Today I want to ‘fess up to my top five spiritual junk foods.

Junk food is so good.  Especially in the summer.  There’s something about being out in hot weather and flip flops that makes junk food irresistible.  The people at amusement parks have figured this out, so they sell food that’s fast and fried.  Throw in an ice cold drink, and you’re golden!

I am super health conscious in my everyday diet.  But, when I’m out on vacation, it’s the perfect excuse to EAT JUNK FOOD, PEOPLE.  Let the games begin!

It’s no different with my spiritual diet.  I can’t even claim that I eat faith-packed bread from the Word every day. Yet, I find myself reaching for some spiritual junk food every now and then.

The first step in establishing a healthy diet is getting rid of the bad stuff.

I’m going to let you in on my Top Five Spiritual Junk Foods that knock me off the spiritual training program God has me on. I hope you enjoy my confessional.

My Top 5 Spiritual Junk Foods

1.  People-Pleasing Pie. This pie is really good.  It’s sweet and instantly gratifying.  But, later, it leaves me with a tummy ache.  Because you know, people are very fickle and their desires are constantly changing.  I hate failing others.  It sucks not being liked. And yes, eating this pie is addicting.  It’s a sure fire way to keep busy trying to gain others’ approval instead of receiving it from God guilt-free.

2.  Personal Development Candy Bar. This sugary snack has me trying to make it a great day on my own optimism.  It may feel empowering to repeat self empowering platitudes. But at the end of the day, trusting in myself keeps me up at night.  It’s a lot of work to keeping it all together.  Sugar crash.

Being powered up by God’s Spirit is so much more real.  He is the real Snicker’s bar. He really satisfies.

3.  Problem Solving Crunchy Chips. Mmm.  I love crunching on chips.  There’s something soothing about working on a bag of problems to solve.  It gets especially habit forming when they’re flavored with worry.  When will my writing career take off? Crunch.  What will we do if Hubby loses his job? Crunch.  What if I join the new small group at church and I don’t fit in? Crunch. Crunch.

To get my salty fix, I need to grab my bag of Sonchips.  100% trustworthy and sodium-free.

4.  Pity Party Ice Cream. Baskin Robbins’ upcoming 32nd flavor is my guilty pleasure.  One scoop of self-pity isn’t enough.  After a rough day, I plop myself down on the sofa with a big spoon in one hand and a pint of “woe is me'” in the other.  On the days I really need to really party hard, I send out invitations to my Hubby and girlfriends.It’s a good thing when God crashes the party.

It’s much better when God shows up and talks some sense into me.

5.  I’m-So-Busy Soda. When I’m thirsty for some meaning in my life, chugging down some I’m-So-Busy Soda really hits the spot.  Between work, friends, family, ministry and my pretty ol’ self, I end up at the Big Gulp filling station.  It’s easy to pack my schedule with things to do and places to go.  Unfortunately, being busy is also the best recipe for b-u-r-n  o-u-t. I don’t care for the burnt out look, if you know what I mean.

Gotta make a trek to the well for a drink from the Living Water.

It’s hard to not succumb to munchies. When I’m feeling tired, weary or discouraged is when I’m most vulnerable.  Rather than turning to the Word or taking it to prayer, I tend to fill my tummy with spiritual junk food.

Junk food for my body is okay every now and then.  The stuff may curb my appetite.  But, when it comes to spiritual junk food, it’s just empty calories.

God is the real Snicker’s bar. He really satisfies.

What spiritual junk food do you reach for when you get craving for the munchies?

Be sure to catch my follow-up post about my My Top 5 Spiritual Soul Foods. Just subscribe via RSS or Subscribe via Email and you’ll get the latest updates!

Update: Click here to read “My Top 5 Spiritual Soul Foods”.