The choice is mine. If I want to be a sold out somebody for God, I have to break away from the everybody crowd.
Matthew 7: 13- 14 says: “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.”
This is not easy for a girl who wanted nothing more growing up than to fit in.
Don’t cause waves. Don’t stand out. Don’t stand up. Don’t rock the boat of norm in anyway. Just go with the flow.
But somewhere along my Christian journey, going with the flow started to bother me.
Verses like the one above in Matthew 7 and Romans 12:2 started to mess with my status quo existence. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Conformed or transformed? The choice is mine. If I want to be a sold out somebody for God, I have to break away from the everybody crowd.
When I was writing “Made to Crave”. I started to have doubts and wanted to stop writing the book. I pictured women coming up to the book table at my events, glancing at my book, rolling their eyes and saying “um, no thank you. You can mess with my insecurity, my pride and my anger… but not my food.”
Giggling, they’d bee-line over to the conference refreshment table and mock me by putting 6 doughnuts on their plate.
And oh my heavens the thought of that scene made me sweat.
Suddenly, I was feeling like that girl in middle school standing at her locker who just realized everyone had been invited to Mike’s house for a party- except me. I’d even worn a new Izod to school that day. The pink one with the green alligator. The one I just knew would be the secret to acceptance and popularity. I twisted my toes inside my jelly shoes and willed the earth to open up and swallow me whole.
Now, here I was a grown women imagining the same feelings of rejection and shame. I was going to invest so much time, effort and heart into a project that no one but me and my friend and assistant Holly cared about. (Do you see how twisted up Satan can make us?)
Conformed or transformed? The choice is mine. If I want to be a sold out somebody for God, I have to break away from the everybody crowd.
My new getting healthy plan was all part of breaking away. This was not just a diet. This was not just another quest to get thin. This was a spiritual journey that would yield great physical benefits. It was not easy but it was good.
God made me to consume food, but food was never supposed to consume me. If I wanted to grow closer to God, I would have to distance myself from consuming distractions.
What’s your distraction? What’s the one way you can start to break away from the everybody crowd?
Oh sweet sister, I know this is tough stuff for a Monday morning. It would be so much more fun to chat it up about a sale Target is having or what color toe nail polish will be in for this spring. And while we will discuss the toe nail polish thing soon…. today is reflection day. A locate your soul and ponder day. A good day for honesty.
Conformed or transformed? The choice is ours. If we want to be a sold out somebody for God, we have to break away from the everybody crowd.
Oh sweet Lysa how you have slapped me silly today! The Lord has really been speaking to my heart about who I am…in HIM. It is so easy to live my life conformed to the lies that Satan tells…”you’ll never be good enough” “you’re such a failure” the list goes on and on, yet in being transformed the Lord says, “my grace is sufficient” “you are fearfully and wonderfully made” “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” It is in the transformation that we find our identity in Christ and we become who He always intended us to be. Thank you for preaching the hard stuff on a Monday!
Thank you Lysa! Being sold-out for Christ steps up the enemies attacks for sure; I so relate to all you were saying. I really appreciate your transparency to bring these things to light. It helps the rest of us recognize and rise above the same battles.
May God bless you and all that you do for Him!
Billie
Sold-out! Making the changes….one step at a time!
Dear Lysa, It breaks my heart when I read of your past rejections and fears. Please know what an amazing gift you’ve been given and the power in the words you write . Your words are so real and heartfelt. They are changing lives…including mine. Bless you. Sharon
Hi Lysa
Yesterday our priest was giving the same advice. We can walk with the crowd or dance with God day by day. It brought tears to my eyes because I have the Made to Crave bundle, signed up for the 21 day challenge and making a point to re-watch Made to Crave webcasts, but have not made the commitment to walk with God through my weight issues (and other issues that life hands me). Isn’t it easy to listen to the lies of Satan, but I am learning to listen to our loving Lord. Thank you for your inspiration to not fit in the crowd
Thanks again Lysa. I’m once again saying “yes Jesus”!!! My attitude is chaning as I’m working through Made to Crave. I watched the webcasts, now watching the DVD’s (and participant’s book) and God is speaking to my heart! Change, change, change. I so want to always please Jesus first and formost!
Amen sister Lysa! Thank you for todays words of encouragement. I have been faithfully committed to a new way of eating and transforming my mind about food and its place in my life since Jan. 3, 2011. For the 100th time I am giving it another try! But, you know what? God has given me the tools through Made to Crave, to make transformations in my thought closet that are allowing me to feel like something is different this time around – I so relate to your life story, we have(had) a lot of the same issues from our childhood, the same emptiness. Food is no longer filling that emptiness – God is! Focus on God and the pounds automatically start to fall off!
Thank you for being willing to say and do the tough thing. I need to be reminded that the right way is rarely the easy way.
