It’s that time of year again-the
official start of the “candy holidays,” kicked off by Halloween. It can be
sheer torture, facing the overwhelming displays of treats now. There seems to
be candy everywhere! And, for a lot of us out there, it can trigger disordered
eating patterns.
So, what do we do? We can’t stop
Halloween- and all “candy holidays” from coming. No, it’s not an easy
situation. But, we can look for God’s perspective and help, even considering
the temptations and issues we face, dealing with candy and “trigger”
situations.
“All
things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are
lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
1 Corinthians 10:23
“All
things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are
lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
Candy, by itself, is neither evil, nor
good. It’s inanimate. It has no nutritional value; and yes, it’s loaded with
sugar, other preservatives and colors. The “moderation” issue, therefore, comes
into play. You and I will not die or have the worst case scenario, (whatever we
define that to be for our lives, such as the notoriously dreaded “getting fat”
fear) if we eat some candy, from time to time, in our lives.
However, we need to look at eating
candy as a choice; it has no nutritional value.
So, according to 1 Corinthians, it’s “lawful,” but does it “edify?”
Candy will not harm us, if, the constant
staples in our lives are healthy choices: healthy food, balanced exercise,
sleep, relationships, support and numerous daily spiritual, emotional and
physiological choices. It’s about an overall healthy lifestyle, not whether or not
we ate some candy corn today.
And let’s not forget, each of us has
help for our individual, unique lives.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble.”
Psalms
46:1
Yes, it’s challenging, facing the
overwhelming flavors, colors, choices- and emotional ties that Halloween candy
can represent to us. But remember, God has called us to a life that includes
enjoyment.
“…I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly.”’
John 10:10
Are you and I taking time to enjoy our
lives? For some of us out there, that may mean having some candy today; for others, it may mean
choosing another option.
Regardless of what you choose today,
“to candy or not to candy” (forgive me, Shakespeare), God is in control and loves
each of us unconditionally. He’s there, helping us, wanting us to succeed and
to experience His love and blessings.
So, look at candy with some newer eyes
today. It’s not your best friend or your worst enemy. It’s candy; that’s all.
And God is more powerful than it- and every trigger/disorder/issue surrounding
it.
Go to God, then, no matter what you
face concerning your struggles/disorders/issues with candy- or any other food,
for that matter. He IS there, now, for you! He will be, long after the candy-
and the candy holidays- are gone!
“…I
am with you always, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew
28:20
Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse
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