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.

Sometimes...

in my last post i talked about standing strong. can i just say that sometimes it is HARD to Stand Strong?

Things happen. Life goes on. Things are said. And yet, we are to Stand Strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. How are we to react/respond when tempted to give-up? We are to press on. Let His joy be our strength, as in the book of Nehemiah "The joy of the Lord is your strength".  What about when we fall, and we haven't stood strong? We can confess our sins, and He who has called us is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins.  What aobut when we are faced with slanderers/deceivers? There is anger that rises up within us when slander happens. And yet, we are to forebear. Confront if we can with love and boldness, but if we can't...forebear, knowing that Christ is the Defender of our Soul. He is the Just Judge.

For me, i know that i need to be walking in the fruit of the Spirit..love, joy, PEACE, patience, gentleness, goodness, self-control, in the power of HIS might. It is in my weakness that His strength is perfected.

Self Control. Standing Strong, by NOT giving in to what we would REALLY like to do, or say. Standing Strong by confessing when we have fallen, and receiving the forgiveness that was already purchased for us at the cross. Standing Strong when words are said against us that are untrue.

OIY. Lord, right now i need Your strength to make me be able to Stand Strong. You alone are my Refuge. My Defender. My Shield. Blessed be Your awesome name.
~Amen.

Hopefully this made some sense... :)