Looking forward to my son’s 2nd birthday party at our local Chick-Fil-A!!
Any suggestions about what kinds of food to order for the party trays?? We are using the Wiggles as part of our theme, so we WILL be getting a fruit tray (if it doesn’t make any sense, Google “Fruit Salad–The Wiggles”, or plug that into YouTube–you will see a CUTE song and dance about enjoying lots of fruits…)”Fruit Salad. Yummy, yummy…” But, what else??
Blessings!
Carissa in eastern Iowa
Thank you so much for sharing this today. I have been going thru the Made to Crave book for about a month. I will keep my focus for a little while and then something stressful like work, school, my childs surgery & I totall fall off the wagon and go back to my old ways. I am NOT giving up, I can do this with God’s help. I get fustrated with myself for failing, I get fustrated with my body state, therefore I know my spiritual state is not as it should be. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for giving me an extra boost today!
What an inspiration, in person and on this blog. I love your “play on words” and how it gets my attention time after time! Thanks Lysa, again, for all you do! I believe I am in that a transformation stage, and hope to be there for a very long time to come. I never want to stop listening and learning.
I made the choice a few years ago. Sometimes I feel lonely for some friends that think at least similarly to me. That is the greatest challege. But I find solace in God’s word and your word today. I think my time is meant to be focused on my health so that I can focus on my family. God has taught me that too much multi-tasking is detrimental to me health and then that carries over to my family. Thanks for making me think about His reasons. Also, I’m so sorry you experienced rejection as a teen. I faced little rejection, but I also followed the crowd and often set the pace so rejection wasn’t possible. You might have more regrets if you’d gone to the party. It took me until my early twenties to realize that my life wasn’t one to lead by example, and now, although a bot lonely at times, I know it is.
I am a recent convert-as in non-conformist! It has been lonely at times but I have experienced a boldness that i didnt even know was in me. God has been my comforter and has even blesses me with some new like minded friends. We can be ourselves without a fear,wear our thrift store clothes, and know that we will be loved. Its actually been a journey toward freedom- the kind I’ve never known before. The kind that Jesus died to give us!
Lysa,
how did God bring you through being so mad at Him for addressing this issue with you? I have been face to face this very specific mountain for over 3 years. i am tired, i dont understand.
Beautiful message Lysa! Thank you for sharing it. It speaks to my heart.
On a side note…what is an Izod?? It sounds like a jazzed up ipod.
This is a wonderful message and is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you.
We were talking about the same thing at our church. Isn’t the Spirit of God great? I want to be transformed and see others that way too. Total freedom is what Jesus paid for. Why not live it? It’s so sweet.
Crystal
To Robin – my heart goes out to you in your battle against vicious attacks from every direction and inside out. I am praying for victory and peace for you, dear Sister!!
Also, to Adaykis – You are so right and so brave to break off the relationship(s), so as to not be unequally yoked. Satan will fight you on your decision and try to deceive you with guilt feelings. You should keep praying for the person(s) you are distancing yourself from. I am praying for you, as are many others who read your post. Step out in faith, Sister!!!
Lysa, I can relate to your middle school pain. I did not fit in with anyone in middle school and could not wait until the 3:30 bell rang every single day so I could escape the torment. One time a cute popular boy mockingly asked me to “go with him” (meaning go steady) and I was so desperate that I actually went along with him and submitted to his false attention and flattery in front of everyone in the classroom. Glad to know I am not alone, Lysa. God bless you richly for your posts!
I was always one who wanted to fit in, so I can so relate. It’s a good reminder to not let food consume you, something that I continually struggle with. Thanks for the post!
This part of Matthew 7:14 caught my eye…”The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.” It requires my total attention. Total. If I am focused on getting other people’s attention, then I am not giving God MY full attention. Good one for me to think on.
Thanks for sharing, Lysa! I needed to hear this! I remember what it’s like to be the *only one* not being invited somewhere and when I was in school I struggled to fit in too, until I discovered the beauty of standing out.
Even as an adult, it’s good to hear messages like the ones you’ve written so if old insecurities resurface, we can just redirect our attention to God’s Word and trust that He loves us and that a continual renewal of our minds and allowing HIM to transform us into HIS image is the best thing that can ever happen to us– better than fitting in with the latest trend, social group, etc.
Having a hard time at work so much gossip and strife. Do I go to coffee and conform to the gossip or do I choose not to go, and not be part of the “group” and risk being fodder for gossip. It should be easy but its not. I want to belong but I also want to be a Jesus girl (love your term)
Lysa thank you so much for always sharing the BLESSINGS that our Heavenly Father gives you. I just love how He speaks to you and how you are obedient to His calling. Talk about being transformed awesome!!! Beautiful message love love love it
You take me back in time with the izod polos and jelly shoes. Love it!!!!
