christineyountjones.com

This journey is a spiritual journey–filled with wisdom from God and learning to walk closer to Him.

But there are times that I need practical physical steps. It’s one thing to pray about mindful eating, but it’s another to live it out.

I’ve asked God How do I maintain focus?

And I sensed God asking me, “How do you focus on anything?”

At first, I thought I focused on nothing, but then thought of when I’m focusing on food. What do I do?

I pay attention to the urge.
I think about it.
I plan for it.
I act on it.

These are the four steps of focus! And I need to apply them to my hunger.

In God’s goodness, here’s an acrostic (that when I stop to remember it, helps me say NOPE to eating.)

Notice the urge.
Observe.
Plan.
Engage.

If we use this when we crave but aren’t hungry, we’ll be more mindful.

Here’s how it works. I’m watching a TV show and I think “Nutella.” (the urge) Then I think, “We have Nutella.” (0bserve) I think, “I could go get some and eat it with a spoon.” (plan) I get up and go get the Nutella and eat it–even though I’m not really hungry. (engage)

Instead, I could’ve said NOPE! and focused on something else.

Here’s what to do instead–just say YES!

Yield to hunger–only.
Extol God.
Savor.

When I say YES, I wait until I’m genuinely experiencing hunger (and truthfully, food tastes better then). I stop to extol or praise God who gives us all good things. And then I eat slowly and savor each bite.

In fact, the eating, tasting, savoring can become an act of worship as we continue to extol and praise God for the wonderful things He has made, for the freedom He has given us, for His Spirit who bears the fruit of self-control in us.

Say YES to God today!

“God gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free.” Psalm 146:7

Praise God!