Ice Cream To The Rescue!

Ever been at the point where you just feel the need for a good scoop, cone, or tub of ice cream?  If you think about it, most of the time we are experiencing some type of stress or anxiety at the moment, and for some unknown reason, ice cream seems to be the cure.  We like to call it “comfort food”. 

Yet, in reality, how much comfort are we really getting from this ice cream? I’ve heard it said over and over again that it doesn’t really matter.  It felt good in the moment, and that is all that mattered.  According to the University of Minnesota, when facing long-term stress, cortisol levels stay elevated, triggering a craving for high fatty and sugary foods.  It makes sense that we would grab a carton of ice cream and go to town.  Don’t pretend you haven’t done it.  I know I have. 

OHHHHH, but the aftereffects…

See after the satisfaction of the moment, there is a crash coming.  Most likely a sugar crash.  Then we are right back where we started in the beginning.  The feelings of anxiety and stress resume.

I have a suggestion, not necessarily a solution (even though it could be), IF you are willing to give it a try.  Instead of immediately reaching for the ice cream, take a walk and learn to breathe in the moment. 

You know, breathing is pretty important to us.  If we don’t breathe, we WILL die.  So learn how to breathe.  Learn how to breathe in those moments when you think life cannot continue. Learn how to breathe when everything seems to happen all at once and you are never getting a break.  Learn to breathe when your kids decide they never want to listen.  Learn to breathe when you wonder if God is really even listening to you.

There are and will be times when God is silent.  I believe He does it to help us grow in faith.  I’ve been there.  I’ve wondered why I couldn’t hear His voice in moments of stress and anxiety.  I’ve reached for the ice cream (even if it is low-carb and sugar-free).  Yet I know what I really needed to do was take a walk, breathe, and pray.

What?! Pray when you feel like God isn’t even listening?!  That’s absurd.

Not really.  How many times have I not listened when He called my name?  I’m sure more times than we like to count.  However, He still keeps calling.

Over and over in His Word, He has given us Scripture to calm our fears.  Just to list a couple:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 KJV

“Casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 KJV

Next time you reach for the ice cream, no matter how good it is, I pray that you think about taking a walk instead.  I don’t care how good the ice cream is.  Walking is still better than crashing.

**This message brought to you courtesy of my current craving for ice cream.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!

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