By the way, our made to crave group met again tonight and it was the most touching sharing we have had together. It was awesome. Thanks for giving us the material!
Hey, I had that same Izod shirt…the pink one with the green alligator
Can I tell you that Made to Crave has been in my cart on Amazon for weeks now, but I’m scared to death to hit the checkout button. I know I need it, and I really want it, but what if I fail? What if I’m one that can’t overcome this weight issue? It is my fears and insecurities that are distraction for me.
Lysa, I own your book and have started reading it but am in such a struggle right now. About 10 years ago, I went through a program called “The Weigh Down Diet” which was, actually, not a diet but a program with a similar message to yours–Love (Crave) God and enjoy food–not the other way around. I really believed the message, that God made all food clean and that we can enjoy it all in moderation, learning to wait on hunger and only eat until satisfied, all the while filling my heart and soul with God. That said, I am feeling very conflicted right now. I’m asking myself: Do I believe God has given me freedom with food? Does God really care what I eat? Will following the principles in Made to Crave strap me to more “food rules?” If I do change how I eat, am I not like every other dieter in America? I don’t want to focus on food like so many other woman in this world!!! Please pardon my bluntness……I know that I love food….I know that there is a war for my heart but I keep going back to food. On top of this, I was diagnosed with a medical condition last summer that, really, is quite serious and requires major life changes. This came on the heels of a long, continuing battle with depression (and weight gain) and just prior to a recent, new mental health diagnosis. I did radically change my diet but find that I keep “cheating” and running to food. I’m struggling with my relationship with the Lord because I have so much going on in my head, heart, and spirit right now. I don’t mean to assume I know your whole message, as I haven’t read the entire book–please forgive me. I’m afraid that I will become one of “those” women with whom, in all honesty, I get really frustrated with because so much of their talk is about food, how many calories, what I ate last night, what you are eating, what I can have, what I can’t have, why aren’t you eating this?, etc., etc., etc. Our culture (the world’s culture, really, LOVES food!) I know women who can eat everything in moderation and are slim (that’s my dream word for myself). Am I just not like that–no chance?? I did lose weight with Weigh Down. Do I just need to see, be reminded of, the fact that God deals with us differently/individually and that, maybe, I need to seek Him more in this battle and ask Him what he wants me to eat and do–no matter what the world is saying/doing. I’m just so afraid. I haven’t been able to “do it” before now….I mean….I haven’t conquered my heart and soul love for food. Even with serious medical issues……I’m struggling. Food has been a constant focus in my life for YEARS while I have been only somewhat managing what I eat….how will that focus change when I am managing my food intake–imposing what seem like rules on myself??? In a nutshell, how will my journey with Made to Crave (from the outside perspective) be any different from the lady next to me whose focus is “good” food and “bad” food? I can see the heart change….I’m just stuck on the food part.
Thanks so much for reading these comments. Again, please know that I’m not trying to attack you and your work….just a seeker.
Martha
Lysa, thank you for this message this morning. I finished your book last week and passed in on to a friend, and have the DVD study ready to start a group, but waiting for God’s timing. I just finished doing another 40 day devotional and shared it on facebook; I had people want to become my friend just to do it. But as the days went on, people were commenting less and less. After the last day, I asked people to give the LORD praises on how He worked on their lives the last 40 days, even if it was a minor step. I was the only one. In a society of fast food, fast entertainment, fast shopping, we WANT and EXPECT fast weight loss, too!! My heart is broken for Christian women who have bought into this LIE. I thank you so much for this encouragement today because I needed it!! : )
Today is a great day to make the stand to change for the good. I have been struggling since I made a bad choice to follow the crowd and I have been paying for almost two weeks. Too much consumption will not only effect you for the moment but for as long as it takes for you body to recover. I looked at the sunrise this morning and thanked God for the beauty around me and decided it was a good day to fight for him and make the change to not give in to temptation!!! It will cost you dearly if you do give in and it is never worth it!!!! Thank you Lysa for you words of encouragement today and let us all go forth and let God win over out temptations so we can grow closer to Him and live better!!! AMEN!!!
