I am on the cusp of something magnificent. I am not quite sure exactly what it is yet, but I am convinced that God is leading me on a journey and I am on the edge of huge self discovery. Of course, He is leading me on a journey every day, but I am specifically referring to a journey about having a healthy lifestyle. I have always believed that they key to weight loss success is Eat Less, Move More. I still believe you eat what you want, but not a lot of it. Portion control. It is key to weight loss.
But what do you do if you are somewhat at an ideal weight, maybe need to lose 10-15 pounds, but really are more interested in healthy lifestyle changes. Making better choices. I have made some discoveries lately about myself and my eating. Here is what I have realized, as dumb and simplistic as these may be, they were revelations for me:
1. I love unhealthy food. I love fast food, hamburgers, pizza, pie, cake, cookies, frosting. I am using the word "love" when I am referring to these foods. I don't like salad, fru fru sandwiches, vegetables, fruits, nuts.
Yes, I eat these things but not as a meal. If I have a salad, I like my meat and potatoes to follow shortly. I could go my whole life and never eat another vegetable, salad, fruit or nut. They are not items I am interested in eating voluntarily. Adkins diet is great for me. I tried it once, and lost weight but I can't go my life eating like that. Another diet tried and failed at. I need balance. But I love unhealthy foods.
2. Food is my friend. We have a longstanding relationship. I love food and it loves me. I enjoy it, I socialize with it, I adore it, I entertain it, it makes me feel good, makes me happy, makes me feel full. I like to spend time with food. Daily. All of these are characteristics of a good friend. This morning I determined that food is my friend. Admitting these things is the first step to recovery.
3. I wish I ate to live. But I don't. I live to eat. I wish eating was something I had to do each day. Instead it is something I want to do each day. It is my struggle. My craving.
Enter onto the scene, an online Bible Study. I found it through a friend's facebook post. She wanted to know who was joining in on this study. I thought, not me! However, I felt very led to participate even though I knew nothing about it. The study is through Proverbs 31 Ministries http://proverbs31.org/. I did some research and decided I would buy the book. All the while thinking, "Another book that will collect dust, another attempt at a Bible study that will end in failure to finish." But, I bought the book and signed up for the study. The study is on the book Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst.
Well I can't put it down. The study is excellent, the support is phenomenal, and the material is taking me to the next level beyond Eat Less, Move More. It gets to the underlying meaning of why we crave what we crave. We can crave all sorts of things from shopping, to food, to rescuing animals, to alcohol, drugs, internet, social media or a host of other things. We crave them. Insatiable desire for them. Everyone craves something different. This study talks about how God made us to crave. It gives scripture reference to why we crave things here on earth. The truth is that whatever we crave we need to steadily tear down the tower of craving and use those same bricks to build a pathway to prayer. God wants us to crave him. Instead we crave worldly things like food and shopping.
This Bible study has brought me to some shocking realizations about myself and my cravings. It is teaching me how to overcome my cravings. To crave God rather than food. I am trying to balance. Balance food and healthy choices. Balance God and my cravings. Balance life. I crave a balanced life.
Thanks be to God for compelling me to join this study. It isn't too late to join me. Visit the website at http://proverbs31.org/ and sign up if you want to. I bought the book on my Ibooks on my Ipad. I am sure you can get the book at Lifeway or order it online at the Proverbs 31 site. Maybe it will change your life too. I am on the verge of something big. Not sure yet what it is, but it is big. God is big and He does big things in my life. I am ready, I am willing, I am listening, God.
Let me know what you think! I am excited about this. Please subscribe to my blog by putting your email address in the box at the right. You won't miss a single post. Thanks for reading my post. Please share it with your friends to spread the word and don't forget to hire me for your next event! I can speak on your topic or mine. Visit my website at www.funthoughtsonlife.com
Have a great day and Crave God!
Jennifer
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