PWLP: Week Five - Lesson Seven

Personal Evaluation

1. What part of the PRAY concept do you find most helpful? Why?    I find the "Y - You must acknowledge the power of choice and take responsibility for your actions!" most helpful. I find it helpful because sometimes I like to blame my situation on other people and circumstances, instead of understanding and acknowledging that the only reason I'm in this predicament is because of my own actions.

2. What part of the concept do you find difficult? How and why?    I find the "A - Acknowledge the power you (as a child of God) have available" the most difficult, because too often I feel defeated in my pursuit of a new and healthier life. I feel like, when I don't see immediate results or if I plateau out, I'll always be fat - that I was born to be a 'fat' person. But I need to understand that God is SO willing and able to help me out, and with His help, nothing is impossible.

3. How do you feel when you hear the term "self-control"?    I feel empowered. Motivated. Determined. It used to be intimidating, especially in regards to my 'self-control,' or lack thereof, with food. Now, after starting PRISM, however, I feel like my life is finally back in my grasp - I'm able to be controlled in the way I eat and what I eat.

4. How does self-control produce freedom in your life? How can you attain it in the area of eating?    Self-control allows me to eat what I want, when I want it, but in respectable quantities and in a controlled manner. It allows me to accept myself and not to be bogged down with self-hatred. I can attain self-control by following the guidelines of PRISM, and by overcoming my addiction to food.

5. Is self-control a natural reaction or a learned behavior? How does that challenge you today?    I think in some people, self-control is a more inherent reaction, but for me, personally, it's a learned behavior. Self-control doesn't come easily to me, so I must work for it to become instinctual. Self-control challenges me every day, as it's in my nature to throw caution to the wind and not approach food with control. It especially challenges me in what I eat - I lack control to eat certain foods over others. It's definitely a learned process.