Food as the consolation prize

This whole section has been about emotional eating...which...is something most of us do. I find the emotion that sparks eating the most for me is boredom. Which is why on weekends when I'm relaxing and being lazy I tend to eat all day. I probably also eat when I'm stressed and tired too...which the go to food is candy/sugar on that one. Anyway, the chapter talks about how food is supposed to fill that need for fulfillment but really it's just a consolation prize. And oftentimes after you've filled yourself with food you don't feel consoled...you feel bad.

This sentence really hit me "Food simply provides a legal, socially acceptable way to escape from reality." In the same way that people use drugs, smoking, sex, games, or anything else, food can be used to cover up the real problem going on. I need to be actively aware of when I'm eating out of emotions, and ask myself "Is this an drug I'm willing to take?" When I think about it that way...it makes me hesitant to take part.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

Perseverance...not growing weary and losing heart...those are attributes that I'm definitely working on. I'm terrible at completing something (especially if it's on my own accord and nobody else is watching) if I'm losing or doing bad. I'd rather just quit and start over again. Maybe thats why the military lifestyle appealed to me...you can start over and not have to live with the decisions you make. But in reality, life doesn't work that way. Even if you're not around the same people, you still live with the decisions you make and what life throws at you...and that's where I need to persevere and not lose heart. I need to do so despite my own failings and shortcomings. I need to get up, dust myself off, and continue the race.