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

Live Unwavering

During a drive to work one morning, the sun began to rise over the tree line to the East.  No fog in sight.  Vision clear for miles ahead.  A perfect drive.

As a car approached in the opposite lane and flashed their bright lights.  Road talk for “brighting’ someone could be perceived as a warning for danger ahead.  Deer ran rampant at this time; therefore, I thought the driver could be cautioning of deer ahead.  I slowed down slightly and scanned the surroundings.  No deer in sight. 

Another possible warning is a cop ahead.  I was not speeding so no worries there.  Oooh, maybe they were warning of a wreck and to take caution around debris.  Nope!  Not a wreck in site.

The only conclusion I could muster up is the driver believed I should turn on my headlights.  I did not feel the need to illuminate the path ahead at this time of day, being that the sun provided plenty of light for driving.  The weather conditions showed no indication of extra lighting required for safe driving.  Do I really need to turn my headlights on?

The people pleasing character I possess forced me to turn the headlights on despite my belief that it was not necessary. 

Hmmmm?  Have you ever faced a moment in life when your beliefs, morals and character choose one direction while the world screams another direction?  Have you ever had authority strongly suggest an action that you don’t feel comfortable performing?

Why do we allow others to manipulate decisions, actions and beliefs?  Why do we feel compelled to “fit in” with others by conforming to worldly patterns?

 ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:2

The world is broken.  Hurting people hurt people.  Opinions don’t equal truth. 

God did not create carbon-copy individuals.  God created each of us uniquely and wonderfully.  He created each with a purpose and mighty plan.  God did not plan for our character to conform to the broken world; yet, he commands we mature through the renewal of our mind.  Referring to God’s Truth on a daily basis lays a foundation on which to stand.  This foundation grows our spirit and allows us to walk the path laid for our lives. 

My plan looks different from yours.  If I tried to tailor daily decisions based on your purpose, plan and persuasion, I would lose sight of God’s Truth for my life.  God created uniqueness in hopes we all work together to build His Kingdom.  He provided wonderful gifts inside everyone to use in this world.  He desires teamwork.  He provided the same Spirit to all.

⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.  1Corinthians 12:4-6   

Spend today recognizing your gifts that God placed in you at creation.  Use those gifts for good.  Avoid conforming to other’s opinions.  Stand firm on Truth.  Do not waver in this broken world; hold fast to Hope, for He is faithful.

Let us be strong in this world.  If we don’t want to turn on our headlights during daytime hours, let’s not allow someone else’s belief to change our decision!  😊

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

No Purpose in the Pit

A beautiful butterfly takes time to develop into the creation we admire.  The little creature catches our eye when fluttering past.  To begin the process, an egg produces a caterpillar.  Synonyms for caterpillar include worm, maggot, larva, etc.  A vision of beauty does not arise when hearing the word maggot! 

The caterpillar takes a journey into a chrysalis, hides out and transforms into a beautiful butterfly that we enjoy.  More people take pictures of butterflies than caterpillars I am sure.  Butterflies are more appealing to the eye.

Do you think a butterfly wishes to return to a caterpillar stage?  They would give up flying to return to crawling along the rough, dangerous ground. 

Do you think a butterfly longs to hide in a chrysalis?  They would give up beauty and freedom to return to the hardships involved in transformation.

How often do we wish for a different stage of life?  Do you ever long to go somewhere and hide out?  Does a time in your past bring shame to your present journey?

A beautiful spirit takes time to develop.  The maturity we long for inside requires a process.  Each day builds on the next.  Each lesson learned, often through hardships, is part of the transformation.

I could create a long list of moments in the past I regret.  Often, those events creep into my thoughts and the enemy twists them in hopes to bring me down.  The enemy desires me to crash, crawl back into my pit and hide out.  This battle could go in two directions. . .

I could choose to fall in a dark pit of shame, guilt, regret, anger and sadness.  Allowing the enemy to win delays the greatness that God plans for this chapter of my life.  The journey stalls and my purpose cannot be fulfilled.  Choosing the pit over the path steals my joy in this moment and hides the light of God.

I could choose to combat the enemy’s lies with God’s Truth.  As I turn up the volume on God’s voice, the enemy cowers down.  God reveals the beauty that developed from my past.  Each moment in the prior chapters of my life have purpose.  Yes, they were difficult; but, without them, I would not be as strong and beautiful on the inside as I am in this moment. 

God prepares us daily for the next page, the following chapter and continues to write our story in life.  Looking back in shame hinders forward progress.  Rereading the past chapters in life breaks open the wounds.  Visiting the pit of the past steals our purpose of the present. 

Stand strong dear friends.  Don’t allow the enemy to lead you back in the pit.  There is no purpose in the pit.  God has transformed you from your past to move forward on the path laid before you and fulfill a mighty purpose.  Use the transformation to help others out of their pit.  Use spiritual growth to lead others down the path of recovery, growth and peace. 

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.^[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Take one step at a time forward on your journey in life.

 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

Finding Your People

The world screams independence, don’t rely on others, do it yourself and go after what you want!  Okay, I am all about self-motivation and discipline; but, on the same note, we need one another.  Going at the world alone does not align with the original plan. 

I depend on my husband.  I would be lost without him.  We do not fight for power in our marriage.  I avoid throwing out the feminism card.  I need him and he needs me.  God intended teamwork in this life.  Where I lack in knowledge or skill, my husband comes in and shines (and vice versa).  We literally complete one another, encouraging each to be the best version of ourselves. 

