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A month or so ago, I heard a radio broadcast in which the
president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst, was interviewed about her
book Made to Crave: Satisfying Your
Deepest Desire With God, Not Food.
president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst, was interviewed about her
book Made to Crave: Satisfying Your
Deepest Desire With God, Not Food.
She explained how she’d tried losing weight several times in
her life, how sometimes she’d succeed, other times fail. How it was all a
vicious cycle. How she continually felt defeated by her lack of willpower when
it came to food.
her life, how sometimes she’d succeed, other times fail. How it was all a
vicious cycle. How she continually felt defeated by her lack of willpower when
it came to food.
I perked up.
Because I’ve felt the same way.
See, I’m super disciplined when it comes to most areas of my
life: work, school (when I had it), social life, church service, etc.
life: work, school (when I had it), social life, church service, etc.
But not when it comes to food.
It’s the area where I let myself slack off. Where I may have
a fierce determination but then let go in a moment of weakness. Or boredom. Or
tears.
a fierce determination but then let go in a moment of weakness. Or boredom. Or
tears.
As I listened to the interview and learned more about the
book, I decided I had to read it.
book, I decided I had to read it.
The premise of the book is basically that we all have
cravings. In fact, God designed us with a craving: for Him. But we fill it with
other things, like food.
cravings. In fact, God designed us with a craving: for Him. But we fill it with
other things, like food.
In fact, if we’re not careful, food can become an idol, a
sort of twisted deity in our lives.
sort of twisted deity in our lives.
We seek comfort from
it.
it.
Like when I have a bad day and my first instinct is to stop
by Dairy Queen for an Oreo Blizzard.
by Dairy Queen for an Oreo Blizzard.
We make it a
priority, maybe even rearrange our schedule around it.
priority, maybe even rearrange our schedule around it.
Like when I promised myself (and God) I’d read my Bible or
write on my lunch break, but my coworkers are going out to Chipotle, and that
sounds so yummy. Much better than the salad I packed.
write on my lunch break, but my coworkers are going out to Chipotle, and that
sounds so yummy. Much better than the salad I packed.
We think about it and
meditate on it.
meditate on it.
Like when work is super stressful but just the thought of
the awesome pizza I have for lunch is enough to brighten my day and get me
through.
the awesome pizza I have for lunch is enough to brighten my day and get me
through.
As I am reading this book, I’m realizing how much power I’ve
let food have over my life. Maybe that sounds silly to you. But the word “food”
could be replaced with any number of nouns: TV/movies, books, significant other,
achievements, work.
let food have over my life. Maybe that sounds silly to you. But the word “food”
could be replaced with any number of nouns: TV/movies, books, significant other,
achievements, work.
Basically, anything that trumps God in your life.
Because I should be
getting my comfort from Him. When I’ve had a bad day, my first source of
consolation should be found in His Word and in prayer.
getting my comfort from Him. When I’ve had a bad day, my first source of
consolation should be found in His Word and in prayer.
And He should be my
priority. Spending time with Him should be the first thing I set daily in
stone.
priority. Spending time with Him should be the first thing I set daily in
stone.
And I should be
thinking about Him all day. He should be the one to strengthen me. I should
be meditating on His Word and on the joy and freedom found in knowing Him.
thinking about Him all day. He should be the one to strengthen me. I should
be meditating on His Word and on the joy and freedom found in knowing Him.
One mantra that TerKeurst repeats throughout the book is “You
were made for more than this.”
were made for more than this.”
So, I was made for more than to be defined by how much I
weigh.
weigh.
I was made for more than to sit on the sidelines, wishing
for a better attitude, when prayer would do wonders.
for a better attitude, when prayer would do wonders.
And I was made for more than to be controlled by my cravings
and ruled by guilt.
and ruled by guilt.
I was made for more.
I was made for Him.
Your Turn: Fill in
the blank: I was made for more than ________________________.
the blank: I was made for more than ________________________.
Great post, Lindsay! And I think so many of us can relate to this struggle. I haven't read this book, but I have read the devotional and really enjoyed it.
This week, I think I need to remind myself that I was made for more than worrying. Rather, I was made for trusting in my Creator. Thanks so much, Lindsay! 🙂
I didn't realize there was a devotional! Maybe I'll have to look into that…
And YES! I'm such a worrier, too. I struggle with it daily. Hourly. Minute-ly. (Yes, I think I made up that last word!)
