"Replacing My Cravings"

Replace my cravings?  How in the world is that even possible?  These are some of the thoughts that went through my mind as I started the chapter.  I don't know about anyone else, but the story Lysa shared about starting a diet just in time for her daughter to make cinnamon rolls cracked me up!  I laughed out loud.  This kind of thing seems to happen to me all the time!  So just as she mentioned, I proceed to eat whatever is placed in front of me and vow to "start over" tomorrow.  And while I'm at it, since this is my last day I better eat all the stuff that I will later deny myself!

On page 28, Lysa talks about the painful question of are we relying on food more than we do God?  At first, I thought "there's now way".  However, then I started to reconsider the question.  Q:What do I do when I get bored?   (A: snack)  Q: Where do I wander to when I'm alone in the house and worried about my kids? (A: the cupboard)  Q: How do we celebrate? (A: Ice cream!)   Wow.  Maybe I do put eating too high on my priority  list.  When I consider this, I realized like Lysa that "God was challenging me to surrender (it) to His control." (pg 28).

I have taken Lysa's suggestions of praying every time I feel those unhealthy cravings coming to the surface.    I'm not sure why I was surprised, but it works!  Of course, prayer works!!  What a wonderful feeling!  My God cares enough about me to give me strength through my moments of weakness.  I prayed over grabbing peppermint patties at work, joining my family for a treat at Maggie Moos, Jake and I talking about getting blizzards, and the list goes on!  

Some encouraging words for me that I thought I would share...
Hebrews 2: 18 "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."

Mark 11:14 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Philippians 4:6 -7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."