The increase of fear is not a coincidence.

Jesus warned that the love of many would grow cold because wickedness would abound in the last days (Matthew 24:12). The bible tells us that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

You see evidence of lawlessness, offense, and instability all around you. And when you focus on that, you naturally become more fearful.

Then your mind starts to focus on “What if…”

• “What if I lose my job?”
• “What if we lose our house?”
• “What if I never get married?”
• “What if my husband leaves me?”
• “What if this is cancer?”

But Jesus never told us to focus on “What ifs.” Instead, he told us to focus on “Let not”:

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27.

If you are born again, then Jesus has given you the gift of peace. Your job is to guard your heart so that it is not troubled and afraid. I have to remind myself of that often!

The real question is, “Even if your worst fear came true, do you believe that you could handle it with Jesus’ help?”

Meditating on Jesus’ perfect love for you casts out fear. It gives you confidence and strength to face life’s challenges. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!

The apostle Paul advises in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.”

So when you feel fearful, pay attention to your thoughts. What are you dwelling on? I recently learned that the Hebrew word for “dwell” means “to sit down”. Dwell also means to “live in”.

There is a difference between having fearful, anxious thoughts enter your mind for a moment (you can’t help that) versus choosing to “sit down” or “live” in them!

Here is a great free bible study I recently completed called “The Heart of the Matter is the Matter of the Heart”. I think it will help you ensure your heart is right and see how important it is to guard it:

The Heart of the Matter Free Bible Study

May this study bless you and help you to keep your heart untroubled and unafraid!

Be blessed in health, healing and wholeness,

Kimberly Floyd
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

P.S. If you need audio inspiration to release fear and anxiety, then I strongly recommend that you own Rhonda Jones’ Christian Meditation audio series.

On the page below, she has a free audio sample you can listen to. Just scroll down and you’ll see the sample.

Christian Meditation audio sample

A chef right here in Georgia came up with the idea of a cheeseburger on a doughnut. Why am I not surprised?

Critics are calling it “a heart attack waiting to happen.” What do I say? Well, I do like Krispy Kreme doughnuts (although I haven’t had one in a long time) and I like hamburgers (although not cheeseburgers).

But picturing the two together made my stomach queasy. Does that mean that I would advise someone else who wanted one not to eat it?

No. You see, in the Take Back Your Temple eBook, I advise the SANE approach to eating. The ‘N’ in S.A.N.E stands for ‘No food is forbidden’. Since it is human nature to want the very thing that you are forbidden to have, I advise that you don’t forbid yourself to have any food.

At the same time, you need to ensure that the foods you eat regularly help you and don’t harm you . The bible advises in Proverbs 23:1-3:

“When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

Consider carefully what is before you;

And put a knife to your throat

If you are a man given to appetite.

Do not desire his delicacies,

For they are deceptive food.”

Many modern processed foods impair your body’s natural hunger/fullness signals, which can lead to out-of-control cravings and overeating. Remember the potato chip slogan, “Bet you can’t eat just one”? It is true! That statement applies to many junk foods and the manufacturers like it that way. The more you eat, the more money they make.

My advice is to learn about the foods you eat regularly and the effect they have on your body. For example, if you eat a Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger regularly and find that it makes you bloated, drains your energy, or causes you to have a skin rash, then you may choose to avoid that food by personal decision.

That’s the difference. When you forbid something based on what someone else says, your natural instinct is to rebel against that authority: “You can’t make me!”

But when you’ve experienced the negative effects for yourself and decide that you don’t want them, then you are much more likely to stick with your decision. You own it.

The fact is, having a Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger once a year (or any other unhealthy food rarely) probably won’t hurt you – unless you are allergic. It’s the foods that you eat over and over again every day that can.

Your wisest move is to establish a baseline of healthy eating. I advise that you eat healthy at least 80-90% of the time. That way, you can save the 10-20% for less healthy eating at birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions.

It’s a win/win situation: You can stay healthy and enjoy the taste of some of the unhealthy stuff…just once in a while.

Be blessed in health, healing and wholeness,

Kimberly Floyd
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

As we have showered or bathe this morning and start the day fresh and anew, so do we in the spirit.
As we stepped outside of our home, our comfort zone to effect a better and profitable day as Christ Jesus had stepped out of his comfort zone and done so on our behalf, so do we in the spirit that we might help others in the most trying area(s) of their lives. 

