Are you in the process of learning to live healthier? Maybe your New Year’s resolution was to eat better, exercise, or in some other way improve your physical health? Join us for the next few days as we offer scripture, insight, and encouragement to help on that journey.
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh.
Comfort food. . . there is a reason it has been given its name. My guess is that every one of us has had the experience of sitting down to a big plate of comfort food hoping that it will, temporarily at least, take us out of the sadness, anxiety, or pain we feel. Maybe it works for a few minutes, but when the meal is over those same fears and anxieties are waiting for us to pick them up right where we left them. Food will never provide for us what God alone can.
I can remember a time when I was in seminary when I was really busy and things were almost unbearable and I desperately wanted some comfort. Every day for two weeks during a January intensive class I traveled to Richmond, Indiana for hours of class then traveled back home to do 8 hours of homework. January Intensives at Earlham School of Religion are a semester long class crammed into two short weeks. It is physically and mentally exhausting.
Fortunately, I remember thinking; there is a little donut shop in Richmond on the way to and from school. When the thought of going to class felt like a great burden to me, I would pump myself up by telling myself that I could stop at Square Donuts on the way and pick up a donut for breakfast. On a couple of mornings this was the motivating factor that got me on the road. On one of those days I did actually stop at Square Donuts; and you know what, that donut didn’t help me feel any better about the day. I was still tired and still didn’t want to be in class. There was no comfort in that comfort food.
The next day I was determined to try something different. I spent the long drive listening to praise songs and hymns; I turned the music off at one point and just quieted my mind as I thought about the goodness of God. Now, I’m not going to say that class was a breeze that day and that everything was swell; but my outlook on class and the homework I needed to do was different. I was calm, tranquil even. That spiritual comfort food sustained me for the rest of the day. This year I am committed to filling up on the right kind of comfort. How about you?
Thought for the day: Am I seeking comfort from temporary things that will never offer the peace I desire? Or am I relying on the presence of God to nourish me?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.