Fulfillment from a higher source than food

Caron Cosden

A friend of mine once told me about a time when she had loaded up her plate at a Thanksgiving feast and sat down to eat. But then she noticed a friend's plate had spaces where the plate was showing. She said that experience had taught her something about moderation.

I thought about this conversation several years ago, when I was distressed about various things in my life. In order to soothe the pain, I would eat. Candy bars, in particular, gave me a boost and helped fill the emptiness I felt—temporarily, at least. Just about every day, I'd go to the local convenience store just to buy candy bars, and would eat two or three at a time.

I was disappointed with myself over this lack of self-control, and also over the weight I gained as a result. But I seemed to be stuck in the habit, unable to break free.

One day, as I was praying, a verse from the Bible came clearly to mind: "Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:14). I wondered, "Why is that coming to me? Eating candy isn't a sin." But I knew the behavior pattern I had fallen into wasn't right, and was only making my life unhappier. I thought about how this verse might apply to my situation, because I felt that this message had come as an answer to prayer and was one I should heed.

I began to see that I had power from God to overcome the impulse to eat sweets. Just because the desire for candy presented itself didn't mean that I had to obey it. If I turned to God in moments of emotional pain, I could get filled up with the inspired ideas He gives us, which are much more substantial than candy.

As I followed through on my resolve to better understand God's control of my life, the desire for sweets that had had such a hold on me began to recede. I was drawing more consistently on God's grace to help me when I felt empty. Instead of discouragement, I was feeling much more at peace.

Because of the strength I was gaining from more conscious connection with God, I found solutions to the situations that had been bothering me. I lost weight, too! Not through willpower or sacrifice (I still have a candy bar sometimes), but from the genuine feeling of fullness that I got when I listened for divine inspiration.

Now, I love filling up on what I'm learning about myself as a daughter of God, and His power in my life. Through looking to a higher source for satisfaction, I'm feeding myself more with prayer and less with chocolate!

Caron Cosden
Cape Coral, Florida

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