Once again we thank you for all things and especially for forgiving us of our sins, even now.  Continue to shower us with your love which is able to both cleanse us spiritually and naturally. 

Horton heard a “Who”!  You have heard us; your people, your who! 

For “WE ARE HERE!” and we sing praises unto you; that’s “Who”! 

WE WILL TRUST YOU!!!! 

Amen

Anyway, yesterday morning he gave me a great message. I wasn’t sure when I was going to post it, but a dear lady named Keila from Brazil emailed me last night. In it, she mentioned a challenge she is going through and wrote these words:

“Jesus will hold my hand each second!”

That was confirmation to post this message now because the scripture God gave me to meditate on early yesterday morning was this:

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)

When I wrote my free “I Want to Know Who God Is” ebook, I discovered the two words used to describe God most in the bible are ‘strength’ and ‘righteous’.

Who sits at God’s right hand? Jesus! That Isaiah scripture is one of my favorites but I never made the Jesus connection before now.  Jesus is the right hand that God sent to uphold us – he strengthens us, helps us, and leads us into righteousness – right standing with God and guidance on the right way to live.

I was compelled to read Romans next – I started out reading a few scriptures but ended up reading the whole book. Jesus was sent to help us who are weak and unrighteous – slaves to sin while we live in this body.

Jesus came to whoop sin’s behind (that image makes me smile) – triumphing over it each and every time while he lived in flesh just like ours, being tempted in every way we are tempted. And when the devil tried to kill him – fighting him even to the grave – Jesus defeated sin and death in the grave, emerging triumphant in his glorified body. He left sin and death behind in his dead earthly body!

That is what you have to look forward to as well – no more having to fight against sin in this “body of death” as Paul calls it. You will be truly free. But until that time, Jesus sent you the Holy Spirit so that you too can gain the victory over your flesh, just as Jesus did when he lived in his earthly body.

To gain the victory, we must commit to the following:

• Being led by the Spirit (Galatians 5:15-18)
• Abiding in God’s word so that we know truth (John 8:31-32)
• Set our minds on things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5-6)

As we do these things, the bible promises we will reign in life.

What a friend and brother, Savior, we have in Jesus! And if you don’t know him personally yet and want to know how you can welcome (or re-welcome) him into your life, here is how you can.

Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,

Kimberly Floyd
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

P.S. One of the most important things you’ll need to do to overcome eating issues is to renew your mind. That’s why one of the bonuses in the Take Back Your Temple eBook is “Prayers and Promises to Take Back Your temple”.

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

In this special bonus, you get over a dozen scriptures and prayers specifically related to God’s promises for health and strength so you can gain physical, emotional, and spiritual victory every day. Check it out!

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

Nicole actually wrote me over 1 month ago in response to my “Women Food and God” review. She wrote that it drew her to tears and the message that God wants to heal your pain really spoke to her. She told me then that it inspired her to confront her own eating behavior and to write a poem about it.

And this week, she sent that poem to me. I read most of it with my hand over my mouth, overcome with emotion.

I asked Nicole if I could share her story and poem with you. She agreed to share all of it. I believe it will be the catalyst for others who are hurting to turn to God for comfort rather than food, just as Nicole did.

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For many years, I did not truly trust God for my comfort. I begin eating to replace the pain of not having my parents in my life, then to cover or mask my fears, anxieties, or disappointments.  A few years ago, I ate also to replace my appetite for other things that I desired but could not have such as sexual pleasure and intimacy. Funny, how we use something that God gave us to enjoy and pervert it with addictive and abusive behaviors. This world and country is in denial that food is the next hit, shot, and overdose. Marketing and the food industry has obliged us with bigger, larger, and heavier portions for our delicacies and appetites.

Just recently I read on a blog, view God as the one who loves you so much that He wants heal your pain — instead of viewing Him as judge and condemning.  God is not condemning.  At that very moment, I became not the same.  I have been on this journey for a long time to lose the pounds of the pain; I am really set free to receive Him as my comforter.  I knew and adored Him as my redeemer, but now I trust Him as my lover and friend. I made a decision to Trust God for Comfort.   I was led to write a poem about it.

Trusting God for Comfort

How can I trust you when I could not let go.  When I would not say no —

How can I say yes to you, when in my mind was a “maybe.”

