“Spiritual damage”

You see, this is what may happen: Someone who thinks it is wrong to eat this food will see you eating at a temple restaurant, for you know there is no harm in it. Then he will become bold enough to do it too, although all the time he still feels it is wrong. So, because you “know it is all right to do it” you will be responsible for causing great spiritual damage to a brother with a tender conscience for whom Christ died. And it is a sin against Christ to sin against your brother by encouraging him to do something he thinks is wrong. So, if eating xx is going to make my brother sin, I’ll not eat any of it as long as I live, because I don’t want to do this to him. Corinthians 8:10-13

Verse Reflection:  God’s word tells us that eating any food is not wrong in itself.  However, it is wrong when it is wrong for you.  One of my pet peeves is dividing foods into a “can” and “cannot” have category.  And yet, I am the queen of this habit.  I guess that is why this new lifestyle works for me.  If I want a candy bar I can have one.  I just have to wait until tomorrow to have the second one!   I guess even with all this knowledge I have to be conscious of those around me because we all have to do what works best for us.  The definition of sin is “anything that separates us from God” and certainly food can do that if we don’t feel good about what we are eating.  I don’t think there is anything we can’t eat, we just need to be okay with it and eat it in moderation.  Ugh!  To be honest, I don’t want to think in these terms of thinking about others around me in this journey.  I have enough trouble making it work for me.  However, God is clearly telling us to think about what we eat in front of others that may need additional strength. Certainly, I have overindulged way too many times in my life because I stayed fairly thin despite my over-eating.  I suppose God is telling me that I have to grow up and be a role model.

Prayer:  Dear God, Help me be aware of others around me and allow me to be an example for that individual person.  I haven’t mentioned this program to many people around me.  I guess I have to make sure it works the way I think it will before I open my mouth.  And maybe I will even wait for people to ask.  Hmmm what a novel idea.  Bless my heart and head because I know me well enough to know that I sometimes respond to life by eating in my nervousness and manic self-awareness.  And I just love food, all food.  I love You and want to represent You well.  Will you allow me to realize that no food is wrong while protecting me from overeating or being a bad influence on others in my choices.  Help me grow up and be the role model I should be.  Perhaps all the turmoil inside of me could be avoided if I would think of others instead of myself.