Last night, I wanted to overeat. It might surprise you to know that there are times I still struggle with this issue. I wasn't hungry. I wasn't in any emotional distress. But I desired to eat, even though my Spirit was telling me not to. Why?
I didn't know. But I did know that it was hurting my flesh to say "no" to myself at that moment. That is what makes discipline so difficult at times. It hurts! It is hard to endure that tension, that temporary pain of saying no. So we say "yes" to relieve the tension and that short-term pain, even though we know that we are ultimately hurting ourselves more in the long run.
But God showed me something in reading the bible last night. In John 14:16-18, Jesus said "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you (KJV)."
That's what I needed. I needed a Comforter to soothe the pain of denying my flesh. I needed the Comforter to strengthen me to be obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading.
So I asked in prayer: "God, I want to be Spirit led. But my flesh is burning. It wants to act in a way that is contrary to what the Spirit says is best for me right now. So I need my Comforter. Holy Spirit, comfort me."
I waited. My flesh still burned a little while, but I know God's word is true. When it says that I have a Comforter living inside of me in the person of the Holy Spirit, I believe it.
Then, blessed relief. Comfort came. The tension was gone.
Excited, I went off in search to learn more about the Holy Spirit as a Comforter. And I found this gem by Charles Spurgeon, a British preacher from the 1800s. This message spells out plainly why we can trust the Holy Spirit to comfort us in time of need.
http://www.nonprofitpages.com/elm/chs_comfort.htm
What an opportunity we have to get to know God as a comforter in this weight/emotional eating struggle! Try this approach and let me know how you grabbed your Comforter today!
Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the 'Take Back Your Temple' ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book
P.S. Many of you have written me to say that you have created books or music that you want to share. It's easier than ever to publish your works today! I recommend a self-publishing website called 'CreateSpace' which is owned by Amazon.com. You can create a FREE account there, upload your material, and make it for sale on Amazon.
I have a Free account there and have published many paperback books using that service. While it helps to have some computer knowledge, you can always use their paid services if you don't feel confident doing it all yourself.
If you've got a book or song inside of you, then I recommend you check out CreateSpace using the link below:
CreateSpace Self Publishing