Most of us have grown up with Cookie Monster on Sesame Street. We know the cute, blue fuzz ball who just gets frantic at the sight and thought of cookies. Anyone out there in that club?
For those of us with food and body image issues, the preoccupation can be toward any food. Perhaps cookies are not the thing which compels us. Maybe it’s ice cream, pasta, candy bars, crackers or Jell-O. Whatever our “thing” is, it seems to render us obsessed and, before we know it, we’re acting just like our blue friend.
“C is for cookie – and that’s good enough for me.” Indeed.
Scripture tells us we’re missing a huge point in our monster obsession with cookies or anything else which is tasty:
“Is not life more than food?” Jesus, in Matthew 6:25
God tells us He’ll fill our hunger and thirst:
And Jesus said unto them, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
But that’s the point: God. Not cookies, not any other thing.
I know, easier said than done. But that’s part of the recovery work, isn’t it? Recognizing things for what they are and for what they represent to us. Does our chosen food mean safety, excitement, happiness, freedom or comfort? It’s not just a cookie. What’s behind the cookie? Choosing not to face that symbolic cookie will eventually create an environment for a monster to become unrestrained. I’ve done it; you’ve done it.
Where is God in our food issues, eating disorders and choices? Whatever, wherever and however God is, rest assured, He wants to be more. Will we let Him be that?