GIVEAWAY: Full

Gwen SmithBlog, Giveaways 146 Comments

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

I’m super excited because it’s GIVEAWAY DAY! Today I’m honored to introduce you to my bloggy friend ASHERITAH CIUCIU and her wonderful book FULL, Food, Jesus and the Battle for Satisfaction. This sweet, young momma is something special and so is her message! She’s a gentle soul with depth beyond her years and a tenderness that makes you trust her immediately and want to be her girlfriend. FUN STORY… Asheritah and her family live in the same area where my Smith crew and I lived in Ohio before we moved away 16 years ago… and she and HER young family go to the SAME CHURCH where Brad and I got married and were actively involved for more than 10 years! {Small world. BIG God!}

Prepare for a fresh door of your heart to be opened (possibly kicked in) as you savor this excerpt from FULL by Asheritah CiuCiu…

 

Whenever I walk into my mom’s kitchen, I look for something to munch on. Like Pavlov’s dog and the bell, I walk into her house and feel my mouth water with eager anticipation. And unfortunately, I often check all reason and self-control at the door. For as much as I love my mom’s kitchen, I find I need to be watchful, because the temptation to eat out of boredom, habit, or anxiety is overpowering.It doesn’t matter if I’ve just had lunch—simply stepping foot into the kitchen is enough to make me start searching the table, countertop, fridge, and cupboards for something yummy. I guess you could say I’ve been trained to do so because my mom usually has something delicious on hand to feed us.

One of the key verses for any person who’s trying to resist temp­tation reads something like this, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.”

You know it, right? It’s a feel-good verse that gives us courage and hope as we face our own giants of temptation.

But the passage doesn’t stop there. It goes on to say, “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:13–14).

How interesting that this passage about resisting temptation is followed so closely with an admonition to stay away from idolatry!

The truth is, whenever we turn to food to soothe us, we’re essen­tially making food our idol.

It’s what happens if we drink a can of soda to fix our restless night or turn to the secret stash of chocolates when we get frustrated with the kids or mindlessly munch on crackers at the holiday party because we feel lonely or drown our sorrow of a botched date in a bottle of wine or a pint of ice cream.

Whenever we eat to solve our emotional issues, we only exacerbate our problems, because once the initial pleasure of eating wears off, we feel guilt, shame, and disappointment in addition to the initial emotion that drove us to food in the first place. Food can’t help us out; only God can.

Until we turn away from our idols of food, health, skinny thighs, or whatever else we’re trusting for our satisfaction, and turn instead to the one truth, God, we will never find freedom because “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

However, when we recognize that God is not only big enough to handle our problems but that He is the only one who can set us free, we properly acknowledge Him as the source of our satisfaction and we release food to its proper place: a good gift to be enjoyed from a good God.

Food loses its stronghold when there’s no place for it to set foot. If all our needs are met in God, if He becomes our satisfaction every morning, then we can “sing for joy and be glad” all our days (Psalm 90:14). No self-administered chocolate treatment required.

Because God’s love is everlasting and it is enough. It’s wider and longer and higher and deeper than what we can fathom (Ephesians 3:18). We can dive headfirst into His love and soak it in, enjoying it completely without worrying about unfavorable side effects.

No added pounds.

No stomach aches.

No social stigma.

Just pure, won­derful, abounding love and satisfaction.

 

Congratulations to our giveaway winners- Becky Engblom and Jenny Laney!

Asheritah is giving away two copies of Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction. That’s right, two people will win a copy this week!

To qualify for the drawing, you need to do TWO things:

#1. LEAVE A COMMENT to win by CLICKING HERE.

#2. SHARE THIS POST on social media.

That’s it! Once you do both, your name will be entered into the random drawing. Be sure to tell your friends so they can sign up too. The drawing will take place on Monday, May 8th, so don’t delay! {Contest is limited to US and Canada readers only.}


…AND WE HAVE A BONUS… !!!

Asheritah wants to extend an invitation for you to discover this God-given satisfaction. Join the 7-day Truth & Dare Food Challenge at www.theFULL.life and uncover 7 powerful truths and 7 bold dares that will change your eating (and your life) forever!

 

Asheritah Ciuciu is the author of Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction and a popular blogger and speaker. She grew up in Romania as a missionary kid and studied English and Women’s Ministry at Cedarville University in Ohio. Her passion is leading women deeper with Jesus through daily devotions and spiritual disciplines, both in her local church and around the world through digital discipleship at www.onethingalone.com. Asheritah is married to Flaviu, her childhood sweetheart, and together they raise their spunky children in northeast Ohio.

