It’s the final week of our Taking Care of You series! So many of you have written to share how you’re recommitting to self-care.
Let’s jump into the final week. Today’s topic is a big one - Emotional Eating! What is emotional eating? There's lots of technical ways to define it, but I like this one: “Emotional eating is when your stomach gets invited to a problem it has absolutely nothing to do with.”
Anytime we discuss food, it can be complicated. We need food to survive. We can also use food to show love and build connection with others. At the same time, for many of us, food has become a stronghold or stumbling block.
In light of all of that, we need to talk about emotional eating as part of our taking care of ourselves. For some, this will be a difficult, yet necessary devotion, and I am praying for you! As you read, ask God to help you be open to His leading and ask Him to lead you to freedom from emotional eating.
THE COST OF EMOTIONAL EATING
The best example of the cost of emotional eating in Scripture is the story of Esau and Jacob, twin brothers with a strained relationship. In Genesis 25, Esau arrives home after hunting. Notice his state of mind:
One day, Esau arrived back at their family home and he was tired and hungry. His younger brother, Jacob, was cooking, and grumpy Esau declared: “ Esau said to Jacob, 'I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!”
Was Esau actually starving? Likely not. Earlier in the chapter we’re told that Esau was a skilled hunter. He could have shot, killed, and cooked something while he was out hunting. Even if he had bad luck hunting, he wasn’t starving because his father, Isaac, was a wealthy man.
Nonetheless, he barks at his younger brother, Jacob, whose name means "supplanter" or "deceiver," to give him food. Looks like Jacob has been waiting for a moment to live up to his name. Notice what he asks for and pay attention to Esau’s response:
But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.
I suspect that Jacob had been waiting to trick Esau. But it should have been this easy. Esau should have given Jacob side-eye at such an outrageous request. A bowl of stew in exchange for a double portion of an inheritance and leadership of their family? There’s no comparison! Since Isaac was wealthy, Esau’s birthright was very valuable.
Yet, Esau didn’t care. He was hungry in that moment. Even though Esau had so much to gain, his desire to fill his stomach cost him that future blessing. Many of us can relate. Emotional eating is costly to our future if we’re not paying attention. I don’t think that I’m saying anything that you don’t already know.
Too often, we minimize emotional eating. We assume it’s not harming anyone until our scale or our doctor raises a concern. But God takes it seriously. Later in Hebrews 12:16, Esau was called godless and immoral for disregarding his inheritance and influence for a bowl of stew.
It seems so harsh that the New Testament writer would be so harsh.
More than just calories and weight gain, emotional eating offers a temporary shortcut to relief, but robs us of long-term healing and blessing that only God can provide.
WHAT ARE WE LOSING OUT FOR OUR BOWL OF STEW?
Once upon a time, I had a passionate relationship with Snickers bars. I loved them so much because they always made me feel better whenever I was overwhelmed, lonely, or sad. I could always count on that sugary chocolate bar to soothe my nerves.
Even though I’ve never had a weight problem, years ago, God made it clear that I was substituting food for comfort instead of turning to Him for help, redirection, correction, or peace.
When we use emotional eating as a rescue for our emotions, we’re just like Esau, trading out spiritual blessing for a temporary soothing.
Sitting down with a bowl of salty chips instead of seeking God’s peace.
Preparing your favorite comfort meal instead of seeking the Comforter (God’s Spirit) to minister to your heart.
Pouring that regular nightly glass of wine instead of winding down with God’s Word and finding help for your anxiety.
Again, there’s nothing wrong with chips, good food, or even the occasional glass of wine (if you don’t drink, this doesn’t apply to you). However, if you’re feeling a prompting or nudging from God about a certain food or beverage, then read this verse and ask this question:
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. -1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
QUESTION: Are there any specific food(s) you’ve been eating that make it hard for you to live out this verse?
LET’S GET PRACTICAL
As someone with a history of emotional eating, I sense God inviting me to not keep desserts in my home during our family’s addiction crisis and for many years after. I was vulnerable during those years and as my my dear friend, Jill Savage, says, “Why sign up to give yourself a headache?”
I didn't skip dessert during those years. but, if I made a dessert, I'd send the rest home with people. On rare occasions, I'd throw the rest away if there was no one around to take it. (I know that is extreme, but I preferred the consequence of wasting food rather than the consequences overeating.)
Making that decision wasn’t easy, but it brought me peace - and it removed temptation so that I would turn to God instead of turning to sweets when I was stressed or sad. I'm not saying that this is what you need to do, but I wanted to share my experience.
I want to share some practical next steps with you, but keep this in mind: God’s power is more effective than your willpower. So if you feel God’s prompting you to make a change, His power will help you change! These aren’t in any particular order:
- Switch to online grocery shopping. Select your groceries online to reduce impulse buys. Of course, it's possible to still overbuy online, but selecting your food outside of the store can be a helpful if you tend to add things to your cart while strolling in the store.
- Discern your “just in case they come over” foods. Look in your pantry and notice how many foods you buy “just in case.” Yes, we like to be prepared if people come over, but often, those “just in case” foods are also foods we’re happy to eat without company, right? You can keep “just in case” foods, but consider buy the the ones that don't tempt you.
- Give Up ONE Stumbling Block. What food(s) are your emotional kryptonite? If one or more foods came to mind as you read, would you pick one and give it up today? Be warned, your body will fight back, and you’ll want to give in. But surrender is your path to peace. Consider keeping my short Surrendered Prayer on repeat: God, I can’t. But You Can. I will let You. Amen. (For stubborn emotional eating, seeking professional help may be wise.-
- Don’t Tackle Emotional Eating Alone! If you know that big changes are needed, check out my friends at First Place 4 Health (click here). This is a long-time Christian organization that focuses on honoring God with our bodies.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! If today's devotion resonated with you, let me know! Just comment with the word “Food” and I'll know that you feel God's prompting on this topic. Of course, you'll welcome to let me know more - and if you're going to try one of the next steps. I'd love to hear from you!
