God, I recognize I am made for more than the vicious cycle of being ruled by food. I need to eat to live, not live to eat. So, I keep asking for Your wisdom to know what to eat and Your indwelling power to walk away from things that are not beneficial for me.

Moment by moment we have the choice to live in our own strength and risk failure or to reach across the gap and grab hold of God's unwavering strength.

Honestly, I am made for more than a vicious cycle of eating, gaining, stressing — eating, gaining, stressing … I am made to rise up, do battle with my issues and, using the Lord's strength in me, defeat them—spiritually, physically, and mentally—to the glory of God.

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.3 I am fascinated by this research

It is possible to rise up, do battle with our issues, and, using the Lord's strength in us, defeat them —spiritually, physically, and mentally—to the glory of God.

I used my cravings for food as a prompting to pray. It was my way of tearing down the tower of impossibility before me and building something new. My tower of impossibility was food. Brick by brick, I imagined myself dismantling the food tower and using those same bricks to build a walkway of prayer, paving the way to victory.

We are supposed to maximize God, which keeps our weaknesses in perspective.

Through relationship with God, man is finally capable of doing that which he was incapable of doing on his own. That's what walking in the Spirit is all about.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (PHILIPPIANS 4:8)

Do you find yourself facing a challenge and too tired to pray? Allow the power of prayer to revive your spirit and restore your physical and mental vigor. By following Nehemiah's example, you will have the energy needed to defeat the enemy and thrive in the midst of your challenges.

When we have Christ, we are full—fully loved and accepted and empowered to say no.

How hard something is often depends on your vantage point.