The holidays are upon us. For many of us fortunate folks, it means more family get togethers, which means more food. Indulging in appetizers, deserts, and drinks becomes the norm.

If you consult your trusty friend Google, you will find a lot of useful tips.

• Drink more water
• Fix a plate rather than eating from the serving bowl to control portions
• Eat healthy before you go

These are just a few tricks that can be helpful. But what if these don’t work? What if the urge is just too strong?

The answer?

Call for help!

Trade in Google for God!

The Bible has a lot to say about temptation and taking care of ourselves. Maybe spending a few minutes in prayer will stop us long enough to make wise food decisions.

Here are a few of my favorites to read when I am feeling weak.

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
• Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
• Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
• Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “if you are the son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

This last verse is my favorite.

Jesus went 40 days without food. Some days after 40 minutes I feel like I am starving!! If we draw on His strength, we can endure any temptation.

Don’t let all your hard work from this year go to waste! Eat, drink, and be merry – just not TOO much!

Happy Holidays!