 

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Comments 146

  1. Oh boy, I think I need to read this book. I rarely eat when I am bored or emotional but skipping meals isn’t the best way to “eat” either. Thanks for letting me know about this!

  2. It was a joy to open my email this morning and find this post. I was having a talk with myself about losing weight and why I put the weight on – eating in disappointment, hurt, anger. We all know the drill. This post and the Bible verses just spoke to me. Thank you for your words of wisdom and God’s word.

  3. I never thought of how turning to food to meet my different need was idolatrous but yes now I can see how it is. Thank you for giving me this new perspective, this me finally be what helps me to turn from food as my comforter to Jesus as my Comforter.

  4. When I was younger I didn’t eat because I was anxious. Now I am way less anxious and I eat a lot more. Of course, my metabolism isn’t what it used to be. I need to quit over-indulging and focus more on God. I’m sure this book is amazing!

  5. Sounds like an awesome book and who hasn’t struggled with overeating at one time or another?

  6. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to receive this book!! I hope and have been praying everything is going well with your home!

  7. I am reading a sample of this book and it sounds so much like me would love to be able to read the whole book and share the wonderful findings in the book with my family!
    Amazing writter, thank you inspirational.

  8. I memorized I Corinthians 10:13 years and years ago. Never thought of it in this context, but it makes perfect sense. Also love this: The truth is, whenever we turn to food to soothe us, we’re essentially making food our idol.

  9. Wonderful! I was taught by example that food is the comfort you run to, even though my mom, grandma, and aunts were all great Christian women. I love that ladies of faith are finally taking this challenge head-on: choosing ANYTHING before God is idolatry, even food. It’s not just a bad habit, it is sin. Thank you for helping those of us who really struggle here!

  10. Thank you so much for putting into words the battle I deal with on a daily basis! I’ve confessed my idolatry and lack of (excercising my!) self control many nights. and while trusting God’s promise to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness, I want to do better! it seems like two things are happening at the same time: I confess how ridiculous it is for me to seek comfort or satisfaction in so weak and idol as food, knowing it will not give me what I need deep inside – and then – when I’ve given into it – think of how little I stand up to the temptation versus what Jesus endured for MY redemption. I want to read your book and WIN this battle in prayer, mindfulness and obedience!!!
    Thank you!

  11. I struggled with my weight for more than 20 years. Sounds like a book I need to read. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book, ” FULL, Food, Jesus and the Battle for Satisfaction”.

  12. This sounds like a great read. I want to be more full on Jesus these days instead of food. Been battling depression after losing my dad to stage 4 lung cancer and I’m a breast cancer survivor.
    I guess God’s not done with me get.

  13. I love your name Asherita! And your book sounds wonderful. I’ve struggled with weight issues my whole life and I’d love to learn how to turn that struggle completely over to God and let it go!

  14. How great is our God He knows what I need as I was praying about this very thing. How I am tired of being overweight and struggling with food. I am at my heaviest I’ve ever been after all last spring and summer I was biking everywhere till I was hit by a car that broke both my tibia and fibia fractured my right wrist and dislocated my left shoulder and fractured it. Which was just a start of the storm as my baby Y boy took his life a month shy of his 17th birthday whith my husband than needing a major surgery to his cervical spine leading me to gain at least 50 lbs. However by the grace of God I am alive and able to walk. I could go on to share how God used the song Holy Spirit that day I was hit as I love to share his grace and mercy. Thank you for this blog even if I don’t win the drawing I was reminded once again that God is for me so who can be against me. Not myself. Nope! Have a blessed day!

    1. Oh my goodness, Becky. You’ve gone through so much. I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. I can’t even imagine.

      Holy Spirit, we have no words, but we ask that You comfort our sweet sister Becky in the way that only You can. No food can fill the void left by her son. No snack can take away the pain. But You make beautiful things out of brokenness, and You redeem what our enemy meant to destroy us. Be close to Becky as you wrap her in Your tender presence. May she understand afresh Your tender mercies as Your draw Her closer to You. Begin a work of healing and restoration in her life, and set her free from any besetting habits that take her away from You. May she find her comfort in Christ alone. Amen.

      1. Thank you for your sweet prayer! It has been a rough road as he had left to go to his dad’s 2 1/2 years prior and so the day of my accident was the first and last time I seen my son.
        But I know God has a plan for me not to harm but to prosper me to give me a hope and a future.
        Thank you again as your words were a soothing balm and through this I felt God speaking to me through you! So thank you and may God bless you!

