I'm asking for prayer, if it's okay.

I say that because I haven't been on this board in a very long time. Too long. But I feel that right now I really need prayer. I am really feeling down. I struggled with depression for years (11+) of which the Lord delivered me from! Praise God. However, I feel that for the past week I have been just really blue. I haven't been my usual self. I am tired and I am sad. I think part of it may be the weather, although it's really nice and sunny outside, it is bitterly cold (8 degrees this morning). I hate the cold. But I know that is not my problem. My daughter is struggling with some things and I think that part of me is really feel responsible for her. The enemy is trying to bring depression back on me and onto my daughter as well. I have reached out to my pastors wife for prayer and I know she is praying for us. I am also in a place with my weight loss that has me scared. I have lost 102 lbs. I have plateaued for the past two months. Honestly if I don't lose any more weight I am happy with myself. I would love to reach my goal but I know that I am healthy and active and doing well. Still, I want to get to that goal! I decided to do the plateau buster diet this week and I swear I am sad over the food that I cannot eat. This makes me feel guilty because I know that food still has a "stronghold" in my life. I have allowed myself to eat a lot of things that I know are not good regular foods for me. I know that is why I have plateaued. I am frustrated with myself that I WANT to eat and I WANT to eat the wrong foods. It has nothing to do with hunger, I am not hungry! It's all in my mind. I know that I need some renewing of my mind. I am praying that the Lord will help me overcome. Yesterday I gave in to my desires and ate three cookies. Then of course comes the guilt and shame over not being strong enough to say no to the cookies. Today is a new day and I am fighting tooth and nail with myself to not eat the crackers in my desk. I have good high protein food with me but I want other stuff. Why does this have to be such a struggle for me? Why can't I just defeat this once and for all? Part of me doesn't want to defeat it because I have it in my head that in order to defeat the desire to want the wrong foods I will have to NEVER have them again. And that makes me very sad! Am I going nuts here? Anyway, I don't mean to take up so much time. I am just struggling right now and would appreciate any prayers you won't mind offering up for me. I am praying for you all too. Thanks for "listening". Hugs, Robin

Dear Robin, I am praying for you. The struggles you have described (especially with food) so closely resemble my thoughts and struggles. I know exactly where you are coming from. I think that helps spur on depression as well. Then it turns into a downward spiral....and btw has satin smiling. His goal is to make us feel so horrible about ourselves that we lose hope. But don't lose hope, sister. I am praying for you.... and so are a lot of other people reading this! Just try to get through one minute, one meal, one day at a time. I'm praying for your daughter too. God knows the story... and it is my privledge to intercede on your behalf. Father, I lift up to you Robin and her daughter and ask that you envelop them with Your love and protection. Give them that peace, YOUR peace, that surpasses all understanding. Whatever struggles they are dealing with, Lord, help them to know that YOU are in control and You know every hair on their heads. You work all things for the good of those who love You, Lord. And we DO love You. So God, bless Robin and her daughter and help them through this difficult time, as only You can. Praise you, Lord for your steadfast love. In Jesus' name we pray.... Amen.

Wow, what an awesome prayer. Thank you so much for the support. Hugs, Robin

Great prayer and I say Amen to it and ask that the Lord would give us each these assurances!!! Amen, and Amen!!! ~Carolyn

I am reading an excellent book right now that addresses what you describe, as well as where I am at right now. Beth Moore's "Get Out of That Pit." It is about all the pits we find ourselves in, and it is filled with Biblical Truth. I struggle with the temptations for food all the time. I believe my eating disorder/addictions are my thorns, as described in 2 Corinthians. I must see this from God's persective. What helps me is to study the life of missionaries and the people they serve, where they don't have a lot of creature comforts, and food choices. It gives me a sense of gratitude. Speaking of gratitude. My therapist has me doing a Gratitude Journal for homework. Every night I have to write down something I am grateful for. In looking over my journal, and I have been doing it for over two weeks now, I am learning how blessed I am. Satan still wants to get in there and mess with my thinking and get me to feel sorry for myself, but I am learning more about God and His awesome love for me all the time. Hang in there. Post as often as you like. You are loved here and by the Lord. Hugs, Trish

I have been wondering about this book-I will have to get it now!! Thanks amy

I enjoy Beth Moore, I will have to get this book. Thanks so much for the encouragement and prayers. Hgus, Robin

I can so relate and right now I am releasing my prayers for you. I have also suffered with depression for 11+ years myself and it is closely related to my weight gain and my need for surgery now. God delivered me from the worst part of my depression(the hatred of the man who sexually abused me for 12 years) and I know he will deliver me from this as well. Food is comfort for me sometimes and unfortunately comfort foods are high carb for me. I know that it is can be a stronghold for the enemy and I pray about it all the time. There are so many books that have helped me-the Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer is very good and I love beth Moore and Paula White as well because they all speak to women about issues like this. You are not going crazy. You are going through trials, but God will carry you through. hugs-Amy

I know that what the Lord delivered me from several years back is real and true. The enemy of our souls tries to pull me back down but I know that these other things the Lord will deliver me from too. And you too!!! Thanks for the encouragement. Hugs, Robin

You are in my prayers. I can identify with your feelings.