Fattened Calf Syndrome NIV: Proverb 15:17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS: Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked. Christian contentment, and joy in God, makes life easy and pleasant. Cheerfulness of spirit will furnish a man with a continual feast, though he has but little in the world. A dinner of herbs can be a feast sufficient.

MY OBSERVATIONS: If we are masking anger and hatred of a sort, and hide it within us, oftentimes it may turn into depression and overeating of comfort foods. It makes more sense to discover the root cause of our food addiction, turn it over to a just and understanding God, and become normal again in our eating patterns. Up until a month ago, I would not have believed that I could be content with a meal of vegetables. I would have shouted, "Kill the fatted calf, and pass the potatoes." I am truly learning to redevelop my taste buds and am becoming content again to be satisfied with my just portion.

Dear Lord, thank you for understanding the way I try to deceive myself, and thank You for forcing me to view my problems in the light of Your Word. May I learn to be ever grateful for Your provision of all things, and learn to be content with the feast of love that You designate for me. Amen

NIV: Proverb 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. My Observations: For some of us dieters, we must take time and deliberate pains to free us from this bondage of sin, and we need to receive the counsel of others to rid ourselves of this extra weight. Dieting together may not help everyone, but for me and where I am at now in my life, it was necessary for my well-being. We hope we have moved beyond the false pride that induced us to think we had to "go it alone." When we're caught in that mind-set, asking for assistance becomes incredibly difficult. There is no logical reason to place ourselves apart from the rest of humanity, to consider ourselves so different that no one else could possibly understand our situation. Humility opens the door for help. I also know that all my plans for success in weight loss would not be occurring if it were not for the wise counsel of the Book of Proverbs, which makes and keeps an honest person of me throughout this attempt.

Thank You Lord, for the wise counsel of Your Word, and for the sweet fellowship and understanding of other Christian dieters who are in the same boat as I am. Thank You Lord, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ for this common bond and for our mutual victories. Amen

Today's Diet Tip: 15.- "Nibble" at your food and "linger" with your drink.

Positive Thought: If you can dream it you can do it.