Today’s summer series topic for students addresses the over-consumption of and restriction of food. Some students can land on one end or the other; or sometimes can swing between the extremes. There are at least two big-picture, influential forces in how food can be approached by some teens and what influences this next generation: 1) the world’s religion of eating (based on virtue signaling, feelings, the environment, etc.) and 2) anxiety and trauma. Nevertheless, humans have a need not for gorging, not for starving, but for eating properly.

The Truth about Eating

God Provides for your Needs

• God provides the exact food we need when we look to Him for it. (Genesis 1:29, Exodus 16:12, Job 38:41, Matthew 4:4, 6:25)
• God teaches His children to eat with the mind of Christ. This means you can think of the needs of others by fueling yourself enough to be ready for loving service and by restraining yourself from excessive consumption that causes you to miss out on meaningful fellowship and worship of God. (Romans 12:1-2, 14:20, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
• Don’t allow the world’s arrogance to confuse you about good and bad foods. Instead, involve the Holy Spirit in your food choices, letting Him lead when it’s time to feast and when it’s time to fast. (Exodus 13:6, Matthew 6:18, Mark 7:19, Acts 10:15)

Sift Through Your Emotions

• When emotions like anxiety and depression interfere with the ability to eat well or when your mind is obsessing or becoming unreasonable, your stomach and body can suffer. This is when you need a reminder that you, like Jesus of Nazareth, have a short life to live with the holistic purpose of doing the will of your Maker. (Psalm 102, Proverbs 23:2, 25:16, John 4:32-34, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:11-20)
• If anxiety and a quest for control have robbed you of the pleasure and blessing of eating, ask for mercy that you can overcome and be saved from this enemy of shame. (Psalm 109:21-31)
• Summer is a great season for retraining your body and mind to be less feelings-led, sloppy, and rushed when it comes to making decisions for your diet. Even if your stomach, heart, or mind tend to rebel against healthy eating habits, don’t be imprisoned to some unhealthy version of comfort or control. Seek discipleship for dealing with your experiences and emotions, and seek food for eating according to God’s design.

Prayer & Blessing

Diligence is man’s precious possession (Prov. 13:27) and we are to be content with food. (1 Timothy 6:8)