  15. i could use this book, i’m new in Christ and have struggles everyday with accepting myself and loving myself the way God does… any good book to read is useful at this time, thank you for the chance to win and God bless

  16. I desperately need this book I am a comfort eater!! And I never win anything?Please make my day lol!!

  17. Thank you for sharing an excerpt from “Full” by Asheritah (what a beautiful name by the way). Yes, I have to admit, I am classified as obese and never really thought about food being my idol. Would greatly enjoy reading her book and applying what I read to a more meaningful walk with God.

  18. So need this. An area I struggle with and where the enemy pushes my buttons and commitment to my Beloved falters far too often. I am just getting to the point of learning to love myself as He sees and loves me. His temple , my body needs help.

    1. Yes! He loves us for who we are, not for what we’ve done (or failed to do). I just read Isaiah 43 this morning and it was such a beautiful reminder of His steady, unchanging love toward us. It’s His kindness that leads us to repentance. What a gift!

  19. Sounds like an amazing book! I know I would learn a lot and it would help me to lose weight and focus more on my relationship with God.

  20. I love to cook and bake from scratch,which can be fun and tastie but not so good for thee waist line. So much in this world is centered around how you look on the outside that we often forget about the inward beauty of a Christ filled heart, and the beauty it radiates. So if this book can help me grow in the likeness of king of my heart count me in. Blessings to all.

    1. Michelle, I’m a fellow foodie. And one of my most surprising discoveries in studying the Bible for what it says about food is that food is a good gift meant to point our hearts to God in worship. What a relief! I can have my cake and eat it too, if I eat it for God’s glory. (That’s the tricky part, isn’t it?)

  21. You are inspiring as always. I am sharing your things with the Women Ministries at my church. They love it all.

  22. This really hit home and was a great reminder of where we should go to get relief from our stressful days…always look to God. Your book sounds great.

  23. I never knew the Bible could help me lose weight until I read this story! I am always looking for a quick fix and all I do is end up with a bunch of diet books I don’t even use! The Bible has spiritual words that I can use everyday for spiritual reading and meditation! Thank you for reminding me!

    1. Absolutely! The Bible is SO applicable to every area of life, but even better, the Word of God (Jesus) is living and active, ready to help us every step of the way. As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you and honor your desire to surrender this area of your life to Him.

  24. I am not an emotional eater. I am the exact opposite. I lose my appetite. This book though sounds like it would be a great read in learning how to turn to God in our times of frustration, struggles and fears. Thank you for sharing her story. God Bless:)

    1. Hey Norma, thanks for sharing! In my research, I’ve found that food fixation can manifest itself in two different ways: emotional eating on the one end of the spectrum and obsessive healthy eating (or restrictive eating) at the other end of the spectrum. Either way, if our attention is on food (either eating or not eating), our eyes are not on Jesus. And whether it’s food, Facebook, or something else, we will only overcome when we take our worries to Jesus instead.

  25. Very interesting topic as well as inspiring, thanks for the outlook on emotional eating, this will help me and help me to encourage others. Thank you!

  26. Seems the older I get the more I run to food for comfort, as well as to satisfy sweet cravings. Interesting reading…would love to get to know the author!

  27. Thank you Asheritah.
    This was right on time. When I was consecration fasting last month I asked the lord to help me take better care of my temple. The past two weeks I have been on a no-sugar diet and joined a facebook group of 40 day sugar free folks. Just last night I stopped by zumba to get Curry tuna from a clinical herbalist. El Shaddai always knows what we need.

    1. If we’re talking about the same 40-Day Sugar Fast group (with Wendy Speake Brunner), that’s an AMAZING community of women who will walk with you through your sugar-free fast. Blessings to you as you seek His face!

  28. I have been praying for God to help me lose weight for awhile now. I have physical disabilities and want to take some weight off to help some of the pain I am experiencing. I know that overeating is a spiritual thing and I know I am trying to fill a void. Anyways, I would love to have this book.

  29. Just glancing through, I read this paragraph – “Until we turn away from our idols of food, health, skinny thighs, or whatever else we’re trusting for our satisfaction, and turn instead to the one truth, God, we will never find freedom because “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).”

    Idols of food – I’ve heard that before.
    But never idols of health and skinny thighs. Interesting thought.

    I’d love to read the book to understand and put into practice what she’s saying.

