Lysa TerKeurst
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Have you ever caught yourself compromising your healthy eating plan with the little "I'll start again on Monday" escape clause? Me too.
That cheesecake does look good. The Mexican chips and dip are irresistible. It is a special night. I can start again on Monday.
It is so tempting to give in. Set things in reverse. Pretend it won't matter. But it does matter and not just for the physical or mental set back. It's the denial of a fundamental spiritual truth that will make our healthy eating plan fall apart time and time again. What is this truth? We were made for more than this. More than this failure, more than this cycle, more than being ruled by taste buds - we were made for victory. Sometimes we just have to find our way to that truth.
When I was a senior in high school I was invited to a college party. By the end of the night my friends and I were giggling over the attention of two good looking college boys. As the party died down, they invited us over to their place.
Part of me was so flattered, I wanted to go. A much bigger part of me didn't. But plans got made and before I knew it we were getting into their car and driving away. I was not a strong Christian at this point in my life. And I certainly can't say I'd ever heard God speak to me, but in the midst of this situation, I did.
"This isn't you, Lysa. You were made for more than this."
Truth. A gift of truth. Planted deep within me when God personally knit me together. Untied and presented at just the right time.
I wound up making an excuse for a quick exit and walking back to my car alone that night. I mentally beat myself up for acting like a young, immature high schooler who couldn't handle being a college party girl. But looking back, I want to stand up on a chair and clap, clap, clap for my little high schooler self!
There were other seasons of my growing up years where I heard this truth loud and clear repeated within the confines of my soul and sadly, I refused to listen. These were the darkest years of my life. I wasn't made to live a life that dishonors the Lord.
None of us are.
"You were made for more Lysa - you were made for more." I remembered it especially in those early weeks of my new healthy eating adventure when I was tempted by one million assaults on my sugar-deprived taste buds. I just kept mentally repeating ... made for more. Made for more!
And though my quest pales in comparison to the importance of a high schooler trying to keep her purity - hunger is hunger. Temptation is temptation. Desire is desire. So, maybe they aren't so different after all.
We were made for more.
What a great truth to use while rewriting the "go to" script that plays in our head every time we're tempted. Rewriting the go-to scripts is one of the most crucial steps toward permanent progress. Remember the script that I mentioned earlier in this article? The excuses? The rationalizations? The "I'll do better Monday" escape clause?"
We have to rewrite those by getting into the habit of saying other things. And the first of these is, "I was made for more."
Listen to these words from Proverbs 3:5-8, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
Trust in the Lord - you were made for more. In all your ways acknowledge Him - you were made for more. Don't try to be wise and do your new diet in your own strength, hold tight to the Lord and flee from temptations - you were made for more. This will bring health and nourishment to you and help you find victory in this struggle - you were made for more!
Dear Lord, I was made for more than getting stuck in a vicious cycle of defeat. I trust You and want to acknowledge You in ALL my ways. Help me to remember I was made for more with each choice I make. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa’s blog today for a list of other “Go To Scripts” perfect for those trying to get healthy!
If this devotion resonated with you, click here to pre-order Lysa’s upcoming book “Made to Crave… satisfying life’s deepest desire with God not food.” This will be a perfect book to use individually or in your January Bible study group. Preorder your copy at a 31% discount this week only and it will ship to you in December.
The “Made to Crave” DVD and Bible study workbook will be released January 10.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa is also a great resource to use for group Bible Studies and it’s available now on sale!
Application Steps:
If food is an issue for you, visit www.LysaTerKeurst.com for more "Go To Scripts" that will help you overcome tempting situations.
If food is not an issue for you, how does today's devotion apply to your area of struggle?
Reflections:
Who are some friends that can walk with me through this journey of learning to make healthier choices?
Power Verse:
Psalm 78:18, "They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Have you ever caught yourself compromising your healthy eating plan with the little "I'll start again on Monday" escape clause? Me too.
That cheesecake does look good. The Mexican chips and dip are irresistible. It is a special night. I can start again on Monday.
It is so tempting to give in. Set things in reverse. Pretend it won't matter. But it does matter and not just for the physical or mental set back. It's the denial of a fundamental spiritual truth that will make our healthy eating plan fall apart time and time again. What is this truth? We were made for more than this. More than this failure, more than this cycle, more than being ruled by taste buds - we were made for victory. Sometimes we just have to find our way to that truth.
When I was a senior in high school I was invited to a college party. By the end of the night my friends and I were giggling over the attention of two good looking college boys. As the party died down, they invited us over to their place.
Part of me was so flattered, I wanted to go. A much bigger part of me didn't. But plans got made and before I knew it we were getting into their car and driving away. I was not a strong Christian at this point in my life. And I certainly can't say I'd ever heard God speak to me, but in the midst of this situation, I did.
"This isn't you, Lysa. You were made for more than this."
Truth. A gift of truth. Planted deep within me when God personally knit me together. Untied and presented at just the right time.
I wound up making an excuse for a quick exit and walking back to my car alone that night. I mentally beat myself up for acting like a young, immature high schooler who couldn't handle being a college party girl. But looking back, I want to stand up on a chair and clap, clap, clap for my little high schooler self!
There were other seasons of my growing up years where I heard this truth loud and clear repeated within the confines of my soul and sadly, I refused to listen. These were the darkest years of my life. I wasn't made to live a life that dishonors the Lord.
None of us are.