Once I thought I was stuck here, caught in an illusion — a dreamer deferred — it did not occur to me He died also for me to be freed in this area indeed.

Where were you comforter, when my mommy left me and my daddy stopped looking?

Where was comfort, when self-doubt, defeat, desires unmet was present?

I found comfort at 7 years old in a rice bowl, neckbones, and a glass of tea–really sweet!

All those days, I would wait and declare this is the day she would come for me — I am going to hide her in the closet so she can’t leave.  She has been running for so long — I guess that is where I learned it.

Where was my comfort? — it was in the second and third plate and a Dairy Queen’s Parfait.

Broken heart, broken promises, and potential not fulfilled — I thought it was better to pretend than to feel — that they loved me, comforted me, and was the real deal. I was so messed up, I pretended when he touched me it was a bad dream. Then, one day many years as an adult I remembered and he thought I used food because I felt so unclean. Maybe I did….

I had to ask the questions — what am I hungry for and what is eating at me?

Now on those long nights when my peace is dim and sleeping is hard, I reach out to Elohim to keep me and bring me peace.  God is the only one that can make us complete.  In my singleness, He is my source of protection, refuge, comforter, and redeemer.

I trust God for a “just right, Holy Spirit filled” man that is available, willing, and actively pursuing me.  Our Almighty God is waiting for us.  He wants to woo, love, and dine with us. What a beautiful dance it is to dance with the Heavenly Father!

I am a daughter of the Most High King. He is a mother to the motherless and a father to the fatherless.  I am royal and peculiar.  [He will redeem the time and heal the pain]

I am more precious than rubies.

I am valued and loved.

I am truly comforted by the Holy Spirit. He indwells and renews me daily.

I have come to learn how to Trust God for my comfort and so much more…

I rest in His Glory and I offer to you to open your heart and Trust in His comfort and receive eternal life.

©2010. All rights Reserved.  No duplication.
C. N. Henderson Speak LIFE Ministries

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Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,

Kimberly Floyd, C.W.C.
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

Let me explain.

A couple of years ago, a coaching client told me about “Secrets to Always Answered Prayer” by Kathy Logan. Sister Kathy was an annointed teacher and writer who also conducted free weekly prayer classes online.

I purchased her ebook and listened to her prayer classes. They strengthened my prayer life greatly. Soon after, Kathy went home to be with the Lord. She was only in her early 40s, but she influenced so many with her loving teaching.

After her decease, her website was taken offline. However just a few weeks ago, I discovered a website that archives Internet content – and I found Kathy’s website there.

Most of the links on the site are broken now, but amazingly her audio still works via the embedded gray audio play buttons. In all, there are nearly 40 prayer class audios. Here are some of the topics:

• Money and Prayer
• God Keeps His Word
• The Number One Reason People Don’t Pray
• The 10 Minute Prayer
• Prayer Blockers and Prayer Enhancers

NOTE: To listen to the audio, you must click the gray audio player buttons on her page.  The links on her page are broken and no longer work.

I know if you take Kathy’s bible-based teaching to heart you will get more of your prayers answered and build a stronger relationship with God.

What an awesome privilege to have free access to the Creator of the universe through prayer because of your faith in Jesus Christ!

Remember the words of Deuteronomy 4:7:

For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?

I love the phrase ‘for whatever reason’ in that scripture! Matthew 19:26 assures us that with God all things are possible. The enemy might try to tell you that your situation is hopeless and you’ll always be trapped, but that is a lie. Get into God’s word and memorize his promises. He wants you to live an abundant life, so begin to anchor yourself in Him through prayer. Ask for help and wisdom to handle the issues you face everyday and he will provide it.

I posted the access link to the classes on my ‘Stop Drop and Pray’ website:

http://www.stopdroppray.com/free-prayer-class/

I hope these are a blessing to you! I am not sure how long they will be available so take advantage of them while you can.

Be blessed in health and wholeness,

Kimberly Floyd, C.W.C.
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

In fact, the word “devil” comes from the Greek word “diavolos” which means ‘slanderer’ or ‘accuser’. If you allow slander or accusation to rule your mind, then mental strongholds are built that drive you to destructive habits. That will eventually ruin your life.

To be victorious, you must be faithful in “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)”.

