Week 1

From Deprivation to Empowerment

    
     During this week, we learned a lot about the way we have viewed dieting in the past. The reasons we have tried and failed so many times before.
     One of the things the hit me in the face was the true meaning of the word indulge. To take unrestrained pleasure in something. Lysa says that we should have a red falg that come up when we hear the word unrestrained and that's so true. Because we are told from the time we are little girls to have self control....this is the first thought that comes to my mind. These things just feel good in the moment. After that moment is gone, so is the feeling. then here comes the guilt.
     Everywhere you turn, you find a how-to book. What I have been missing is my want-to. until this study, I never knew that. I think every woman that struggles with food starts out with this great momentum. We have huge ambition to get healthy, lose tons of weight, exercise, and change our lives. We can buy all of the books in the world, stock our fridge with healthy foods, and buy a gym membership. But if we don't have the spiritual and mental motivation, we won't make any long-term differences.
     During this first session, I have in my mind that this study is all about weight loss. Now that I am getting deeper into it, I don't think that is it at all. Lysa states in her video,"We are made to crave God." Anything that gets in between us and our walk with Him, is an issue, an addiction. I am having to watch how much time I spend on Facebook because I see that is taking time away from my time with God, my home, and my family. Only God can fill this void that I have tried to fill with so many other things over the years and I am so very thankful that I am finally seeing that.
     During this first week, Lysa tells us how in her journey, she uses prayer when she is tempted. I laughed when I read this. Then I tried it. Any time I was tempted, I stopped and prayed. "Lord, I really want to eat that candy bar right now. It would taste so good. I don't want to just settle for a glass of water. But I know that you made food for us to live. You did not create us to live for food. So, I am going to drink this water and walk away and keep on praising you. Thank you Lord." It wasn't easy. And I am not going to tell you that I didn't still think about that candy bar for 10 minutes. But you know what, I didn't eat it. And that felt amazing! That I was a Holy Spirit empowered Jesus girl, and I had resisted temptation because my Savior is sufficient.

Begining My Journey

     Too many years I have struggled with food, my body, and my self-image. As the days go on, I find that too many years I have been without God.
      I first heard about Made To Crave while doing another one of Lysa Terkeurst's Bible studies, Unglued. I was excited that there was a Bible study that also tackled issues with the physical body. I never imagined that I would like this study as much as I do or that this study would go so deep into my issues as it has.
      I want to apologize that I am just now getting to this first blog post. We just finished up Week 3 of our ladies Bible study group (Chapters 4 - 6). I have never thought of writing a blog before. I am subscribed to and read quite a few. I just felt that God was telling me that there were people that could learn from my experience from these issues. I pray that at least one person can get encouragement from me doing this.