    1. It’s a bit jolting, isn’t it, Debbie? But anything we give the power to determine our happiness becomes an idol. Anything we turn to for comfort, satisfaction self-esteem can be an idol. That’s why the very first commandment is to love the Lord our God with ALL our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to have no other idols. They’re sneaky that way, but Jesus can set us free!

  30. Great excerpt! Just thinking about how I stress eat while at work and venture to family member’s pantry for tasty snacks (even when I’m not hungry)……. in so many areas of my life I seek fullness.

  31. It sounds like a great book. And I love how you started out with going to your moms house. My parents just moved back to the area last October. Walking into their house … ooooh my!!! My mom is Betty Crocker and beyond lol lol. When I would leave her house I would say, “sin looks better in her house”! After saying that a couple of times I realized what I was saying and doing! Oooh boy! I don’t believe I “fall into” sin. I walked right in every time I went to their house. Was very convicted (thank You Lord) and my husband and I have been on a new life style change (no diet) since January. Coffee is still my big comforter.
    This is going to be a great book thank you❤️

    1. Wow, Susan. It really helps to give voice to those hiding sins, doesn’t it? But there’s power in Jesus’ Name, and we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us and gave Himself for us! Blessings on you and your husband as you seek His face!

  32. I truly know listening to another mighty woman of God how Satan started this battle with food for women when he tempted Eve to disobey God and eat of the fruit God said not too. We truly need to trust God and turn to Him for emotional support. I recently had someone who was praying for me and my emotional battles, since childhood to give them to Jesus and tell Him you gave them to me and you have to help me deal. It’s an going battle food and I. Trusting God with my brokenness.

  33. I too, have struggled with this my entire life almost. I have tried all the “Worldly” ways, and one Christian one, but there is still something lacking. I loved all your scriptures! I identify with your kitchen story, and now that my mom is with Jesus, it is my mother-in-laws kitchen. I feel rewarded that my grand-kids will grab the banana off the kitchen counter, as I never have cookies in a jar like most grandmothers! Maybe we have broken the chain! I look forward to reading your book , one way or another.

    1. That’s been my prayer, too, Julie, that God would break this generational sin and make it stop with me. Too long has food fixation ravaged the women in my family and rendered us helpless and defeated. No more. Jesus has conquered this stronghold and set me free. I pray that freedom over my daughters as well. What a gift you’re giving your grandchildren!

  34. Eating is definitely more than mealtime for me, especially when someone upsets me or I am going through a lot of stress. I am now a type two Diabetic because I have used food for comfort instead of going to the one who can comfort me. I know that this book will help a lot of people.

  35. Food has been the enemy over the last few months. Been making bad decisions and seeking comfort choices instead of healthy choices. It does lead to poor dexisitikn making as well. Looking forward to a new season ahead.

  36. I’ve been trying to lead my aunt to Jesus and I think this book may help in a huge way. She has a huge heart but she is holding in some serious baggage and weight for that matter. She was recently told she needed to lose weight due to a second ankle fracture. I think this book is just what she needs.

    Thank you for this Fridays giveaway!

    Sheila

  37. Thank you for your words this morning. I struggle so much with food and self worth. I even try to allow the Holy Spirit to guide me, but when the day gets hard whose voice do I listen to but the enemies. No more! I am giving grace to myself and allowing the wind of the spirit to guide me. Be blessed today and I would love a copy of your book.

    1. Many blessings to you, Kathy, as you surrender to the Spirit one moment at a time. Don’t worry about tomorrow–give your all to Him today, and each day after that. One day (and one bite) at a time.

  38. I definitely turn to food instead of Jesus too many times! I want Him to be the first thing I run too, not the chips! I’m looking forward to reading Asheritah’s book.

  39. Thank you for your insights and what a blessing to know God can set me free. This food idol is destroying families, self esteem, relationships and is a wedge in a relationship with Jesus. Praising HIM!

  40. I so want help to control my eating. I am aware that God is the only solution. But this book would be a great way to learn God’s way.

  41. I have a feeling that this can be applied to more then just food. Not only am I going to enjoy reading it but a know a few others that it can help. Thanks for the chance to read it.

    1. Yes, absolutely! Food is just one of many places we run to for comfort. You can easily read this book and replace “food” with whatever idol has taken control of your life. The principles for victory are the same, straight out of Scripture. He is able!!

