Self-control

July 8, 2025

From Pastor Joseph Wamack

I have always had a “love/hate relationship” with food. It has been my closest friend and my worst enemy. I was raised in a home where food was used as a reward, as celebration, and as a diversion to fight boredom. I was taught to clean my plate because of “all the poor kids around the world.” Food was more than sustenance to me. It was my comfort, friend and my greatest weakness.

I was a chubby boy until the age of 15. I have many memories of embarrassment associated with that.

At the pool, I was laughed at, when I had to take my shirt off or when I had to buy pants from the “husky” department. I have always had a sensitivity to those struggling with weight. I have tried so hard to eat right, to diet, but I always find myself cheating and making excuses. In my mind (and actions), I sometimes follow a list like this:

• If you eat something and no one sees you eat it, it has no calories.

• If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, the calories in the candy bar are cancelled out by the diet soda.

• If you fatten up everyone else around you, then you look thinner.

• Movie related foods (Milk Duds, Buttered Popcorn, Junior Mints, Red Hots, Tootsie Rolls, etc.) do not have calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.

• Foods that are frozen have no calories because calories are units of heat. Examples are ice cream, frozen pies, and popsicles. 

Pretty self-defeating, huh? At its essence, eating well is a reflection of what we think about ourselves because in the end, we must deal with the consequences of our food choices. It is not about dieting, but choosing to make wise nutritional choices. Self-control is a wonderful, God-given gift. Galatians 5:23 tells us self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit-it comes from God. Self-control allows us to respond to a higher calling, whether it is nutrition, career goals, relationship goals or fitness. We choose to respond to our highest good and not be controlled by appetite, which is a very present, hungry animal. Appetite wants what it wants, and it wants it now. Believe me, I know.

Self-control says “let’s make the better choice”. I still love food, still struggle with it. But I pray for self-control in all things and love for God. Because when I realize God loves me, I can respond and love Him back. Then I can love myself because I see my worth, and then I can make the best choices. I am sure you have your struggles as well. I am here for you if you need support.