Only by His Strength

As the holidays approach each year, I can remember a time when dread creeped into every moment.  I would resent the fact that every event involved food.  I hated the idea of gathering around food.  I battled the thoughts of earning the food that I would ingest.  Or, I would drown in guilt after going back for seconds because the food tasted good.  I would calm the struggles inside my head with eating disorder behaviors. 

Exhaustion followed such a cycle.  Consumed with thoughts of guilt and shame over a substance our body requires to survive is overwhelming.  The thoughts steal joy in each moment.  Oh, the years I have lost. . .

But, through these struggles arose strength.  I may not be where I “should” be with recovery given the years I have been working through it; but I am moving in the right direction.  It takes time to grow strength.  It takes time to heal from brokenness.  It takes time. . .      

Too often, we fall in a trap of rushing.  We rush around to get things done.  We rush from event to event and mark it off the calendar.  We rush to meet a deadline.  And so on.  But there is no rush in recovery, forgiveness, healing, maturity or mental health.  Rushing through increases the risk of missing an important lesson along the way.  Moving too fast through healing leaves vulnerability for relapse. 

Offer grace to yourself through any healing you may face.  The holidays can be tough for a variety of reasons.  Family may be the toughest of them all; be it due to loss, unforgiveness, longing for closeness, etc.  Battling food may cause tough situations for someone.  Alcohol addiction may be the culprit for struggle.  The list continues.

Life is a journey.  Sometimes the road presents curvy, treacherous or slick.  The terrain will not remain the same; be on guard, stand firm on God’s Truth to see you through all situations.  Take one step at a time.  Reach out for help.  Our purpose is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to work together for good in this world and help one another mature in Christ. 

I am thankful for the journey, albeit quite rough.  I am thankful for those that reached out a hand when I began to fall.  I am thankful for God’s Truth and coming to know Him greater and greater through His Word.  His presence does not go unnoticed.  He has brought peace where anxiety once consumed.

Again, I may not be where I need to be in this journey; but the slower pace is gaining greater strength.  I can face situations with peace that I once thought impossible.  Not by my strength. . .only by His.    

Slow down the journey dear friends.  Enjoy the moment.  Love the people around you while shining the Light of Jesus.  We do not know the battle others face, the struggle inside their minds or the physical ailments battled.  Love even when others make it tough.  Pray about those that have caused pain, resulting in a tough journey.  Your prayers will bring peace.  Hang in there. . .

   

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

I "Get to" Live This Moment

Close your eyes and imagine a place void of stress.  Take a deep breath in. . .slowly exhale.  Imagine yourself sitting in that place - no demands, no itinerary, and positive thoughts surrounding you.

Images would vary amongst individuals:  beach side watching the waves crash against one another; in the middle of the forest with the sound of nature all around; inside with a cup of hot chocolate while snow falls outside the window; sitting by a bonfire gathered with friends. . .

The list goes on and on; all dependent on the individual and where they find comfort.  Often the place imagined holds great memories.  Sometimes the place imagined is a desire or on an individual’s “bucket list”.  And yet some imagine a place they visit quite regularly; possibly their vacation spot.

My challenge to all:  Why must we imagine a place void of stress?  Why must we force a deep breath?  Why must we search for positive thinking?

The broken world attempts to steal peace, destroying calm and filling our thoughts with negativity.  Each year and with each generation, the world gets louder, busier and increases demands. 

“How are you doing?”  A question typically answered with, “Busy” or “Tired” or “Okay”.  I am guilty of such. 

Look at your calendar.  Yes, every evening fills with events.  With the holidays right around the corner, the calendar will fill at its greatest capacity.  We could approach these events with an attitude of “have to” or “get to”.  I understand that some events may involve family members that cause animosity amongst all.  I understand that memories attached to holidays make it difficult to enjoy the events.  Ergo, the “have to” mentality takes over.  Survival is the goal.

What if we tried to take even one gathering and approach with “get to” attitude?  What if we focused intently on the love, decorations, laughter and conversation of the event?  What if we remained in the moment?

I guarantee peace would enter the event.  Deep breath in and slow exhale out.  Remove the thought of anything else but the current moment.  Think, “I get to be here, what a blessing to have this moment.”

Over the years, I have worked diligently to change my thinking.  Negative thoughts consumed Every. Single. Moment.  I would have overwhelming anxiety before even leaving my home over EVERY EVENT.  Each day, anxiety blocked peace.  I could not focus due to the negative thinking.  I hated it.  Survival mode was my constant.  The moment I woke up, I counted down the hours until I could go back to bed.  There, I could hide from it all.  I was not fully enjoying this life given to me.  I was unable to live out the purpose God intended.

I think the major turnaround occurred just recently.  Yes, I have spent years on recovering from an Eating Disorder; but the true peace mentioned above began to appear most recently in my life.  The turnaround occurred when I felt hatred toward the lack of peace, and I threw my hands up in surrender.  I claimed to God that I can’t do it anymore.

The Holy Spirit whispered, “Finally”.  You see, the peace that passes all understanding only comes from God.  Peace among the broken world, the crazy itineraries and demands only comes through His strength.  We must take each day to the Cross, offer it up to God and He will bring mighty purpose in every moment of that day.  We can start the process by offering up thanksgiving to God. 

Take a deep breath in and slow exhale out. . .thank Him for just that – breath.  He breathed life into each of us and for a purpose.  The purpose is not to be busy or tired or just okay.  The purpose is to enjoy this life while shining His Light to those around you.  True peace comes with thanksgiving.  Focus on the moment.  Give this moment to God and watch the amazing purpose that comes from surrender.  He is peace.  Invite Him into your calendar.  Live with a “get to” attitude.     

   

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig