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Things Lost, Better Things Gained

Probably one of the richest lessons has been realizing the amount of mental and spiritual energy I wasted for years just wishing things would change. All the while beating myself up for not having the discipline to make those changes.

If you have an issue with weight and food, you know what I mean. But no matter what issue you are currently dealing with, may I offer a bit of encouragement? Jesus wants to help you with that issue. He really does. But you've got to stop beating yourself up about it, determine to follow His lead, and stand in the place of repentance.

We like to identify our shortcomings, form them into a club, and mentally beat the tar out of ourselves. Over and over and over again. We label ourselves and soon lose our real identity to the beaten and bruised fragility we call "me."

 We compare, we assume, we assess, we measure, and most times walk away shaking our head at how woefully short our "me" falls when compared to everyone else. How dangerous it is to hold up the intimate knowledge of our imperfections against the outside packaging of others (emphasis mine).

If there is one thing that living 40 years has taught me, it's this: all God's girls have issues.  All of us.  Every single one of us.  We haul around a bucketload of issues.  My issues bucket is probably full of different junk than yours, but it's there nonetheless.

Now hear me out.

I'm not saying victory isn't possible.  It is.

I can make the choice to identify my shortcomings and, instead of using them against myself, hand them over to Jesus and let Him chisel my rough places.  The grace-filled way Jesus chisels is so vastly different than the way I beat on myself.  My beatings are full of exaggerated lies that defeat.  His chiseling is full of truth that sets me free.

Oh what a difference.

Jesus doesn't compare.

Jesus doesn't condemn.

Jesus doesn't exaggerate.

He simply says, "Hey, I love you.  Just as you are.  But I love you too much to leave you stuck in this.  So, let's fully turn from those things that are not beneficial for you."

I like that about Jesus.

I like that a lot.

I like it more than chips.  I like it more than chocolate.


- Excerpt from "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst
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