The room was full of beautifully dressed, carefully coiffed, soft speaking, Jesus loving women. We were coming together for the bridal shower of a dear sister in Christ. I sat my gift at the front of the room besides the others and noticed with a sigh of relief that it seemed to blend in nicely.
Self-Talk
I then walked around the room carefully greeting each friend while my mind spit out an unceasing stream of mental chatter. “Her dress is cute. I wish I hadn’t worn pants.” Continuing around the room. “She looks great in blue. I look pale in comparison. I better not sit next to her.” Of the next, “Mmmm, has she lost weight? She must have great genetics.” I cross the room, “Wow, she is so thin. Why can’t I be like that?” And on and on…
How Do I Compare?
As women we are so prone to compare ourselves to others. We all like to measure things. It’s only natural. To see how we well we are doing in the game of life we have to be able to gauge our progress. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to use the wrong standard of measure.
My successes or failures, progress or setbacks in this journey can’t be accurately measured by comparing myself with others. Their lives, hormones, circumstances, metabolism and more are entirely different than my own.
The scale is also a flawed standard of measure as I discovered yesterday when its increased number had absolutely no correlation to my week of healthy living.
But how do I know when to celebrate my progress? What will clue me in to the fact that I need to readjust my plan due to negative results?
Measuring My Heart
I can’t help but wish that there were a magic God-O-Meter that I could step on each day to help me get an accurate read on the state of my heart. But there isn’t.
For this reason, I am so thankful for the more appropriate questions at the end of Chapter 8.
- Did I overeat this week on any day?
- Did I move and exercise regularly?
- Do I feel lighter than I did at this time last week?
- Did I eat in secret or out of anger or frustration?
- Did I feel that, at any time, I ran to food instead of to God?
- Before I hopped on the scale, did I think I’d had a successful, God-pleasing week?
I might also add:
- Was my heart tender and responsive to God?
- Did I listen for His voice and obey?
- Did I use my hunger as a reminder to pray?
- Did I love Him more than I loved anything else?
Jump Right In
To increase accountability and encourage others PLEASE take a minute to comment below: introduce yourself, share your successes or struggles, add your food list or simply say ‘hi.’
The journey to change will be more successful if you walk it with others.
What About You?
How can using these questions as your standard of measure help you in your journey to healthier living? What additional questions would you suggest?
Please join our discussion and
leave a comment here.
Made to Crave ~ Index to Previous Posts
I think the questions at the end of this chapter are really quite useful and cause me to think more about my relationship with God than whether I was “good” or not. Must say that I am struggling for the rules I should be following. If I had very specific rules then I would know for certain but I think God is telling me “You know what healthy eating is, you know what emotional eating is. You know what relationship with me is…that’s all the rule you need.”
I feel like the people in the Old Testament who want more rules to know EXACTLY whether they are good enough or not.
Or, and this is my last thought for right now — am I avoiding more “rules” to avoid having to surrender/submit?
That’s what I’ll be praying about this morning.
I’m right here with you on this part of the process, Lucinda. I have tried making these sort of flexible guidelines so I won’t be too rigid (have problems with this in the past) but now I’m not sure what I’m doing, whether it’s “good enough” or if I should have more structure. Something I’ll need to pray more about as well.
Hi Lucinda,
I understand the lure of rules. They make things so black and white, so uncomplicated, and also so easy for me to rely on the rules and not on God.
But rules have their place as well. I know keeping track of my WW Points is easing my mind so I’m not constantly wondering if I’ve been “good” or not.
I’ll be praying with you that God will show you just the right path for this season in your life.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. You are a blessing.
Kim, I love what you shared in the Might I add..this is good. Way to go at sharing yourself and having a dialog with things that make such a difference.
I loved your additional thoughts/questions too, Kim. This week has been more of an eye opener as my spiritual journey grows, my true feelings about myself and how i view myself honestly concerning my self worth. I am thoroughly enjoying the thought provoking questions! Praying for all my Made to Crave friends …
Hi Regina,
I am so thankful to hear that you are growing closer to the Lord through this journey. Nothing is more important than that.
And thanks for the prayers!!