Where Do You Turn When Life Stresses You Out? Comfort Food? Alcohol?

When you’re stressed out, do you turn to foods that are traditional ‘comfort’ foods – think big meals, take-out, fatty foods, sweet foods, quick processed foods (chips, candy, etc.) and alcohol? Let’s face it – we’ve all found some comfort in a tasty meal, a piece of cheesecake, and/or a bottle of beer or glass of wine when we’ve been stressed out or upset about something. This may be happening more lately, especially in the recent months that have caused so much added stresses. However, turning to these comfort foods or drinks is only a temporary not a permanent solution.

When you’re turning to unhealthy foods you can feel better temporarily, but in the long run, you will feel worse. When your body isn’t getting the right nutrition, you can begin to feel less energetic, more lethargic, and in some cases less able to concentrate and focus. All of this can lead to even more stress.

If you were to analyze every chemical reaction of the human body, it would show that stress sets off a domino effect on our hormones which can cause us to go into some type of automatic calorie binge. Problems and addictions (food or alcohol) can arise when we consistently give in to this hormonal calling and start allowing food as our comforter and a way to run away from life’s stresses.

I encourage you to do something different, try turning to God for comfort. His grace, strength, truth, and unconditional love can comfort you during moments of weakness. These are some of the scriptures that have helped me learn how to do this myself and I hope they bless you today:

1 Corinthians 6:12, “ Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me].”

Psalm 63:5, “You (God) satisfy me more than the richest of foods.”

Psalms 119:143, “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.”

1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Psalm 145: 15-16, “The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.”

Next Blog Post: “Foods that Fight Stress”

Have a blessed week! :)