Conviction from Round 3

I completed my third official round of Whole30 a few weeks ago.  Soon, 18 months will have passed since I started my first round.  At this point I feel like Whole30 is the new norm- I know what I’m doing, and I’m doing it because I know it works for me.  I committed to my third round simply because I had some lingering weight loss goals and my husband said he was ready for another round.  I did NOT expect to learn anything new about my relationship with food, but once again Whole 30 brought a surprise...

My third round of Whole 30 shone a big spotlight on my personal issues with contentment.  This round should have been easy.  There would be no sugar withdrawals or detoxing headaches.  My husband was completely on board and home for most of the round.  He committed to the 30 days with me.  He consistently helped with the cooking and cleaning after dinner.  He even found several new recipes for us to try, one of which was delicious (Lomo Saltado).  Yes, with all of this support and my previous experience- this should have been a cake walk. 

“Cake walk” is a great choice of words, because I found myself constantly wanting more- just a small dessert, something sweet to finish off my meal.  I quickly began to understand why the Whole30 program warns so strongly against eating fruit for a dessert after meals.  I have trained myself to believe that every good meal, includes a good dessert.  A scrumptious meal, that I prepared WITH my husband, and that I did NOT have to clean up should have been a sufficient highlight of the evening.  I should have reveled in the time shared in the kitchen and the blessing of not having to do the dishes.  But there, I was, time and time again, wishing I had just a little bit more. 

We regularly get the chance to spend the day together on the weekends.  We go to church together, we do some errands, go shopping, play games, etc.  These make for really great days, but yet I found myself consistently wanting to compliment the day with a trip to the bakery, or Cold Stone, or a Chick-fil-A milkshake.  Wanting more and then disappointed when I remembered that I couldn’t have those things.  Some days even disappointed enough that it detracted from how great of a day I was having.  Is a treat really a necessary part of a great day? It shouldn’t be, but there I was with my contentment issues staring me in the face.

Whole30 is not a Christian based program, but it has changed my life and God keeps using it to point to areas that I need to work on.  In the beginning, it was about dethroning food as an idol in my life.  Then it was about weight loss, physical health, and temple care.  Then I identified food as a drug to me, and that I was looking for food to fulfill needs that only Christ was intended to fill.  Then it was about “Eating like a Champion”- keeping my body at optimum performance and making daily decisions that allow me to best serve Christ and others.  I looked at the story of Daniel and how his obedience in his diet is what made him stand out from his peers and I wonder, would God have used him the same way if he hadn’t demonstrated discipline in this area? 

And now- it’s about contentment.  I often find myself wanting something, just because I know I can have it.  I go get it, express gratitude to God for the convenience of the drive thru and the financial resources to purchase it, and pat myself on the back for my genuine gratitude.  But that doesn’t align with scripture.  God’s word encourages me to be content in whatever situation I am in (Philippians 4:11).  God’s word says that if I have food and clothing, I should be content (1 Timothy 6:6-8).  It does not say food of choice, it does not say eat until you are stuffed full, and believe me, dessert is NOT mentioned.  Compared to the majority of the world, I eat like a king.  Even compared to most Americans, I eat really well.  So why is that not enough?  Why do I keep finding myself wishing I had more?

I am working on it.  I am thankful that Whole30 has been a tool that God has used to shape and transform me, both on the outside and on the inside.  I love that God can use pretty much anything we love (food, job, kids, sports, hobby) to teach us things about ourselves.  Most of all, I love that God never leaves me hanging.  He doesn’t just point out my mistakes, my shortcomings, my failures and walk away.  No!  He has given me the Holy Spirit to empower me and make a way.  He is right here with me helping me claim victory in this battle every single day.  And I know his grace awaits on the days that I lose this battle. 

Since beginning this pursuit of contentment I have recognized that food is not the only area where my contentment issues reign.  I now more easily identify them in my relationships, my weight loss goals, my sleeping habits, and the ways I spend my time on me.  I would love to hear how God has used something you love to teach you about yourself.  How did you respond? How did God help you along the way?  Let’s praise God together that he loves us too much to leave us where we are!

 1 Timothy 6:6-8

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

 Philippians 4:11

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

Some Delicious Whole30 meals from this round!