I have a special article by Rhonda Jones of thechristianmeditator.com to assist you with that. Rhonda shares some excellent advice on how to renew your mind to God’s word and defeat negative thinking habits for good.
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How to Defeat Negative Thoughts with Christian Meditation

by Rhonda Jones

As Christians we are in a battle everyday of our lives. It is not a battle with our mates, kids, friends, or even our bosses. The greatest battle that faces every believer is the battle with his or her own mind. But what does it mean to battle with the mind? Our minds or thoughts are usually contrary to God and the scriptures. Instead of focusing on faith we focus on fear. Instead of focusing on abundance, we focus on lack. Instead meditating on the word of God, we meditate on news, sitcoms, and negative thinking. These thoughts steal our peace and joy, and interfere with living out God’s promises.

Here is what the Bible says about our minds:

• Romans 1:28: “Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.”

• Ephesians 4:23: “to be made new in the attitude of your minds.”

• 2 Corinthians 11:3: “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

• Romans 12:2: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern (conditioning) of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Paul said it best in Romans 7:21 when he stated that he knows what to do, but has trouble doing it.

• “When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

You can see from these scriptures that believers truly have a mind problem. Ephesians Chapter 6 tells us to cast down every fiery dart that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bring every thought into the obedience of Christ. This is easier said than done because many of our thoughts are unconscious. They just play like a broken record in the back of our heads over and over again and we live our lives according to what they are telling us. It’s kind of like living on autopilot.

So how does Christian meditation help believers bring healing to their minds? Christian meditation helps us to still our minds so that we can observe the subtle and subconscious thoughts that we’re thinking. Spend a day recording every thought that comes to mind. Write it down. Then review your thoughts at the end of the day.

I had my daughter do this for a day and every thought she wrote down was negative and debilitating: “no one will ever hire me, I’m a failure, I’m ugly,” etc. It was no wonder she was having so many emotional problems at the time. Do you know that we would never let another person talk to use like this, but too often we say horrible things about ourselves.

The good news is that once you know what is going on in your head you can do something about it. You can change your thoughts and change your life. You can replace negative thoughts with God’s word.

By getting still and quieting your mind and filling it with the truth of God’s word through Christ-center meditation you can uproot negative thinking and replace it with thoughts of peace, joy, and purpose.

CLICK HERE to listen to a free sample of Christian Meditation now

Rhonda Jones is the author of a series of Christian meditation and relaxation CDs that encourages listeners to relax, spend more quality time with God, and learn to live more consciously and in the present.

_________________________________________

I hope this article blessed you. Go ahead now and check out Rhonda’s Christian Meditation sample so you can see how it works. Just click the link below, scroll down the page and you can listen to the sample. See for yourself how relaxing and soothing it can be:

CLICK HERE to listen to a free sample of Christian Meditation now

Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,

Kimberly Floyd, C.W.C.
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

P.S Please share this message with your email lists, on forums you visit, or on your Facebook, Twitter, or other social media pages. I need your help in getting the message out. Thank you in advance!

Please forgive us of our sins and help us to no longer sin against you.

You are magnificent in our eyes!  Even now O’ Lord as we face our opposition, we know that you face them with us and before us.

See now Lord, how we will not waiver in the face of what we don’t understand.  However, we do understand that you are still in control of all matter and all things true.

We must admit before your glorious nature that we don’t understand what is befalling us at times and it is a bit painful that we don’t see any relief even though we know of a surety that relief is here; help us to endure dear Father.

If I could ease the pain of my brothers and sisters, I would but I can’t.  I can ask you to ease their pain and I do but then you already know the pain each of us experience and you also know of our desire to be released of it.

The enemy has and is attacking hard on all fronts as you know.  Please guide us as to what we should do O’ Lord.  We do this and realize we should have done that.  We do that and realize we should have done this.  We have come to realize that we just don’t know what to do Father; won’t you help us?

My mortal and ignorantly finite mind has asked that question but my spirit man truly know that all things before us is working toward our good to help and strengthen us to persevere.

I’ve looked at the word persevere and separated it to per severe and discover that one of the meaning to the word “per” is –thoroughly- while “severe” meant -much or extreme discomfort-.  According to that description Father, We will persevere as we may go through extreme discomfort but it will certainly be no more than what you have went through for each one of us.

Help us to endure Father and strengthen our family spiritually so that they will become a help and not a hindrance to us who long to please you in every way of our lives.

Open up our family understanding completely that they might be an aid to us in this present world.

