Anxious Over Chicken [Choosing Joy]

As soon as the words leave his lips, my heart begins to pound with anxious anticipation.

“Let’s go to Chick-fil-a for lunch.”

This suggestion seems innocent enough, but for a week a half now I have been doing well to make healthier food choices, but I had not yet been faced with a fast food challenge.  Immediately my mind scans through the menu of my family’s favorite restaurant.  A strong urge to order my usual fried chicken sandwich, no pickles, and fries with a diet soda overcomes me, and I am flooded with feelings of deprivation and even sadness because these options are not the best for my body.  “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Then I realize, at this moment, right now, I do not have to decide what I am going to order at Chick-fil-a.  When I get to the restaurant, I will worry about that, but for this moment, right now, there is no need for anxiety.  I take a deep breath and pray, “Thank you, Father for giving me peace to cling to when anxiety knocks on my door.”

We get to Chick-fil-a and my heart begins to flutter again.  The urge returns with a vengence. I want fried food…  “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

I pause and think, do I really want those foods?  No.  What I really want is a healthy body, peace of mind, confidence, and joy.  Again I take a deep breath and pray, “Thank you, Father, for giving me self-control to make decisions that support life and health.”  So when I march up to the counter and order the grilled chicken sandwich with a side of fruit and a water, there are no feelings of deprivation.  I got exactly what I wanted at Chick-fil-a, a meal that fits right in with my new healthy lifestyle.  And it was delicious!