Made to Crave: 21 Day ChallengeSample

Day 3: Excuse Me, Pass the Shame … Please 

More than once, I’ve held the latest, greatest, diet book in one hand with my other hand wedged into the back pocket of my ever-tightening jeans. But the thought of taking the plunge and signing up for another diet made me want to sit down and cry. 

I’d return the book to the shelf, toss my head back, and sigh, “Another day, another time. I’m doing the best I can right now.” It is so tempting to quit the health struggle entirely and pretend it doesn’t really matter spiritually. But it does matter and not just for the physical or emotional setbacks. It’s the denial of a fundamental spiritual truth. 

What is this truth? Your parents might have said it to you when you got sassy and disrespectful . . .
“More is expected of you. You aren’t a brat, so don’t act like one.” 

Your teacher might have said it to you when turned in a halfhearted term paper . . .
“You have more potential as a student than what you’ve shown here.” Your friends have definitely said it when your loser boyfriend dumped you . . .
 "He didn’t deserve you. You’re worthy of a better love than he could offer.” 

Today, your heavenly Father is telling you the same truth: “You were made for more!” More than this failure . . . more than this cycle of defeat . . . more than being ruled by taste buds, body image, rationalizations, guilt, and shame. You were made for victory. 

Ephesians 1:18 – 19 says: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which [God] has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” 

This truth is a great script to play in our heads every time we’re tempted with guilt, rationalizations, or the “I’ll-do-better-tomorrow” escape clauses. Do any of these sound familiar? 

“I’m good in every other area.” “I’ll do better tomorrow.” “For heaven’s sake, everyone has issues. So what if food is mine?” 

Addressing our thinking is one of the most crucial steps toward permanent progress in any area and stopping the cycle of shame and defeat. We have to rewrite those negative scripts by getting into the habit of saying truth. And, the first of these truths is, “I was made for more.” Wrapped in this truth is a wisdom and revelation that unlocks great power. 

We need a power beyond our frail attempts and fragile resolve. 

We need strength greater than our taste buds, hormones, temptations, and our inborn female demand for chocolate. Yes, the truth of who we are and the power to live out that truth — that’s what we need. So, say it out loud with me today: I was made for more!