I’m a glutton.*

This might be a surprise for those who know that one of my soapboxes is the state of nutrition in the U.S. I am also known for meal planning homemade dinners each night. (That’s also because I’m cheap and don’t want to spend so much money eating out.) I’m also open about the many hours (up to 80) that I choose not to eat.

But like most things, what you see isn’t the whole picture. There are days I’ve waited too long to eat, and once I start, I simply cannot stop. Or some days have been so busy that I don’t treat dinner as a time to relax. Instead, I inhale my food as if I’m still rushing—and then seem surprised when my food is gone. There are also times I look at people who stop eating when they’re content and wonder how they can do that because it’s not my normal tendency. Other times, I realize it’s not always about the quantity of what I’m eating but the attitude behind it.

So to address my gluttonous tendencies, I’ve started asking myself, “Am I satisfied?”

See, when I think about the times I’ve overindulged, I realize that gluttony has never once left me satisfied. Instead, I walk away (or lie down on the couch) feeling uncomfortable, wishing I had made different life choices or worn stretchy pants.

Because gluttony is usually tied to food, it’s easy to ask if I’m satisfied by the quantity of what I’ve consumed. However, the question I’ve been pondering even more is if I’m satisfied by God. Am I content with his provision and presence—or am I looking to food for that?

Here are some things I’ve been doing to help me be more satisfied—by a reasonable amount of food and by God.

Pray about it. Celebrate God for giving you the good gift of food. Also ask the Holy Spirit to give you the self-control to fuel your body wisely so you can use God’s gifts for his glory. Ask the Holy Spirit to prick your conscience when eating becomes gluttonous. Confess when you have sinned against the body you’re blessed with. Thank God for grace that covers all sins.

Slow down. I play solitaire when I eat by myself because it slows me down, which helps me feel satisfied sooner. I also use a smaller plate—and don’t automatically go back for seconds. If I’m eating with people, I cut my food into smaller pieces so I take smaller bites.

Consider your emotions. Are you a stress eater? Maybe you eat because food doesn’t let you down like people do. Or maybe you snack when you’re actually lonely or bored. Food won’t actually satisfy when you aren’t actually hungry. Jesus will. So will calling a friend, talking a walk, reading a book, or crossing off an item from your to-do list.

Ask for support. You aren’t the only one who has issues with gluttony. One friend and I have honest talks about the times we use food to meet a need other than fueling our bodies. We hold each other accountable, we encourage each other, and we give each other grace.

Praise the Lord. “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you” (Deuteronomy 8:10).

*Linda Buxa is a writer and speaker who has been dreading confessing she’s a glutton. She knew this blog would line up with Pastor Mike’s message about gluttony and thought about writing on a different topic. Instead, she knew it was more spiritually mature to confess her gluttonous moments even as she hoped that maybe only 12 people would read this.