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Posted on September 17, 2024
It’s no secret that I’ve dealt a lot with food, I’ve shared a lot about my food/weight struggles. Food has been a comfort to me in times of bad, and good. It has been something that I use knowing that I have full control on what I eat and how much I eat. Unfortunately, food is something that brings me great peace, and happiness.
Obviously food is not bad, and loving food isn’t bad. God gave us food because He knew we needed it to survive.
“Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” –Genesis 9:3
Looking at this verse we see that God told Noah and his sons that all the animals would fear them, and that every living thing will be available for them to eat. So looking at this verse, we know that God intended for us to be able to eat, because He knows that we need it to survive. The Lord knew we needed food even after he created Adam and Eve.
“Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food’.” –Genesis 1:29
From the beginning of creation, God knew that we needed food. Once Adam and Eve sinned, it became more important that we have food. Having a feeling of craving for food isn’t what’s normal.
We aren’t designed to crave food. We’re designed to crave the Lord. In my opinion, Lysa TerKeurst says it best:
“God made us capable of craving so we’d have an unquenchable desire for more of Him, and Him alone. Nothing changes until we make the choice to redirect our misguided cravings to the only one capable of satisfying them.” –Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave
Our desires, our cravings, should be in the Lord and not food. While food gives us the temporary good feelings, the peace and strength that we can get from the Lord is far better! We were created to desire Him, and to want Him and Him alone.
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him, God the Father has placed His seal of approval” –John 6:27
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty'” –John 6:35
We need to crave the Lord the way we crave food. He is the only way we’re going to find that fulfillment, and acceptance. Yes, food is incredible, and definitely fills a temporary void. But that’s just it, it’s temporary. If you’re like me, when you feel bad about something you’re going to turn to food and binge eat. Then after you’re done, you’re feeling disgusting, and awful, about what you just did. Imagine if I took that desire to eat, and turned it into prayer!
“Each time I craved something I knew wasn’t part of my plan, I used that craving as a prompt to pray. I craved a lot. So, I found myself praying a lot.” –Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave
Can you imagine the difference that this mindset can do in our lives? To turn our focus from food, to the Lord. To take time to pray to Him whenever we’re feeling the desire to fix our problems with food, we take a temporary fix and do a permanent fix. Of course this isn’t something that can be done overnight, or even in a few months. Like anything, it’s going to take time to retrain our minds to make turning to the Lord the priority over food. But if we truly make it a habit, and work on it continually, it’s going to be something that happens without us even thinking of it! I know I still struggle doing this, but it’s something that I feel myself trying to do more of. I want the Lord to be the only thing to help me, to be the only thing I need to feel fulfilled. However, I know that we live in a fallen world where Satan is going to take any of our weaknesses and use them against us. So my friends, if this is something that you feel like you’re struggling with, I want you to know that you’re not alone, and I am praying for you! I would like to leave you with a question that Lysa TerKeurst asks in her book:
“Is it possible we love and rely on food more than we love and rely on God?” –Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave
Is it possible? Until next time, friends!
Posted on January 25, 2023
Dealing with the big “D”. Originally, I had plans to write about something else, something that didn’t have to do with depression. But I’m going to be honest with you all, it’s something that I’ve been struggling with for quite a while. My goal in this blog has been to be real and open with you all, and show that you’re not alone with things! One of the biggest things that I find some people feel alone in is mental health. So here I am, discussing with you something that isn’t discussed enough.
There’s this word that starts with “D” that I know many people don’t like admitting to having, or people act like they’re going to catch it if you say you struggle with it, and even some people think that struggling with it makes you less of a Christian. What’s this word?
Depression.
I’ve struggled with depression for quite a few years now. It’s difficult to deal with, but it’s also something that we need to fight to not allow it to control our lives. While depression can cause a lot of damage to ourselves, and the people in our lives, I believe there is beauty in the struggle with it, and fighting through it!
Obviously, we know that depression affects us, the people who are dealing with it. It makes it hard for us to do anything else throughout the day, and we feel like we’re drowning. For me, I feel like I can’t get anything done, and I do not know how to get a grasp on my emotions and the way I’m feeling. I feel like I’m completely lost, and nothing that I’m feeling makes any sense. There will be times I try to talk myself out of my depression, and even feeling guilty for struggling with this because I seem to let my family slip. Not only do I feel bad, but I’m easily angered and irritable, which makes me feel awful when I get upset with my kids or my husband. Dealing with depression can be different for everyone, but no matter how it’s effecting you, it’s effecting you. One effect isn’t worse than the other, they’re all bad and a struggle to overcome! Don’t let anyone make you feel differently, or like your depression isn’t as bad as theirs.
