...
My REWARD is not related to Food in any way. My demise is specifically related to food! How in the world can I work at all He asks me to do with all my heart - working for Him (not myself or others) if I don't have any energy. My body polluted with stuff that does not bring Life but death... Ugh!
I gotta take this one to Him. I have some repenting to do and I am looking forward to exactly what the Bible says in Romans 12:1-2 "1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Praise the Lord! I pray this encourages and strengthens your faith today! I love His Word and the Life changing power that comes in it!
We must never forget that on this journey we have ALL the strength and power we need to walk in this new way - just like Romans 8:11 says
11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
God bless you today with a deep awareness of His love for you. His Passion for your freedom in all areas of your life is revealed in His Word of Truth. Savor it. Live it. Love Him.
Big hugs to each of you on this journey with me!
oooh, That is amazing and I love you so very much for sharing. You are one of my most inspirational people. I know you might not know that, but I truly love you and you bring me joy!
ReplyDeleteariel
nice! great insight! thanks for your truthful heart and honesty. Love you sis! S J
ReplyDeleteJen this is so great and such an inspiration for all of us on this journey with you. With reference to rewards, get rid of the scale. It is just too easy to use this as a rewards monitor. If you loose a pound or two then a reward can be justified, and if no weight has come off then why not just bag the whole deal and go back to the same old same old. Either way the path to transformation is sabotaged. I challenge you to do this at least for the next five weeks.
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