"You were made for more Lysa - you were made for more." I remembered it especially in those early weeks of my new healthy eating adventure when I was tempted by one million assaults on my sugar-deprived taste buds. I just kept mentally repeating ... made for more. Made for more!
And though my quest pales in comparison to the importance of a high schooler trying to keep her purity - hunger is hunger. Temptation is temptation. Desire is desire. So, maybe they aren't so different after all.
We were made for more.
What a great truth to use while rewriting the "go to" script that plays in our head every time we're tempted. Rewriting the go-to scripts is one of the most crucial steps toward permanent progress. Remember the script that I mentioned earlier in this article? The excuses? The rationalizations? The "I'll do better Monday" escape clause?"
We have to rewrite those by getting into the habit of saying other things. And the first of these is, "I was made for more."
Listen to these words from Proverbs 3:5-8, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
Trust in the Lord - you were made for more. In all your ways acknowledge Him - you were made for more. Don't try to be wise and do your new diet in your own strength, hold tight to the Lord and flee from temptations - you were made for more. This will bring health and nourishment to you and help you find victory in this struggle - you were made for more!
Dear Lord, I was made for more than getting stuck in a vicious cycle of defeat. I trust You and want to acknowledge You in ALL my ways. Help me to remember I was made for more with each choice I make. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa’s blog today for a list of other “Go To Scripts” perfect for those trying to get healthy!
If this devotion resonated with you, click here to pre-order Lysa’s upcoming book “Made to Crave… satisfying life’s deepest desire with God not food.” This will be a perfect book to use individually or in your January Bible study group. Preorder your copy at a 31% discount this week only and it will ship to you in December.
The “Made to Crave” DVD and Bible study workbook will be released January 10.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa is also a great resource to use for group Bible Studies and it’s available now on sale!
Application Steps:
If food is an issue for you, visit www.LysaTerKeurst.com for more "Go To Scripts" that will help you overcome tempting situations.
If food is not an issue for you, how does today's devotion apply to your area of struggle?
Reflections:
Who are some friends that can walk with me through this journey of learning to make healthier choices?
Power Verse:
Psalm 78:18, "They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Labels: Confidence, God's Perspective, Identity in Christ, Perseverance, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Warfare, Walking in Faith
11 Comments:
Oh - THANK YOU for this today!!
This will apply to me in many ways-for one of my "temptations" is to always talk & interrupt & add my "2 bits" when i need to listen. I was made to be a listener! I was made for more will become my new mantra/prayer. thank u! GOD BLESS!
What an insight into my past! As a teenager, well before I knew the Lord, I "played sick" out of so many uncomfortable situations. I never, never, made the connection of the Lord's protection of my purity during all of those times until now. It just deepens the realization that He desires to protect us, and guide us down the right path. He truly has made us for more. He is always present, leading us away from temptation. I pray for ears to hear His voice loud and clear, and the same for my little girls as they grow. Thank you for this devotion!!-Susan
Uh, oh...the Lord is reminding me to get back on track with my eating...with a toddler and a full time job, I have been making TOO MANY excuses for why I can't make better choices when I eat. I eat more than I need, and I still eat more junk food than I should. I try to make myself feel okay about the bad choices because I do eat veggies and fruits every day, and check to be sure I eat plenty of fiber. That is all okay, but it doesn't make up for the extra chocolate or extra cookies, etc.
God has made me for more...
Thank you for letting the Lord use you to speak to me. I know I sure needed this! I am going to order the book, too, I think. Many blessings!
Lysa,
How timely your post was for me today. I have been trying to eat healthy since last April. I have been stuck at th 30lb mark for several weeks. All because of excuses. Just this morning, before I read your devotion, I fixed me a healthy breakfast,then I spotted some biscott's sitting on the counter- picked one up, walked away with it, then went and put it back. I listened to that whipser in my ear,this time. Thanks for the reminder-that I was made for more.
For the first time in my life, I am not wanting it to be about a number on the scales. I want to eat and be healthy. My temple belongs to Him.
This truly resonated with me today. I have started a blog on Monday 10/18 because the Lord spoke to me this past Sunday -- 'We are going to do this together, we are going through the wall of your weight-loss struggle' - Now, I will have to repeat to myself when things get tough. 'I was made for more' - Thanks Lysa!!!
"You were made for more" is posted on my mirror, so that I read it every morning! Thank you for this message.
I needed this encouragement and exhortation for my second wind. Having lost 56 pounds in the last seven months (with 46 more to go), I was feeling a bit complacent and noticing that I was not being as careful as I should. I'd forgotten my "first love" (God) in favor of the false god (food) which I'd always used to comfort during a particularly stressful times (like now!). Thanks for reminding me not to think in reverse but to "press on" (Phil. 3:14) To God be the glory.
Gwen
This was great and something I struggle with, especially, with food. On a more serious note, I can look back and see the times when I refused to listen. Thank you for this.
Lysa,
I gasped when I read what the Lord spoke to you. Long ago, He spoke those very words to me.
As I was once again sitting in my local bar, drinking my third or fourth beer and staring at the TV, I heard those words. Tears started to fall down my cheeks. I got up and said I needed to leave right away. I cried myself to sleep that night. But, after twenty-five years, I finally had my last drink.
And now I've been sober twenty years.
I was made for more............thank you for his simply stated reminder of God`s plans for our lives being so much more than we accomplish on our own. During this crisis I am facing in my family this advice is so timely.
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