A testimony on "Becoming a Woman of Moderation" by a SVCC sister
This was an AWESOME study! It is well written and could really be applied to any area of sin or bondage in life. It really had little to do with actual eating habits/diets/plan, etc. While this was an important part of the study, it was not the focus. Food is not the focus. The heart is the focus. I think the biggest thing I got out of it was how often I am trying to fill my soul with food, and evaluating on if my soul is hungry or if my body is hungry.
This study is even for people who have good eating habits. I think EVERYONE has some level of idolatry when it comes to food. Whether you are super healthy and have pride in your healthy lifestyle, or are chronically overweight. For most people, food is a source of comfort, joy, fulfillment of boredom, etc. All of us have turned to food before God at some point or another.
The study is not a quick fix. Sure with South Beach you can see major results, but for me it was completely outward in nature. In fact, denying myself of the good gifts that God has given us in food ended up in a major binge. The problem with most mainstream diets is that they do not teach Biblical eating habits and habits of moderation. They are about needlessly depriving yourself of good things God has given us to enjoy in honor and glory to Him, in order to manipulate our bodies/health into something that give us glory. The author does not claim to be able to change a life of living outside of moderation in the area of food (or anywhere) in an 8 week study. And she gives suggestions on what to do after the study.
One of my favorite parts of the study was the implementation of "Psalm meals." This is taking a psalm and praying through it. There are 4 per day and you pray through the entire book of Psalms in 7 weeks. I did not always do all 4 each day, but I saw major fruit in turning to a Psalm rather than a snack, and then evaluating if I still wanted to eat...was my soul hungry or my body?
One other thing that was really cool is that I really grew in understanding that if I make a bad choice, the whole day is not blown. I can repent and move on. God's mercies really are new, and I don't have to spend the rest of the day eating spinach because I blew it in the morning. I can walk in the freedom of the Gospel!
I do have to say it was really in depth and if I really gave myself the time to process through each part of the daily lesson I needed at least 45 min-1 hour. Also, there is a suggested eating plan that can be overwhelming at first - not because it's complicated, but because it includes a weekly fast day. I had never fasted...EVER...and it was really hard at first. But I really appreciated the eating plan because it taught me to engage with God first, and then engage with WHATEVER food I wanted to eat next. It is not about the food, but about my relationship with God and when I'm choosing food to fill my soul.