Diet & Wisdom Appetizers

Two weeks ago I decided to lay my sugar addiction on the altar and give it to God for the 40 days of Lent. Now that I’m smack dab in the middle of my monthly Pretty Mean Sister (PMS) stage, I’m starting to have serious doubts about that decision. What was I thinking?

It turns out there IS NO substitute for sugar, most specifically chocolate when hormones are all over the map and I’m as jumpy as a barefoot tourist on hundred degree day at the beach. I find myself walking back and forth to the pantry constantly throughout my day for something – anything I can eat that will satisfy these urges.

To combat the sugar cravings I’ve doubled my intake of fresh fruit, which can lead to some uncomfortable digestive side-effects, details of which I’ll spare you the ugliness of. Because of the fiber, an apple is infinitely more filling than chocolate but has a long way to go on the emotional satisfaction meter. Now if I could dip that apple in chocolate or caramel – then yeah, it might get the job done. Clearly, I know this is not an option. But I can’t seem to convince my brain to stop thinking about chocolate.

It has been my pattern to push the envelope each month during my hormonal power surges and ignore the rules of sensible eating for 5 – 7 days each month. Since I’ve made this commitment to get healthy this year, pushing the envelope isn’t exactly allowed. Darn! When a woman has been having regular monthly hormonal power surges for as long as I have, it’s hard to manufacture a different mindset. I’ve always used sugar as a coping mechanism during this time of the month.

Once I started my weight loss journey in January, I was able to find healthy alternatives to the chocolate/sweet thing during that time of the month. There are a number of low-calorie sweet treats out there that adequately satisfy your sweet tooth. But during this 40-day period for me – there are no alternatives.

Even as I type this and my body is craving chocolate, I’m hearing that still small voice reminding me of what sacrifice really means. It’s almost as if I can see my Lord stretched out on the cross and him looking down at me saying, “Oh really, you’re uncomfortable and miserable?”

It brings tears to my eyes that I could even for a second compare my discomfort of sugar withdrawals to my Lord’s suffering. Whew – I’m a big selfish mess, aren’t I? Some days it’s hard to wrap my brain around the fact that He could still love me as I am. Luckily I don’t have to analyze it – just accept it. Thank you, Lord!

It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves. ~ Edmund Hillary

“153 Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.” Psalm 119:53 (NIV)

PRAYER FOR TODAY: I know sugar withdrawal is nothing compared to what you suffered, Lord, and I’m sorry for being so focused on myself. The fact remains that my suffering is very real to me and I’m feeling extremely weak and challenged. I’m consumed with fear that I’ll be tempted to stop and buy something to alleviate this very real addiction and I don’t want to. Please give me strength to get through this day. I ask all these things in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.