Giving God Control

After a week of staying on track, I've lost four pounds. I'm feeling pretty good about it and having a successful week is making it easier to keep going and stay focused.

I feel like a big part of the challenge for me is mental. When I can get my head in the right place it seems like I do better at keeping my eating under control. I won't lie to you, yesterday was hard. I just had an off day where my mood was down and I wanted to eat my emotions.

The good news is, I was able to keep it together. I read my devotional (Made to Crave) and I was able to resist the urge to eat everything in the house. I'm proud of myself and knowing that I was successful is encouraging me to keep going in the right direction.

I cannot stress enough that keeping my mind on God is key. Relying on Him to give me the strength I needed to keep me on track was the only way I was able to get through yesterday. And I know that if I allow Him to He will get me through each day moving forward.

If I allow myself to think too far ahead I just get overwhelmed by how far I have to go. It is important that I only think about the present moment and take one day at a time.

I can find strength in this scripture:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear...He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

There really is always a way out of temptation. If we are willing to allow God to have control in these situations He will always provide an escape. You just have to trust in Him.

I encourage you to give God a chance to be in control of your journey. Take one day at a time. Get into His word and find scriptures that encourage you. Write them down and keep them in a place where you will see them often. I recommend the refrigerator door or your bathroom mirror. Don't give up, we can do this!

Till next time, God bless! :)

Getting Back Up

Yesterday I got back up...again. I guess the best thing I can say about myself is that I never stop getting back up. That's the important thing, not how many times I fall down, but the fact that I keep getting up.

I ate just at 1200 calories yesterday, I consider that a perfect day. The problem then was I had to stop eating. Night time is especially hard. I don't sleep much, so late nights are a regular thing for me. It's then while I'm sitting up watching TV, waiting for the sandman to visit, that I get overwhelmed by snacking urges.

Last night was no different from any other night. I heard the call of the snacks. The difference last night was that I felt like I had some of my determination back. I have to give some credit to a book I'm reading along with a devotional by the same name, "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst. It's all about craving God instead of food. I highly recommend it.

If I can get my mind off of food and onto God I feel more in control and growing closer to God is an excellent bonus. I can use my cravings as a prompt to pray or to read my Bible. So the credit really goes to God.

The goal now is to keep my mind on God and off of food. I just have to remember to give my control over to Him. He's a better driver than me.

My cousin told me about this song yesterday called "Broken Ladders" by Selah. After I listened to it I had tears in my eyes. It reminded me that I don't have to have control of everything in my life. It can be scary giving up control, but it's very freeing to let go, especially when you're giving the wheel to God.

I encourage you to put your mind on God. Let him help you with your cravings. God can fill you like no food can and there's no regret or guilt.

I'm going to leave you with a few verses that I hope will help to encourage you.

• Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
• You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work. (James 1:3-4A)
• I pray that you...grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ...that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19 partial)
• Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
• Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8)
• Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Till next time, God bless! :)