Struggle with Food, September 1
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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Written by Karen Wonders
…she took some and ate it (Genesis 3:6 NIV).
At Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, we have had the honor to serve many people battling cancer. Just about all of them struggle with food. One patient in particular always comes to mind when I talk about this subject. Karen had breast cancer, and was significantly overweight with multiple other risk factors. During our first meeting, she was so sick that she kept falling asleep. Karen was very resistant to changing her diet. She wasn’t willing to try healthy food, because she was sure she wouldn’t like it. She had herself convinced that eating healthy wouldn’t make a difference in her health status, so why even try?
Food struggles are as old as the human race. Think about it—Adam and Eve had all the food they could ever eat, yet they wanted the one piece of fruit they were not allowed to have (see Genesis 3). In the wilderness, God provided the Israelites with manna every morning for forty straight years. God called this manna “bread from heaven” (Exodus 16:4). Therefore, I believe that this manna was more than your average rice cake. I bet it was yummy and sweet. Imagine, getting to eat your fill of yummy cake from heaven every day. I would even be willing to bet that some of the Israeli women would get a little creative with this manna. Picture it … manna pancakes. Manna pie. Deep fried manna. Manna on a stick. The possibilities were endless.
Yet, the Israelites wanted more! (See Numbers 11:4.)
If bread was made for laughter (Ecclesiastics 10:19), then why are so many of us in bondage to it? How do we even begin to change our perception of food?
Perhaps a good place to start would be to examine God’s purpose for food. 1 Timothy 4:3 teaches us that God created food to be received with thanksgiving. God is the creator and sustainer of our food sources. Therefore, food demonstrates our dependence on Him. We are to eat food with gladness (Ecclesiastes 9:7), remembering that He provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17). In other words, God wants us to enjoy our food, not feel guilty or frustrated with it (Matthew 6:25-27).
Jesus’ life demonstrated this. His first miracle was food/drink related, when He turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). He often would fellowship with people over food. Before He was arrested, Christ shared a special meal with His friends, using food as a reminder of His sacrifice for us (Mark 14:17-26). Today, believers look forward to dining with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb when He returns (Revelation 19:7-9).
Food is not the enemy. It is meant for our enjoyment and fellowship. So today, let’s purpose to look at food through eyes of thankfulness, rather than feelings of deprivation and discontentment. Take time to savor the juiciness of an orange. The crunchiness of an apple. The beauty of a plate filled with vibrant, colorful vegetables. Thank the One who counted us worthy enough to provide these bountiful blessings!
Pray: Father God, thank You for food! You created food to sustain us. You intend for us to eat food from a place of thankfulness. You want us to enjoy our food as precious gifts from You. Forgive us for taking Your gifts and turning them into our struggles. Only through the power of your Holy Spirit can we overcome our feelings of guilt and frustration with food and live in the freedom that only Christ can provide. Help us turn our discontentment into thankfulness. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Food is not the enemy! Make a list of your favorite healthy foods. How will you try to incorporate more of these foods in your diet?
Karen Y. Wonders, PhD, FACSM, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and Professor/Program Director of Exercise Physiology at Wright State University. Her passion is to advocate for exercise as part of the national standard of care for cancer. Her non-profit organization provides free exercise training to thousands of cancer survivors every month (www.mapletreecanceralliance.org). Dr. Wonders and her husband have 7 children—aged 16 and younger. If you think her hands are full, you should see her heart!
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