Opus 2011-275, Healthy Insights: Obesity is Not the Disease

I recently had what I hope is a breakthrough.  At least is was an insight.  I decided that I did not need to save some money.

My wife likes to go out to eat.  I don’t mind but it is not a big issue for me.  I think it has to do with being served.  So we went out and picked a restaurant based on the coupons we had.  I have been trying to control my diabetes and am doing well.  One of the methods of control is rooted in self control in the area of food.  So here I am going over the nutritional guide.  I am looking at calories and carbohydrates and balancing them against enjoyment and satisfaction.  The waitress is standing there and the pressure is on.  My wife wants to know what I am ordering so she can get the best deal with her coupons.  What do I do?

I threw her a curve ball.  I ordered a bowl of soup.  I was so tempted by all of the dinner offerings:  Lemon pepper tilapia, club sandwiches with fries, country fried steak.  But I went for the soup.  140 calories as compared to 800 and counting.  She looked a little shocked.  She was looking forward to getting her meal for free.  When the check came it was less than it would have been anyway but she thought she had been betrayed.

The insight was in realizing that I could not afford to save money.  I did not need to eat because we had a coupon.  The breakthrough began with the order.  It continued when I did not eat the bread or any crackers.  I was not really there to eat.  I was there to socialize and listen.

So I sat and listened.  You husbands know of what I speak.  I nodded at the right places.  I muttered a few sounds when it seemed appropriate.  I even ventured a question on occasion.  And I enjoyed my soup.  It was a good time.  My wife got to vent.  I got to serve.  My body got to avoid storing extra calories.

The problem people have is not obesity, that is a symptom.  The problem is appetite.  We are a culture that has given in to the idea that if we want it we should have it, and by jingo, we WILL have it.  As usual, God has an opinion here.  Let’s look at the Word, first in the KJV:

(Philippians 3:19 KJV)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

The NASB gives it with “appetite” instead of “belly” in case you missed the point.

(Philippians 3:19 NASB)  whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

We are surrounded by goodies.  Unfortunately those goodies are really badies.  They are often tremendous and wonderful but they are designed by God to be controlled, not control.  Satan tries to get us to reverse that God-given order.

(2 Peter 2:19 KJV)  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

I have always liked the way the old Living Bible paraphrased the end of that verse.

“For a man is a slave to whatever controls him.”

I am not really concerned about losing weight.  That is a symptom.  The disease is a lack of self control.  I want my life and health to reflect the God I serve.

homo unius libri