Disciplined Women - Overindulgence

In today’s turbulent world, God needs disciplined men and women--soldiers tried, true, and battle-ready! In summary, the plight of modern man is a striving for the road of self-indulgence. The way of least resistance is the goal. Sacrifice, discipline, restraint--these words present “ideas” that are hard to come by in our generation.

Before commencing this series, allow this lesson figuratively, to shape an alliance with individuals who aspire to growing and overcoming those areas in their own lives that they long to have victory in.

Our emphasis is on overindulgence. There is a need for us all to be self-controlled in our eating habits and temperate with our food choices. This article is not a campaign designed to pick on chubby women. The purpose is for us all to link together and learn what being disciplined means and how we can apply it in a practical sense, to a variety of ways in our own lives.

There is character shallowness in our culture and a dire need for disciplined living. The truth is, we are living in an age wired for sound, but the sounds are ominous.

Having decided to run a series on the specific disciplines required to soar in the Christian life and have a profound influence on others, whilst developing personal character; this week, we will focus on weight. Following on from this discipline, we will highlight and expound on a different subject. We will have plenty to chew on (pardon the pun).

“Discipline is what moderns need the most and want the least. Much of our restlessness and instability can be traced to a lack of discipline. Our overflowing asylums, our jails, and hospitals, are but symptoms of an undisciplined age. There may be many secondary causes and there may be many secondary cures, but somewhere behind these is the need for discipline. The kind of discipline needed is far deeper than the rule of alarm clocks and time cards; it embraces self-restraint, courage, perseverance, and resiliency as the inner panoply of the soul” – The Disciplined Life by Richard S. Taylor

Many nervous and emotional disorders are the accumulated result of years of self-indulgent living. A lifelong pattern of running away from difficulties, of avoiding incompatible people, of seeking the easy way, of quitting when the going gets rough, finally shows up in neurotic semi-invalidism and incapacity. Numerous books read, many doctors and preachers consulted, innumerable prayers offered, and religious commitments made; the patient (sufferer) inundated with drugs, advice, costly treatment, and spiritual scourging; yet none lay bare the real cause - a lack of discipline. Moreover, the only real cure is to become a disciplined person.

Notwithstanding, there are those afflicted with nervous and emotional disorders, none of which they hold the very least responsibility. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of mental and physical defects that can develop in a fetus in association with high levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. We have primary disabilities and we have secondary disabilities.

What was conclusive and what stood out in these extensive tests, were as in any gift and talent, these children and adults improved, and went onto living successful lives, whilst a treatment plan involving a disciplined structure was introduced and applied each day – “Trying different rather than harder,” Dr. D. Malbin

The root cause filtered down through generations of countless cases of ADHD, FAS, and numerous medical research and data on so many hidden disabilities; trace down to a lack of discipline. Inadvertently or not, discipline presents itself as a cause with an effect.

We all struggle with discipline in one or more areas of our lives.

The Bible says, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” Weakness is demonstrated when we weaken through self-induced illness, by blaming others, by resigning, by displays of “nerves” – almost any method which presents the possibility of escape. Strength of character developed through consistent disciplined living, can face adversities without fainting.

One of the greatest disciplines is the ability to say “no” in what we eat and how often we eat. So many excuses made for us and they provide nothing more than an escape from what we fear or dread, rather than a means of strengthening our character.  So many times, pushing the goal aside of being in control of personal weight has left nothing more than feelings of failure and a lack of focus.

The first step toward change is through acknowledging the weakness. Once we claim this before God, He is more than able and willing to give us the necessary strength and wisdom to mastermind an eating plan. The Bible says, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19

Where there is a sincere desire to do the will of God, no Christian should live to gratify his own inclinations or appetite. How we need to remind ourselves of this daily. Paul said, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:” 1 Corinthians 9:27

The source of our joy, whether we have acknowledged or have an awareness of, is our Heavenly Father. Overeating may satisfy the flesh for a moment, but the effect over time is nothing but disappointment and disempowerment. Food does not control us! We control food, and losing weight begins in a decision. A decision to discipline your mind and your appetite every day is more common than you think.

Most recently, this article written by the Diabetes Association in Australia has been very enlightening, and to share the information with you seemed a good step. Do you realize how food portions have changed in twenty-years? http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion/

To the right of the page, it reads ‘Portion Distortion I.’ If you click on this line, you will then go to a series of questions. As my family and I went through the test, we had a good laugh. When it was over, we realized that we ate too much. We too are victims of portion distortion.

As Disciples of Christ, we ought to be disciplined ones, partially or effectively. Discipline in the Greek language is a learner. Whether you desire discipline for your life, you are on the road to more discipline, or you are highly disciplined; we will never stop learning. The case for applying this knowledge stands strong. Do not use it experimentally. Use it wisely and ask God to give you the strength to bring it into effect.

I love you and I believe in you,

Deborah