Last year I finished a book and did a review of it. I love to read and planned on doing many more of those. Well, between work, ministry, school, life, etc I would start books and never finish them resulting in no more book reviews.
This year is different, though. God has called me to a new adventure and a new season. This season has a lot of changes and one of them being, “Be Still”, which is very difficult for me. I want to be intentional with my time and my rest, not just mindlessly scrolling social media or pinterest but reading or spending time with people I love.
I also want to use this time to work on self discipline, self control, and really focus on mending this temple that the Lord has given me. That’s where this book comes in. I’ve had this book for quite some time I’ve just never sat down to read it. This week was different. I started this book on a Saturday and by the following Tuesday it was finished. It was exactly what I needed at this time and was so well written.
I’ve read several of Lysa’s books and I love the way she is so open and honest about her life and struggles. The way she writes makes you feel like you’re just having a conversation with her in her living room.
I want to share some quotes, thoughts, and personal reflections that she shares in this book. I also want to encourage you to purchase the book and read it. Whether you struggle with weight or not, this is a wonderful read.
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst
“Eve craved what she focused on. We consume what we think about and what we think about can consume us if we’re not careful.”
Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave
“The more saturated we are with truth, the more powerful we’ll be in resisting our temptations. And the more we’ll naturally direct our cravings where they should be directed – to the Author of all truth.”
Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave
“What we’re craving will always depend on whatever we’re consuming… the object of our desire or God and His Truth.”
Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave
“Each time I craved something I knew wasn’t part of my plan, I used that craving as a prompt to pray. I craved a lot. So, I found myself praying a lot.”
Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave
When we are tempted, whether it’s with unhealthy food or sin, we should take the opportunity to pray and praise. Praise leads to breakthrough.
“We must be aware that desperation leads to degradation. In other words, when what is lacking in life goes from being an annoyance to an anxiety we run the risk of compromising in ways we never thought we would.”
Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave
This book has been an interesting mirror of eating unhealthy foods and battling self control and giving into temptation and sin cycles and battling self control.
“If we find certain foods impossible to walk away from, this is a clue that we are being ruled by food on some level. Are there foods you can’t or won’t deny yourself in order to make a healthier choice? Why are these foods especially important to you? What thoughts and feelings arise when you think about potentially giving them up?”
Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave
That can turn into quite a loaded question. I also want to apply it to other areas of our lives. Food I can’t give up or deny, people, relationships, habits, actions, places, choices, sins, patterns, etc. When I first read this portion of the book, certain foods came to mind that I have a hard time (or just don’t) say no to. But then I started thinking of temptation situations that are difficult to walk away from. Then I started thinking of situations and things I’ve said yes to or “can’t say no to” that aren’t necessarily “bad” but what is the motive behind it? Am I just replacing one thing with the other? I can’t say no to this food so I’ll say yes to being distracted by someone else. What about seeking the Lord? What about spending time with Him instead? Whenever we are just going from one distraction to the other it has the same outcome. Unfulfillment. Until we realize and really grasp that we are known fully, loved wholly and completely by Jesus despite all we have done, do, and will do, we won’t be happy in these different things. That whole carton of ice cream, whole bag of chips, container of cookies, will be gone – then what? Those friends are relationships are wonderful and may even be life giving in the moment, but what after? What about my mind and thoughts?
Self control, self discipline, seeking the Lord – food, sin, life… It’s all related and all connected. Like I said before, I highly recommend this book. At the end of each chapter she gives “Personal Reflection” topics. If you’ve read my blog for any amount of time you know I love to journal. This was a welcomed journal prompt!
If you’re interested you can click HERE for a link to her website for this book. If you’ve read it, purchased it, plan to purchase it, have questions or comments, let me know below! I’d love to talk about it!