I expect many of you are familiar with the phrase ‘diet mentality,’ but what exactly does it mean and most importantly, do you have one?!  Here are a few diagnostic questions to help you find out:

• Are you preoccupied with body image and a desire to be thinner?
• Do you weigh yourself several times a week (sometimes several times a day)?
• Do you starve yourself before weigh-ins and then binge afterwards?
• Does the number on the scales determine the kind of day you have?
• If you exercise, is it primarily to burn up calories?
• Are you out of tune with your body’s natural hunger and satisfaction signals?
• Is your eating often out of control?
• Do you stick to a self-imposed food allowance based on counting calories or points?
• Are you frightened about what might happen if you did not do this?
• Are you constantly thinking about food?
• Do you get despondent and guilty over not sticking to your rules?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then you do have a diet mentality. But don’t blame yourself for this – with the way the media seeks to either shame us or scare us into being thin, it is only to be expected. And yet it is this mentality, more than anything else, which sets you up for certain failure.

Now I want to ask you a simple question – those of you who are Christian believers: Do you really think that this kind of thinking comes from ‘a renewed mind’ or ‘the mind of Christ’? Does God lead us to become obsessive over food or focussed in on ourselves in a self-deprecating way? Of course not!  He wants to set us free! And since it is right thinking which will help us to go on and develop right attitudes and right behaviour, isn’t it of vital importance that we earnestly seek freedom from this unhealthy yoke, seeking instead to come under the ‘easy’ yoke Jesus?  We will surely develop a renewed mind as we consciously and conscientoiusly bring our thoughts in line with Biblical principles.

Is this possible?  Why yes, of course! You are a new creature in Christ and now the same Holy Spirit who has already been working in your life to set you free from slavery to other sins and affections will work in this practical area of your life also as you set your mind and heart on love and obedience to Him.