  42. I have been fighting my love of food and overeating for 56 years now…and I’m not seeing His light at the end of this tunnel. I’m looking forward to reading this book and having it encourage me, guide me, and FINALLY put food into it’s proper place in my life.

  43. I feel “Full” just reading this. I have that exact response when I walk into my Mom’s kitchen! So true. I can’t wait to read this new book! How uplifting this exerpt was to me on this rainy Friday. Thank you.

  44. This book would be a God send for me to receive! I struggle with a sugar addiction and need God’s help to overcome it. I would be so grateful for the help. Thank you….Peggy

  45. I have struggled with food and emotional eating my whole life. I feel like it is an uphill battle however I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! I would love to win this book.

  46. It sounds like Asheritah had me in mind when she wrote the book I would love to read the book to work on these issues I haven’t been able to control yet. Her writing style seems easy to read. Thanks for sharing the giveaway. It will be a blessing to whoever is fortunate to win it.

    1. Oh Sharon, I had YOU in mind. Not because I know you, but because every day I sat down to write I prayed that my words would reach the hearts of women like YOU right where YOU are. And the Holy Spirit is faithful to take our humble offering and multiply it in ways we cannot comprehend.

      Praying for you as you surrender this struggle to the Lord. May you find freedom and fullness in Christ alone.

  47. This is divine timing! I’ve been struggling with this my whole life and just finished a round of Whole 30 in hopes it will help break my emotional relationship with food! I cannot wait to read this!!!

  48. This is SO me. This is a must read. I need to turn to God instead of food for comfort. I’m excited to read this book!

  49. Unfortunately food is the go to for me and I truly thank GOD for his strength to abstain. Yet I do still struggle. With having the responsibility of raising my two grandchildren since my Daughters death 23 months ago I know the great importance of this responsibility and blessing that GOD has given me and am striving to maintain good health and also teaching the children to trust GOD for our strength in all areas of our lives. In Christ’s love Miss Rusty

    1. I’m so sorry for your loss, sweet Rusty. May the Lord strengthen you as you pour into those precious children. He will be faithful to complete the good work He started in and through you.

  50. Oh, how true and how much we need to be reminded of this Truth. At retirement age now I still resolve to this habit and have formed it in my children. Never to old to learn! Thank you for reminding me in such a sweet way! Love you! and I am passing this on to my “older” friends to share with their children because it’s never to late to learn or re-learn an old Truth!

    Thank you so much for your kindness and wisdom….may God bless you!

  51. Can’t wait to read these books. Temptation comes in all forms and I definitely need help in that department.

  52. I’m excited about this book. It is really hard sometimes not to use food for comfort especially when going through rough times.

  53. I can so relate to this passage, every time I enter my mom’s kitchen I head for the cookie jar!! Never considered the theory you outlined. I really appreciate your insight and reminder. Especially the part of God’s everlasting love for me!! I can feel safe and warmth just being with Him always. Thank you for sharing with me.

    1. That cookie jar! The bane of my existence! LOL

      But seriously–food is a good gift meant to turn our hearts to God in worship. We just need to make sure that we’re eating from a place of glorifying God instead of trying to soothe our hearts. Because it never works, does it?

    1. One of the things I discovered was that I often ate out of boredom without even realizing it. Giving voice to those lies, naming them, and then calling them our with God’s Truth was a pivotal point in my journey. I talk more about this in Chapter 3 of the book, but when we take our thoughts captive and make them submissive to Jesus Christ, we begin to see amazing transformations!

  54. The book sounds wonderful. A healthy way of eating and probably delicious homemade recipes too. What a combination!

  55. Eating food for comfort/stress relief has been a constant battle for me. I would love to win this, and when I’m finished with it, I will pass it on to my sister and then my Mom.

  56. Thanks so much for sharing this. It has resonated with me. So many times I do exactly the same thing. I even pray these verses as I’m sticking my hand in the cracker box!

    1. I totally get this, Gayle, because I’ve been in the same place. But He always gives us a way out. Search for the open door to flee temptation and declare your allegiance to Him alone. Only He can satisfy and meet us in the deepest place of need.

  57. Sounds like a great book! Your friend sounds like an amazing woman. God has definitely blessed her.

  58. YES SOME TIMES EATING IS MORE THAN COMFORT IT IS FOR NERVES ALSO AND HOW YOU RESPOND TO OTHERS IN TRIALS SO WE NEED NOT TO DO THIS BUT SOME TIMES WE DO IT ALSO OUT OF SOMEONE TURNING FROM YOU THAT YOU LOVE SO MUCH

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