Control Feels Safe, But It’s Not Peace: Finding True Food Freedom in Christ

We need to have a little heart-to-heart, friend. Because if there’s one struggle I see over and over again in the women I work with, it’s this: clinging to control with food and body feels safe, but it’s not peace. And it’s definitely not freedom.

If you’ve ever thought, “If I could just control what I eat better… if I could just stick to my food rules… if I could just control my body shape or size, THEN I’d finally feel at peace” — this post is for you.

Peace and control are not the same thing. In fact, they’re polar opposites. And I’m going to show you why today — with a little tough love, a lot of grace, and some Jesus-centered encouragement along the way. ❤️

Why Control Feels Like Safety (But Isn’t)

Let’s be real for a sec. Control feels safe. It feels predictable. It feels like we’re putting ourselves in the driver’s seat, keeping the chaos of life neatly packed into a box (or a color-coded planner 🙋‍♀️).

But here’s the deal: control is a counterfeit version of peace.

Think about it like this: Imagine you’re driving on a busy interstate, gripping the steering wheel so tightly your knuckles are white. Technically, you’re “in control,” but do you actually feel relaxed? Nope. You’re tense, anxious, hyper-alert. That is NOT peace.

Food control works the same way. You may cling to food rules or exercise rules thinking they’ll give you confidence. But what they actually give you is fear — fear of breaking the rules, fear of gaining weight, fear of letting go.

Friend, you weren’t designed to live in fear. God didn’t create you to white-knuckle your way through life or through lunch. ✋

Control vs. Confidence: The Big Difference

Here’s where so many women get tripped up: confusing control with confidence.

👉 Control is rooted in fear.
👉 Confidence is rooted in trust.

Confidence isn’t about perfectly following a diet plan or staying on track with a rigid workout schedule. Confidence is knowing you can trust your body, trust yourself, and most importantly, trust the Lord to guide you.

And that, friend, is where the real peace lies. Not in controlling every bite, but in learning to lean into trust — the kind of trust that says: “God is with me, even in the messy middle.”

The Vicious Cycle of Food Rules

Let’s talk about food rules (and yes, body rules too).

Food rules give you the illusion of safety. “Don’t eat carbs after 7.” “Only eat clean.” “You have to burn off what you ate.”
But in reality? They create a never-ending cycle:

1. You follow the rule. ✅ You feel in control (temporarily).
   
   
2. You slip up. ❌ Anxiety spikes.
   
   
3. You blame yourself instead of the rule. (“I just need more discipline!”)
   
   
4. You double down on more rules… which just fuels the anxiety further.
   
   

See the trap? Rules don’t lead to freedom — they just keep you juggling more and more balls while walking on a tightrope. And eventually, everything comes crashing down. 😬

Instead, what if you loosened your grip? What if you chose trust over rules?

Breaking the Rules Can Lead to Freedom

Here’s something you might not expect me to say: Sometimes breaking the rules is exactly what you need to do. 🙃

I know, I know. That sounds rebellious. But hear me out.

Just like taking the scenic back road instead of the jam-packed highway, breaking free from rigid food rules may feel slower, scarier, or less direct at first. But the journey is so much better. You discover beauty, joy, and peace along the way.

When you break free from food rules, you:

• Experience meals without guilt.
  
  
• Learn to actually listen to your body’s needs.
  
  
• Create space to connect with God, instead of obsessing over calories.
  
  

That’s not rebellion — that’s freedom.

Trust Is the Path to Peace

So if control doesn’t equal peace, what does?

TRUST.

Trusting your body. Trusting yourself. And ultimately, trusting God.

But let’s get practical: if you’ve been living in control-mode for years (or decades), learning to trust again won’t happen overnight. It’s a process. That’s why I created the Body Trust Framework Series on the podcast (episodes 73–76). In it, I break down the steps to move from anxiety and rule-following into trust and confidence.

Trust doesn’t mean you’ll never struggle. But it means you don’t have to do it alone. You can lean on God’s Word and His presence, even when the journey feels messy.

A Faith-Filled Invitation

Friend, if control has been your default setting for years, let me say this clearly: You don’t have to live this way anymore.

Peace is possible. Freedom is possible. Joy is possible. And it doesn’t come from food rules, scales, or white-knuckled discipline. It comes from trust — especially trust in the One who made you.

If this message hits home, here are two ways I’d love to support you:

1. Join our free Facebook community — Food Freedom and Body Image Support for Christian Women. You’ll find nearly 600 other women walking this same journey, along with encouragement, accountability, and support. Come join us at community.brittanybraswellrd.com
   
   
2. Work with me 1:1 — If you’re ready to go deeper and finally break free from control, let’s walk through the process step by step together. You can apply for coaching here: brittanybraswellrd.com/coaching.
   
   

And of course, don’t forget to subscribe to the Faith-Filled Food Freedom Podcast so you never miss a new episode. 🎧

Final Word of Encouragement

Even though control might feel safe right now, it’s not peace. Real peace doesn’t come from controlling your body, your food, or your circumstances. It comes from trusting God in the chaos, choosing freedom over fear, and leaning into the truth that you are fully loved, exactly as you are.

So next time you catch yourself clinging to control, pause and ask: Am I choosing fear… or am I choosing trust?

Because peace is waiting for you on the other side of control. And friend, it’s worth the journey. 💛