What’s the best way to control emotional eating?  How about by getting our emotions under control?

It happened again yesterday. I had just given a friend some excellent advice — then failed to take it myself when I was in a similar situation.

“You don’t have to be a victim unless you choose to be one,” I told her. “You can decide to sit around and be mad and wring your hands, feeling helpless.  You can take proactive steps to get out of the situation. Or you can decide that this person isn’t going to control your emotions.  He is going to act in a hurtful way and say hurtful things.  You can accept that, accept him, and refuse to let him get to you.”

Well, then, what happened to me?  A person known for hurting me did yet another painful thing.  I spent the day angry, wringing my hands, and eating ice cream.  And, okay, I have to admit it. I know it was my choice to respond in that way.  Stupid choice.

That was yesterday, so today I will make a smarter decision. I will choose to accept that this pesky person will never change, but will always do things to hurt me.  I will refuse to to be angry, and live my life to the fullest in spite of the aggravation.  No one can get me down without my permission.

Next time I will practice what I preach.  And extra time on the treadmill for me today!

Eating to live and living for Christ,

Susan Jordan Brown