Dear Lindsey,
I just had to share some thoughts about eating in hopes that it would encourage you to make healthy choices (because I know I need to write this to encourage me, too!):
I LOVE salad! I LOVE fruits and veggies! Candy is not really my thing. Chocolate is only good once/week!
Do you believe me?
OK, I’m trying to believe me.
Philippians 4:8, says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
According to Tommy Newburg in his book, 4:8 Principle, “Acting your way into your feelings is simply the discipline that will align your behavior with values.” So I keep acting like I am a lean-food lover, in hopes that it becomes more and more true each day, and it does! I believe it is excellent to be thinking healthy thoughts – more so than thinking about the chocolate cake that used to call my name from the freezer. (See how I threw that past tense in there? “Used to” call my name? ha! It’s working!)
Control your thoughts; they lead to actions. (James 1:14-15)
Have a blessed and healthy week!
You are in my prayers,
Terri
Letters to Lindsey 
I am sooooo working on this one with specific intent!!! 2012 will be better.
Blessings,
Tina Abernathy
Thank you so much for putting yourself out to the ladies on the TEAM! It’s such a blessing to be able to follow a leading lady through blogs. I enjoy the guys, but a woman’s perspective is much appreciated. Thank you for all you do!
Thank you for such a wonderful, totally non-victim “food for thought!” Your post really eradicates the excuse “I feel like” paired with “I cannot control my thoughts/feelings” when one realizes that our positive actions can encourage healthier feelings! Again, thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Terry, Thank-you so much for your wise and encouraging words. I really needed them today. God Bless
I am “acting my way into feeling” that I processed foods are not convenient and tasty. Really, homemade brownies do taste much better anyway! Thanks for consistently leading the way in this area of LIFE. Love ya!
Terri,
Making healthy choices with my eating has long been a struggle for me, too. Thank you for addressing this oh-so-potentially-touchy topic with such sensitivity and grace!! And thank you for giving a new and better perspective to it.
Thanks for the reminder. This has been something I began figuring out on my own when I was 14 (“Smile. You’ll feel better,” I used to tell myself.). Gretchen Rubin in her book The Happiness Project says the same thing. I need to apply this to my life right now: Act energetic to feel energetic. Act happy to feel happy. Act grateful to feel grateful.
Warmest,
Shandi
I needed this today. Not so much in regards to my eating habits (although I need it for that too), but in response to a complete lack of integrity shown by someone that should have been a friend. Instead of focusing on what this person did to my husband and I, I choose to focus on the positive things that God has set before me. Thank you for sharing your heart with me today. 🙂