M2C Monday

AHHH! I am back with a Made to Crave Monday!

This is something i have not done for too long. This won't necessarily be about something specific from the book, as my copy is loaned out right now, but i do want to share about the lifestyle changes i have made, which were inspired by M2C.

I like to shop. We don't have extra money. THIS can be a PROBLEM. Especially when i have an Old Navy card (keep it for stuff 'n save deals, etc.). As i went through M2C again, i realized that i had to stop going to Old Navy. It has now been months since i darkened their door <sigh>.

no clearance racks.
no newest styles.
no crazy-colored shoes.
no kids clothes.

It is a place that i can go in and think i am just gonna get __________, and walk out with half the clearance rack! :-/

Made to Crave is not just about food. It is about ANYTHING that we turn to, instead of God, to fulfill our craving. Is shopping bad, in and of itself? no. Is food bad, in and of itself? no. When it becomes bad, or sinful, is when we forsake God and think a shopping bag or the pleasure of food is more important.

Real life example:
I have a bad day. I am emotional over something, and instead of turning to God FIRST, i go to Old Navy, because i think that THAT will put me in a better mood. What did i really need? I needed to go to God FIRST, and pray and spend time with Him. I need to get HIS perspective on the situation. When i do this, i find myself comforted far more than a shopping trip can comfort me... and without the GUILT, shame, condemnation! 

With FOOD, sometimes we just eat because we really love the food. We enjoy the simple act of sitting and savoring a snack. For me, even if it is a healthy snack, and i am NOT hungry, i am putting food above God. There are times that i "budget" food. Like dinner. If i have a glass of wine with dinner (yes, i do enjoy a glass), i will usually choose to NOT have dessert, due to the high sugar levels in wine. I will eat a small breakfast, usually not even feeling satisfied, if i know that i am going somewhere that brunch is being served... THEN, i only eat until i am satisfied..... NOT FULL.

 One area that is particularly tough for me is church get-together's. They almost always involve food of some sort (or sorts) and it all looks so good! Those are moments that i really have to walk in self-control.

That is what it seems to boil down to in many ways, isn't it? Self-Control.

Let us focus this week on turning to God to meet our needs, instead of food or shopping or_________.
Let us have HIS strength be our strength this week.