Made to Crave Online Study ~ Introduction

Hi y'all! I am so delighted that so many of you are joining Stephanie, Crystal  & I on this adventure of reading through the "Made to Crave" book. {If you haven't already purchased the book but would still like to - please feel free to join us at any point - even if it is just for a week or two. Also if you have a Kindle, Crystal has shared with us that the Kindle Edition is on sale for only $2.99 this week!}

This week we are discussing the introduction which if I am honest I am not the best "introduction reader". Often times I find myself reading through an entire book and then going back to really read through the introduction. {Yes, I know. As a person aspiring to be a published author I should know better.}Discussing this book though forced me to read the introduction and to be challenged in several areas. While I don't have a "cycle" to break with food, I do find myself in a cycle that is not victorious with other things- specifically my worry thought patterns. Lysa in her introduction states that we are meant to live in victory and with worry that is not how I always live. A quote that I found to be very challenging and that stuck with me was from page 18 where she states: "I am made to rise up, do battle with my issues, and, using the Lord's strength in me, defeat them- spiritually, physically, and mentally to the Glory of God." What I love about this quote is that she is not saying that we do this in our own strength alone but through the Lord's strength. Being sick and weak right now I LOVE that reminder. 

Another thing that really stood out to me in the introduction chapter was how Lysa shared there are several people in the Bible that were "brought down" by food. This to me was almost unbelievable because I thought- food- really? But then I think about Eve and then I also think about Esau (Hebrews 12) and it is not laughable. And neither is my propensity to not deal with my issues that are bringing me down and have me in a cycle (aka. worry, etc.) And also this introduction really made me think: what do I crave? What does my mind crave? What does my heart crave? What does my soul crave?

SO honestly- I am so thankful that I did not skip the introduction this week because these are just a few of the thoughts that are in my mind to pray through in the next few days! What about y'all? If you are a blogger please feel free to link with us below and share your thoughts and if you don't have a blog please leave a comment in the comment section. I am so confident that we can all grow and learn together in this process! 

Here is the reading schedule for those of you that would like to join us for the whole study or for part of it:

July 8-

Introduction

July 15-

Chapter 1-What’s Really Going on Here? & Chapter 2- Replacing my Cravings

July 22- Week 3-

Chapter 3- Getting a Plan & Chapter 4- Friends Don’t Let Friends Eat before Thinking

July 29- Week 4

Chapter 5- Made for More & Chapter 6- Growing Closer to God

August 5- Week 5

Chapter 7- I’m Not Defined by the Numbers & Chapter 8- Making Peace with the Realities of my Body

August 12- Week 6

Chapter 9- But Exercise Makes Me Want to Cry& Chapter 10- This Isn’t Fair!

August 19- Week 7

Chapter 11- Stinkin’, Rotten, Horrible, No Good Day & Chapter 12- The Curse of the Skinny Jeans

August 26- Week 8

Chapter 13- Overindulgence & Chapter 14- Emotional Emptiness

September 2- Week 9

Chapter 15- The Demon in the Chips Poster & Chapter 16- Why Diets Don’t Work

September 9- Week 10

Chapter 17- The Very Next Choice We Make& Chapter 18- Things Lost, Better Things Gained

September 16- Week 11

Chapter 19- Live as an Overcomer & Summary/Conclusion

Also, Crystal has found some lovely resources that I can't wait to check out!

21 Day Challenge (a new challenge emailed to you each day)

Healthy Eating Go-To Scripts (Printable verses to help you on your journey)

Freebies (lots more freebies on the Made to Crave website)

Beat the Craving (a post I wrote last year with my own tips for beating cravings)

My Get Healthy Pinterest Board (lots of great inspiration here)

My Fitness Pal (track your calories online. There is also an app)