Strengthen the men completely so that we might continue to assume the proper role of the head of our household.  Strengthen the  shoulders of your men so that we will be able to bear the burden and load that we and our family must carry for your sake; not our sake but for your sake.

We remember how our children cried when the doctor puncture their skin with the needle of vaccination.  We remember how the tears flooded the eye wells and poured down their face.  We remember how their small eyes became big eyes of anxiety as they looked up at us for protection that they felt they were in need of and how they had a look of despair as if to say “I don’t understand why you are letting this strange person hurt me this way!”

Nonetheless, we knew what was needed for our little children as painful as it was and we also knew that the pain would soon go away after it accomplished what it was meant to do.

The vaccination was preventive medicine.  If what we and our family are experiencing is a type of vaccination to prevent some spiritual disease or infection that is trying to destroy what you have planned for us (family included) then so be it for we trust you O’ Lord and you alone.

So even now Father we are comforted in knowing that because we know that you care for us in a much greater way than any mortal parent can; and for that we thank you and honor you.  It is indeed our distinct pleasure to honor you this day and every day.

Meanwhile, we will continue to sing praises unto you.  Our voice may crack and the melody may be off key due to the soreness of the spiritual vaccination but know this for sure dear Father, that our song and praise is sincere now and forever.

Amen
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Note: Below is my original review of Women Food and God. Since then, I have since taken a closer look at the book and recorded a video with my additional thoughts. You can listen to it at the end of this post.

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You may have heard of a new book called “Women Food and God” by Geneen Roth about compulsive overeating. I heard it was featured on Oprah, but I discovered it by accident while browsing popular books on Amazon. The title intrigued me, so I bought it.

But I stopped reading on page 16. More about that later, but first I want to share a conversation I read on an earlier page. The author has a retreat for women who compulsively overeat and this is what one attendee told her over dinner. It is startling:

______________________

Laurie, a thirty-five year old CEO of a Boston mortgage company, raises her hand. “I am not hungry, but I want to be. I want to eat anyway.”

“Why is that?” I ask.

“Because it looks good and it’s here, right now. It’s the best comfort in town. What’s wrong with wanting comfort from food?”

“Not a thing,” I say. “Food is good and comfort is good. Except that when you are not hungry and you want comfort, food is only a temporary pallative; why not address the discomfort directly?”

“It’s too hard to address things directly, too painful, and there isn’t any end to it. And if it’s going to be endlessly painful, then at least I have food,” she answers.

“So you figure that the best you can get out of life is cold vegetable soup?”

When she talks again, her voice is quivering. “It’s the only true comfort I have and I am not going to deprive myself of it.”

______________________

That hurt my heart because I was once in the same place as Laurie. Even though I was “saved,” I did not trust God for comfort. At that time, I didn’t view him as one who loved me and could heal my pain. Instead, I viewed him as ready to judge and condemn me.

Reading that conversation alone was worth the cost of Women Food and God for me, but I stopped reading on page 16 because of this author statement: “It doesn’t matter whether we believe in one God, many gods, or no god.”

Oh, but it does matter! I believe there is no such thing as a weight management issue; it is all ultimately a life management issue.

Your belief about God determines how you view life, approach it, and what you expect from it. If you believe there is no god, then all you have is yourself as the compass to discern what is good and right. And we know all know how self-deceptive humans can be.

If you believe in many gods, then how do you know which to follow in a given situation? God is not the author of confusion.

I believe in the God who says in Isaiah 44:6: “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me  there is no God.”

It makes a big difference when you view yourself as a daughter (or son) of the King.

I believe in the God who heals as said in Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.”

And I believe in the God who comforts, protects, and leads me in the right way as said in Psalm 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

I have a personal relationship with the one true God, which I obtained through the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6): Jesus.

So I say to Laurie and to anyone else suffering from compulsive eating: “God is the true source of comfort and he wants you to expect more from life than cold vegetable soup! He wants you to experience eternal life, which is that you may know Him, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent.”

Open up your heart and let God comfort you. Trust him and you will be healed.

_____________________

Video Follow-up Review: Author’s Views on God

Did you find this information on overcoming compulsive eating useful? You can learn a lot more about starting the healing process through achieving a closer relationship with God and how to achieve healthy weight loss. Check out my Take Back Your Temple eBook and the 8 bonuses that come with it.

Click here to learn more.

Kimberly Floyd, C.W.C.
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book