Can a Diet Change Your Desire to Overeat?
I've never had that happen, and here's why.
Colossians 2 says, "If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”?
These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh."
“Invite God into the process. He promises to make us new. He helps us understand the real reasons we overeat.”
These "regulations" or diet rules "are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh", When I tell myself I "can't have" certain foods because of diet rules, I crave the food more. The diet doesn't change my desire to overeat, but that's really what I need. I want to be set free from wanting excess food so I can live a joyful, meaningful life and carry a healthy amount of weight on my body. I want to prevent medical problems and pain in my knees!
What's the solution? Invite God into the process. He promises to make us new. He helps us understand the real reasons we overeat (overwhelm, avoidance, anxiety, anyone?). When we come to Him and pray, instead of going to the food, He will comfort us and give us ideas of other ways to spend our time until we actually have true physical hunger.
Even if we overeat, He is faithful to us and doesn't withhold His love. We can’t lose His love. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess this overeating to Him, He will forgive us and purify us. For me, this "purifying" means changed desires. I no longer want to keep eating when I'm full; God helps me move on and find something else to do with my time.
God isn't mad at you for overeating; He only wants you to come to Him. He knows the food will never truly satisfy you. He wants you to experience His mercy, care and love instead of the burden of overeating and excess weight.
Dear Lord, I pray for anyone reading this right now who struggles with overeating. Please help them to know you love them and want to help them. Help them go to you and not excess food. Amen