I was made for more than stress. I've been so busy these past few weeks, I think it's starting to catch up to me and I need to stop and ask myself why I let my schedule get so hectic. Have I turned being busy into an idol? When I say: "No, I won't add another thing to the list." But a friend comes and asks me to do something that sounds really, really fun, I say yes. Hmm…thanks for the great thoughts, Lindsay.
I've been busy too. This weekend was so stressful and full to the brim. I don't like having times like that, when I have no time to reflect and meditate on Him.
I was made for more than taxi-ing my teen around. 🙂 But seriously (although that is true) I did Made to Crave, and it was really good, but I'll be honest–the best study I ever did was A Woman of Moderation by Dee Brestin. Rocked my world. 🙂
Ooo, that sounds like a good one, Jess. I'll definitely have to look into it!
Oh, I'm going to have to echo a few of the others. I am made for more than worrying. I spend so much time worrying and stressing and if I could just succeed in letting it go, giving my burdens to God, I could be so much more of what He wants me to be.
Me too, Cindy. I'm totally there with you!
Graet post, Linds.
I was made for more than worrying, too.
And I was made for more than food. I've recently had a diagnosis that's forcing me to change my diet. Long story short, it seems that my infertility issues are stemming from an issue with insulin resistance, and my chances of developing diabetes are very, very high. So it's a complete diet change around here– lots of carb cutting (and oh, how I love bread. All kinds of bread. And pasta. Sigh.)
But I will not worry. I will not stress. I will not let this turn my eyes from Him. Instead, I'll use it as a wake up call to take what I thought was a pretty healthy lifestyle and make it healthier.
Wow, that's scary, Jenny. And I love bread too!
Know what I love even more? Your attitude. So inspiring!
I was made for more than…stress! I think stress is the number one reason why I exercise so often. I need the outlet.
but life is full of stress so we each have to learn how to handle it in a way that pleases God.
For me? Running up a small mountain helps!
Great post! Thanks for the reminder this morning.
Exercise does wonders for my stress level. It can be hard to fit it into a packed schedule, but it's soooo worth it when we do!
I was made for more than existing for Him – He made me to LIVE for Him in every area…including my health. Lysa's book is amazing and changed my perspective about food and what I use it to replace. Little by little, it's taking hold. Praying for you as you tackle that mountain daily – just like me.
I love the distinction you make between existing and really, truly living. Thank you for your prayers! They mean to world.
I was made for more than trying.
Sometimes I feel like I'm constantly trying…trying to be a good writer, trying to work out, trying to eat right, trying to be a good sister, daughter, friend…whatever.
And I totally forget that there's a Holy Spirit whose whole purpose is to help us…guide us…carry the load for us!!
Awesome post, Linds!!
I'm nodding my head. Bobbing it furiously. We are so similar!
Great post, Lindsay! I was made for more than stress. -knock that devil off my shoulder!
He does like to lurk there, doesn't he? But prayer does wonders for strengthening us so we CAN knock him off!
Girl, you are speaking my language. I read Made to Crave and absolutely loved it. I cried through the book because I felt she was in my head. I have the book study to present to my church as soon as I have time.
I was made for more than being a discouragement paper weight.
Yes, Lisa! Just…yes. I felt that way too, like someone finally expressed what I've felt for years!
I've heard awesome things about this book. And *sigh* I might know a thing or two about Oreo Blizzards (except I add mint to mine). 🙂
Yeah, it seems like a book you'd really like, since you're so health-conscious. 🙂
And I'm not a big fan of mint chocolate anything. Not sure why. But I'm glad you enjoy it!
I was made for more than waiting to be skinny.
I am a curvy, CURVY girl. But I have some severe joint and nerve issues that have literally knocked me off my feet. I also am lazy. And EXTREMELY hypoglycemic, thanks to a parasite from Brazil.
I have a great husband who loves me no matter what. So I never get "yo, babe, yer a cow".
BUT…if I want to have less pain, then I need, NEED to drop 50 pounds.
Notice I said "waiting" to be skinny?
I don't need to wait, I need to walk.
Walk away from what is my crutch: carbs, chocolate, anything baked.
God has laid out for me exactly what I can do to drop the weight and live with less pain.
Last Sunday I gave up and gave Him Jennifer.
I've dropped 4 lbs. Which may not seem like much, but it's a start.
Those are my crutches too, Jennifer! Let's fight them! With God's help, we are stronger than them.
And 4 lbs is AWESOME! Way to go!!
I was made for more than dragging my past around.
And that's all I'm gonna say about that for now.
Amen, Beth. No NEED to say anymore. I already agree whole-heartedly.