Ladies, have you ever had that feeling that something was just \u201cmeant to be\u201d or you just know that there is a reason God orchestrated something to happen?\u00a0 Well, that is how I felt as I read the section of the book I am blogging on today.\u00a0 If I wasn\u2019t made to talk about this subject, I don\u2019t know who was!<\/p>\n
Yesterday Carissa talked about hiding our true selves.\u00a0 The problem with hiding is that is doesn\u2019t make the problem go away, it doesn\u2019t ease the ache.\u00a0 It just isolates you and, more often than not, causes you to turn to other methods to ease the pain.\u00a0 We call them indulgences.\u00a0 I love what the Bible calls them in Jeremiah 2:13—our \u201cbroken cisterns.\u201d\u00a0 These cisterns are different for every person.\u00a0 What is yours?\u00a0 Where do you tend to turn when things get tough?\u00a0 When your emotions get too much to handle?\u00a0 Food?\u00a0 Shopping?\u00a0 Alcohol?\u00a0 Internet?\u00a0 Television? Drugs?\u00a0 The list could go on and on.<\/p>\n
Yes, all of these things make can us feel better.\u00a0 The problem is that it is a temporary fulfillment.\u00a0 After a few minutes…a day…a week…the pleasure goes away and that ache is still there.\u00a0 That is because we are created to be fulfilled by only one thing—the love of God.\u00a0 Until you start turning to God to fill the empty places, you will never find true peace.\u00a0 You may not think what you do is a big deal, that it\u2019s harmless.\u00a0 So I had a piece of cake; so my credit card bill just got a little higher; so I spent a night zoned out in front of the tv;\u00a0 so what\u2019s the big deal?\u00a0 In my quiet time with the Lord this morning, I read this in my Bible and I immediately thought how perfect it is for today\u2019s blog: It\u2019s easy to slip into a quiet rebellion \u2013 going about your life in your own way.\u00a0 But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you.\u00a0 The choice is yours.\u00a0 Will it be God, oryour own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute?<\/p>\n
I speak from experience.\u00a0 For many years I turned to food as my \u201cbroken cistern.\u201d\u00a0 It was my medication, it was my comfort, it was my love.\u00a0 I was a compulsive overeater AND\u00a0a bulimic.\u00a0 I tried so hard to control my circumstances through food.\u00a0 What a horrible idea!\u00a0 As I neared 300 pounds, I knew something needed to change.\u00a0 It was my focus.\u00a0 I stopped focusing on the problem and the food and I started bringing it to God.\u00a0 When I wanted to binge, I prayed.\u00a0 When I was upset I turned to God instead of the kitchen cabinets.\u00a0 In no way am I saying it is easy, there were many tears shed and angry words uttered in the process, and it is still an ongoing process, but after losing 90 pounds, and faltering along the way, I can say, without any reservations that turning to God instead of my indulgences made the life changing difference for me.\u00a0 He is always there for us, no matter how far gone we think we are, no matter what decisions we choose.\u00a0 The good news is that, according to Ezra 9:9, \u201cGod has not deserted us in our bondage.<\/strong><\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Are you in bondage?\u00a0 If you need to make a change, what does that change look like for you?\u00a0 Remember, it doesn\u2019t need to be a \u201cmajor\u201d indulgence that keeps you from God, the enemy works in the little things, too.\u00a0\u00a0These substitutes will never resolve the deeper issue in our souls.<\/p>\n \u00a0********************<\/p>\n LET\u2019S PRAY<\/strong><\/p>\n Father, we come humbly to You today to ask for forgiveness.\u00a0 We have turned to things other than You for comfort.\u00a0 We have tried to ease our pain with worldly methods.\u00a0 We know that You are the only answer.\u00a0 We know You are the only one who can take our struggles away and give us the love and comfort we desire.\u00a0 Thank You for the grace and forgiveness You offer every time we falter.\u00a0 Give us the strength to turn away from the easy fix and to fix our eyes on You.\u00a0 We ask this in Your Heavenly Name.\u00a0 Amen.<\/p>\n YOUR ASSIGNMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n What are your broken cisterns?\u00a0 Where do you turn other than God when the stress gets to be too much or the pain is tangible?\u00a0 If you have overcome these issues share some practical strategies with us.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ********************<\/p>\n If you are interested in joining us for this online Bible study, click HERE<\/a> to sign up.<\/p>\n Once we receive your registration, we will email you with further details.<\/p>\n