Love to Eat Hate to Eat by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick brings us squarely to the spiritual truth about our eating. While she reminds us that God loves us no matter our size, she also reminds us God's plan is for us to glorify Him in all we do, including eating. I like her emphasis on God's desire to transform us on the inside, a much deeper transformation than our outer appearance. I really like her teaching that we will ever only find satisfaction when our life is centered on God. She admonishes us to remember that our focus should be on pleasing God, not our bellies.

There are many helpful issues addressed in this book, such as the truth about our outer appearance. Yes, we are to care for our bodies because they are created in God's image, but we are to also have a proper view of beauty and what beauty is in God's eyes. I really like her emphasis on the role of our thoughts and her good ideas on how to conform them to God's Word.

I had not thought of transforming my eating as a spiritual discipline. Fitzpatrick suggests a practical plan of admitting our sin, seeking to conform our thoughts to God's thinking, and persevering in the practice of disciplined eating. She has added a number of pages at the end of the book for recording the daily act of discipline.

While information on food, nutrition, exercise, etc. is included, the emphasis of the book is on the spiritual nature of our food consumption. Questions for discussion and reflection are included at the end of each chapter so this would be a good book for a small group. You'll find helpful information, inspiring encouragement and good suggestions for transforming your life with respect to food.

Food for thought: There is no Scripture that commands or even commends thinness. (Loc 498/2736)

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Elyse Fitzpatrick is the head of Women Helping Women Ministries and holds an MA in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. The has written more than two dozen books and is a frequent speaker at women's conferences. She and her husband have three grown children and six grandchildren. You can find out more at www.elysefitzpatrick.com.

Harvest House Publishers, 256 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)