Why You Reach for Food When You Should Reach for God
True wellness begins when we stop using food to comfort our struggles and start letting God's Word satisfy our souls.
Today, as we continue our series on B.A.L.A.N.C.E.D. Living, I am reminded once again that achieving true harmony in life is absolutely impossible to do without the Lord's guidance and help. In our own strength, we are powerless. We can do nothing of ourselves; it is a profound gift of God to have the daily help and presence of the Holy Spirit.
As we unlock the letter N today, we find a beautiful parallel. On the physical side, N stands for Nutrition for Wellness. On the spiritual side, N stands for Nourish Yourself with God's Word. As we dive into both in part 4 of our series, let’s remember the foundational truth that we can only do this through the power of God.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5 KJV)
Physical Nutrition: Am I Using Food for Comfort Rather Than Turning to God?
Let’s begin by looking at nutrition and wellness from a physical perspective. To examine our hearts, we must ask ourselves a searching question: Am I using food for comfort rather than turning to God?
In Philippians 3:18-19, the Apostle Paul warns us about a misplaced focus:
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:18-19 KJV)
Unfortunately, our belly can easily become a god to us. I think we can all relate to this at some point in our lives, and for many, it is a daily battle. Food is readily available, and it can be so easy to use it to comfort ourselves. Many of us have a “comfort food” we instinctively reach for when we are stressed, depressed, or lonely.
It amazes me how quickly we turn to ourselves or to material things before we reach out to God for the help we desperately need. He can solve all our problems—perhaps not always the exact way we want, but always in a way that serves our best interests. He is the ultimate Comforter. He can soothe our sorrow, lift our depression, and meet us in our loneliness. I am so deeply grateful that He never gives up on us.
The Psalmist invites us to experience a much sweeter satisfaction:
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:8 KJV)
In contrast to worldly comforts, if we can just taste and see that the Lord is good, we will find true fulfillment. Yet I often ask myself, “Why do you go back to your self-made comforts?” I mean, I have seen firsthand what God does when I surrender a situation to Him, and His way is always so much better. Why do I keep turning back to my old ways?
If I am being honest, I find it hard to give up control. I want to fix things and force outcomes in my own strength. But I know that when I surrender all things to God, it is so much more freeing. I want to surrender all.
Spiritual Nutrition: What Does It Mean to Let the Word Dwell Richly in Me?
Our spiritual lives directly impact what happens in our physical lives. They go hand in hand; you truly cannot have one without the other. This connection leads us directly to our spiritual focus: N = Nourish Yourself with God's Word. Our reflection question here is: What does it mean to let the Word dwell richly in me?
Consider the instructions given in Colossians:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16 KJV)
I love how this verse emphasizes the importance of accountability partners. We were never meant to walk alone; we need people around us who love and care for us so they can help us through difficult times.
This verse also highlights the vital importance of praise and thanksgiving. When we cultivate a grateful heart, it changes our entire attitude. We need to be praising God every single day. As we hide God’s Word in our hearts, those divine promises provide the authentic comfort we crave.
This nourishment requires daily, intimate connection, as Jesus described in the Gospel of John:
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7 KJV)
Abiding daily in Christ is essential. We do not want to try to do things on our own, effectively severing ourselves from the Vine. We must stay connected. That is the only way we can bear fruit, and it is the only way we can sincerely come to God asking for His will to be done in our lives. When we are fully abiding, we won't want anything in our lives that would hinder our connection with Him.
How do we practically protect this connection? It goes right back to scripture memorization:
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11 KJV)
When we are tempted to turn to food, control, or other earthly comforts, the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance the verses we have memorized. This acts as a shield in our moments of temptation—especially when we are tempted to do things on our own rather than rely on God.
Bringing it Together: The Intersection of Body and Spirit
Physical nutrition and spiritual nourishment are not separate compartments of our lives; they are completely intertwined. What we feed our minds and souls directly affects how we treat our bodies. When we are spiritually starved, we experience an inner emptiness that we often try to fill with physical things—like comfort food. But when we nourish ourselves with God's Word first, our souls become satisfied, giving us the spiritual strength and discipline needed to make healthy choices for our physical wellness. By allowing the Holy Spirit to comfort us, we break the chains of emotional eating and reclaim control over our physical health. True wellness is a holistic act of worship, honoring God with both our bodies and our spirits.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV)
A Prayer of Commitment
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before You today acknowledging that I cannot live a balanced life in my own strength. Forgive me for the times I have turned to physical comforts, like food, rather than running into Your comforting arms. I desire to break the cycle of self-reliance and surrender total control to You. Lord, teach me to taste and see that You are good. May Your Word dwell in me richly, nourishing my soul and guiding my daily habits. Help me to abide in the Vine daily, to hide Your Scripture in my heart, and to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide my choices. I commit my health, my mind, and my habits to You today. Glorify Yourself through my physical and spiritual wellness.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
5 Action Steps for Balanced Nourishment
Pause and Pray Before You Eat
Before reaching for a snack or meal—especially when stressed—take a sixty-second pause. Ask yourself if you are physically hungry or emotionally empty. If it is emotional, spend that minute casting your cares on God instead of turning to the pantry.
Establish a Daily Scripture First-Fruits Routine
Commit to feeding your spirit before you feed your body in the morning. Open your Bible and read a passage, letting God's truth settle into your mind before your first meal of the day.
Commit One "Shield Verse" to Memory This Week
Pick a verse (such as Psalm 34:8 or Psalm 119:11) to memorize. Write it on a sticky note and place it on your refrigerator or kitchen cabinet. When temptation strikes, read it aloud to allow the Holy Spirit to redirect your thoughts.
Connect with an Accountability Partner
Reach out to a trusted, godly friend this week. Share your desire to pursue B.A.L.A.N.C.E.D. living and ask them to check in on you. Give them permission to ask how you are doing with both your physical nutrition and your spiritual devotion.
Keep a Daily Gratitude and Praise Journal
Every evening, write down three things you are praising God for. Actively practicing gratitude shifts your attitude away from scarcity and loneliness, filling your heart with a peace that worldly comforts can never replicate.
Closing Thought
As you walk out this week, remember that wellness is a journey of grace, not perfection. God does not demand that you have it all figured out today; He simply asks that you abide in Him. When you feed your soul with His truth, your physical life will naturally begin to reflect His perfect balance. Trust Him with your appetite, trust Him with your hurts, and let Him be the ultimate nourishment you seek.
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