Our depression can really affect our family. Whether or not we like it, our family knows us so well and can instantly tell when we’re not ourselves. If you’re like me, then you get irritable and angry very easily. There are times when I’m getting angry and yelling, and then I hear myself and I’m screaming at myself to stop because they don’t deserve it. But sometimes it’s hard for us. Depression can feel like we’re fighting ourselves at every turn, so when we’re getting mad at our family, we can tell ourselves to stop, but sometimes that doesn’t work.
My husband is absolutely amazing when I’m struggling with my depression. He’ll sit and hold me as I cry, he’ll pray with me when I ask him to, or he’ll just sit in the quietness with me. He’ll listen to me and never pass judgment. Although he’s amazing, and he’ll help me through it, I know that it’s still a struggle for him. I know he misses his wife, and who I am when I’m not struggling with the depression, but I also know that he understands that I miss myself as well, and I’m trying hard to get her back. Whether or not your spouse or significant other understands and tries hard to help you through it, it’s still hard for them. Don’t think that it doesn’t affect them. They’re hurting because you’re hurting.
I know that this may seem weird to some people, but I believe that our friends can be affected by our depression. They notice when you stop talking, hanging out, or if you seem off. I have this one friend where if she doesn’t hear from me within a certain amount of time, I always get a message from her asking if I’m okay, because she knows that when I go quiet, I’m not doing okay. Now don’t get me wrong, I love having a friend who knows me so well, and loves me so much, but I don’t like the idea that this has become a normal thing where she knows this about me. I thank the Lord for the good friends that are there for you throughout it all, and don’t mind helping you through it, but it’s still hard to think that your friends are affected by your depression. Whether it’s not responding to them, avoiding hanging out, or even getting snippy with them.
Here’s the big one…
Your relationship with the Lord is highly affected when you’re dealing with depression, at least I know for me it is. I’ll struggle with doing my quiet time, praying, reading the Bible, and even going to church. It’s not that I don’t want to do those things, it’s just it’s hard to do them. When I’m struggling with depression, the last thing I turn to is the Lord. I’m not too sure why, but parts of me wonder if it’s because I don’t want that instant relief that I know the Lord can give me. Sometimes it’s even because I’m so focused on myself, I don’t think about turning to the Lord, and I know that He’s there screaming at me to run to Him because He’s the only thing that can sustain me through it!
I do believe there are some lessons that can be learned through depression.
Friends, you’re so much stronger than you could ever imagine. Struggling with depression is difficult. It’s not something that we’ll be cured of, or never have to deal with it. But it’s something that we can learn to manage as best as we can. Maybe it’s something that we have to understand what triggers us to get into this state, and doing the best to avoid those triggers. I know, easily said than done! But what an empowering feeling knowing that we have the ability to feel when we’re getting depressed, and doing what we can to overcome it! Maybe we’ll succeed, and maybe we’ll fail. If you fail friends, please don’t ever beat yourself up for that. You’re human, after all.
Friends, the Lord truly loves you and longs for you to run to Him, because in Him we will find peace! We’ll find the peace that we’re longing for, and that we’re searching for. We’re just searching for it in all the wrong places.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
Psalms 34:18 NIV
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Friends, He’s close to us. We may not always feel it, trust me, I know I don’t always feel it. But He’s there, He’s there for us and longs for us to embrace Him, because He wants to save us! What a refreshing thought!
He heals the brokenhearted
Psalms 147:3 NIV
and binds up their wounds
The Lord can heal us, even when we don’t think He can’t, He does. Depression may not be something that we can ever be fully “healed” from, but it’s something that we know the Lord can help us with. When we run to Him, we know that we’re getting help from the Lord, that He loves us, and is there for us when we’re needing Him the most.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV
I love this verse because it’s the Lord promising us that He is always with us, even when He seems so far. He states that He’s giving us this peace, a peace that is so different from what the world can offer. When we’re struggling with depression, when we’re feeling like we’re alone, or like we don’t know how to get out, we can always be assured that the Lord is there and is helping us! He’s our strength when we feel like we can’t be strong anymore. What a precious reminder!
My friends, please know that if you’re struggling with depression, you’re not alone. Please understand that your feelings are valid, and it’s okay to be struggling. Know that you’re not less of a Christian, but remember that you have this mighty Lord who is longing to be that peace for your heart! Always remember that you’re so much stronger than you think you are, and you deserve to be as happy and free from your depression, and that you’re loved! So so loved!
Until next time!
If you ever need to talk, or have a prayer request, please feel free to contact me!
Also, check out my husband’s blog!
Faith and Coffee 