Oh Lysa. I am so grateful for your post. I am struggling with obedience to God’s gentle nudgings where food is concerned. As I prepare to lead our second session on Wednesday eve., (having stepped on the scale for the first time in 2 weeks), and saw that the numbers are still not supposed to be my defining fact, I was bombarded with thoughts that I probably won’t even loose a single pound during this study with our group, and I am leading it:>(. Then God spoke to my heart and I heard Him quietly say “I love you, will you obey my nudgings?” Oh, how I want to. My accountability partner must get tired of praying for me, always needing the strength to OBEY. Thank you for your testimony of obedience to God’s leading with this book, Made to Crave. I hope someday I can gain the victory that I know is mine, if only I will obey. Be blessed
I start again today with an awareness that I have over ruled God and His bounderies of hunger and fullenss. I fight not against flesh and blood but agains powers and pricipalties of the air….I am more aware today that how important it is to put on the full armour of God. When satan can’t get us in one area sisters he will in another….and for myself and many of you, I’m sure this is what is going on. Thanks to Lysa so much for her obeidience as an example for us….The work obedience has the word die in it. So we must die to our will and follow the Father’s leadership in this area. I stumble and fall but today I’m getting back up ready to do battle!! Praying for my sisters who are going through this battle too.
aww, to step out in faith can be so hard but so very rewarding! My prayer is to move me out of the way & let God! I have to say this numerous times during the day…. Your messages are a blessing!
“what’s your distraction?”
the fact that i don’t have an instant answer to this means i haven’t been thinking about it enough…
Today, my transformation distraction is that my dear Christian friends are just as prone to tempt me to go off my healthy eating plan and my committment to a disciplined life as my unsaved friends…and my Christian friends are harder to resist. What’s up with that???
I can’t get the tune/words to Francesca Battistelli’s song “This is the stuff” out of my mind.I am constantly singing to myself “this is the stuff…..” So to fit my purposes as I head to a Made to Crave group meet up today, I tweaked the words just a bit. Here they are:
I changed up Francesca Batistelli’s This is the Stuff words to fit our purpose. I can NOT get the tune/chorus to this song out of my head
I weighed myself
on a Wednesday morn
The number climbed,
and my heart was torn.
This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I’m blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You’re doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
Salt in food, weighs me always high
carrots and I, don’t see eye to eye
This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I’m blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You’re doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I’ve got a new appreciation
It’s not the end of the world
Oh Oh Oh
This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff
Someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I’m blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
And I’ve gotta trust You know exactly what You’re doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
Oh Oh Oh Oh
This is the stuff You use
Lysa,
Thank you for Made to Crave, it has really opened my eyes, not only with my weight, but other areas in my life. With God’s help I will lose 40lbs, and get my CPA. I just wanted to say Thank YOU
Lisa
Lysa, I know that I am too late to leave the comment for yesterday to win the chat…but I had to comment anyway.
Here is the tidbit: I went to MOA (Mall of America) today with the purpose of figuring out some MacPro e-mail things at the Apple store. Well–while the wonderful and compentent Apple worker was helping me, she scrolled through my e-mail to pick an “example” to open for font…and she picked yours!!
It gets better.
She was saying blah, blah Apple…and then paused…drew a breath and said, “Oh. That is the book I have been telling my mother we need to read! Wow.”
Isn’t God cool? He used my computer as a platform to speak with her about your ministry and your book and how God can do so, so much. I shared about the web casts and the 21 day challenge. I also shared my struggles.
I met a sister in the faith at the apple store.
Now THAT is some app ! : ^ )
Lysa, your book has been a life-saver for me (really literally—I was ready to buy the farm–) I am 68 and am a very young 68. I want to do things in life to leave a beautiful legacy —-hopefully with God’s help now –that will be at least 32 more years. I finally found out what my eating problem was—–tonight. I had never tried rebuking the devil in such a vivid way. You taught me that. Thanks for all you have done. You seem to be truly sincere. My daughter Lori Cannon Stacey (336-597-2230) is doing a fabulous job of teaching your book at Roxboro Baptist Church here in Roxboro, NC 27573. She, too, has struggled with weight issues because she was “fed” all of my unhealthy genes. However, you will hear from our 14 people hopefully real soon. We will help you in everyway we can. Lori’s cell phone is 336-504-7173 if you would like to call her or text her. She is a beautiful girl who is seeking God’s way to a healthy life. Judy Cannon Brady
Lysa;
I am late in reading this, but I thank you for posting this message. I have been struggling with this issue for several weeks now (be careful what you pray for!). I know that I am called to share the love of God with women so that their lives are transformed, but I struggle with the belief and discipline necessary to move forward, especially when the enemy throws a wrench in the mix to take me off track.
2 Corinthians 6:17 tells us, “therefore, come out from them and be separate.” I know God is in control, but please God, do You know how hard it is when I have taken the step of faith and don’t know where to go next?!
Anyhoo…thank you for your encouragement and humor. It is much needed.
Monica
I just got back from a mission trip where each evening members of the team indulged I ice cream. It was so hard for me. Hard to say no, hard to explain when questioned about why I was not joining in, so very hard! The inner voices telling me I deserved that treat, I had worked hard, and hard for the Lord no less. Oh how my heart sang when this verse confirmed that my hard choices are not decisions made in vain!