I rely on others at work to reach success.  I rely on others to navigate through flooding emotions during the storms in life.  I rely on others to navigate this world.  That is okay.  God intended teamwork in this life.

I can only go after what I desire with the support and encouragement of others.  Advancement in life requires a circle of people cheering you on and listening when things get difficult.  Gathering other perspectives on life helps reach goals and do so smoothly.  God intended Teamwork in this life.  We need one another. 

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two, not one!  The emphasis of “do it yourself”, “don’t rely on anyone”, “independence”, brings joy to the enemy.  The enemy loves when we are alone.  He corners us, fills our minds with pride, lies and destroys the path laid by our Creator. 

God places people in our path for a reason.  He uses His children as vessels to speak Truth into others.  He shines through your people to help in the darkest of moments.  He surrounds you with prayer warriors to fight for you.  Some individuals come in your life for a bit of time just for that reason – to pray on your behalf.  Yet, others come in your life and stay forever because God knows that you need one another to survive this life.

I have two amazing friends in life.  Unfortunately, they both live 200+ miles away.  We do not talk on a the daily; but we think about one another daily, text often and call occasionally.  We visit throughout the year in person and help one another through the tough stuff in life.  I would not trade these two women for the world.  God sent each of them into my path to encourage, love and pray for me.  I provide the same for them. 

I also have two beyond amazing people that God brought to my husband and I early on in our marriage.  These two accepted the mission from God to pour into my husband and me.  They each took time out of their lives to help us through rough times (and continue to do so).  They are amazing.  We remain in contact monthly with them though they live 300+ miles away.  We call on them for wise counsel and they drop everything to talk. 

I have three incredibly amazingly perfect people I return home to daily.  I would not be this far along in my healing journey if not for these three.  God has blessed me beyond measure to allow such love in life.  They love me unconditionally.  They listen when I have a horrible day.  They provide laughter, great memories and encourage me constantly.  I rely on them daily.  They rely on me daily. 

The whole point of all this gibberish is - we need one another!  We need God to fight the enemy.  God helps by sending those with skin on to walk alongside us.  Humility required.  Going against the grain required.  Teamwork required.

Do you have people in your life?  Do you humbly reach out in times of need?  Seek God for guidance to build your people to surround you and help you in life.  Sometimes it takes tearing down the walls built around your heart to let people in and trust that they will stay, love you and help you in this life.  Trust that God will provide you with support people in this world.     

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

No Chapter Wasted

Confession:  I’m a Pinterest addict.  I mean, seriously, I need PA – Pinterest Anonymous.  I scroll daily on Pinterest.  I may not scroll for the same purpose as most.  I scroll for inspirational quotes.  I scroll for recipes as well; but, mostly inspirational quotes.  I know, I know, lame, right?

For some reason, I feel like these quotes help express the emotions stirring inside.  These quotes often become little cheerleaders to help keep me on the positive track.  Some even feel like a little hug and confirmation that everything is okay.  The other day, I read one in particular which deserves an, “Amen!”. . .

Don’t judge my story by the chapter you walked in on.

~anonymous

You shouted, “Amen!”, didn’t you?  It’s okay, no judgement here. 

The people we meet in life have no clue the path we walked to arrive at this point in life.  If you met me today, judgments may begin when looking me up and down or as I speak.  The person standing in front of me has no clue I battled an eating disorder, infertility, anxiety, depression and fought for the woman I am today.

I do not list the things above for sympathy by any means.  I list them to prove a point.  We must not judge when meeting someone regardless of their actions, appearance or words.  We have no clue of the battle they faced, face or will face in this life.  It takes a moment in time that could place you in the same battle the person across from you experiences.  Don’t judge.  We are seeing only a page within a chapter of the book written describing the history of another’s life. 

I may not be where I would like to be in my journey of recovery from the above list; but, I have fought hard to get here and I am thankful for the journey. 

I need to edit the above sentence. . .God fought hard to get me here and I am thankful for the journey He has walked me through.  He is the only way I received healing.  He is the one providing Truth to guide my steps.  He is the life, laying the path I must work diligently to stay on daily.

God continues to fight for each of His children.  The difficult part enters when our pride denies the assistance offered by the One who can defeat the enemy.  God provides the protection required to deflect the fiery darts of the enemy.  God provides the Truth to overpower the lies of the enemy.  God always wins. 

We need the daily reminder found in God’s Word that He will remain by your side today, fight for your peace and lead you in a life of purpose.  He will not waste any page in your past, current or future chapter in life.  He uses all for good as you follow the path laid by Him. 

The chapters written in the past will reveal ugly, messy, bad decisions in my life; but, our Father in Heaven has transformed each moment into useful tools for the pages being written in the present time.  His blood shed on the cross washed all the ugly moments in my past clean.  His sacrifice on the cross transformed the messy years into a ministry.  His acceptance of this sinful woman allowed growth from the bad decisions in the past. 

Remember in this life that those you meet are walking a journey, building a chapter and moving forward in this life.  Be the person that meets them along the journey and helps guide in the positive direction.  Be the person that encourages healthy growth for their next page written.  Be the person that Jesus would have been in the years He walked this Earth.  Treat others as Jesus would treat them.  You never know the battle they faced, are facing or will face.  The enemy attacks us all in various ways. 

Shine Jesus wherever you may travel today! 

   

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

What is Your Motivation?

A workout plan typically involves a goal of toning muscles.  One may choose to tone abs; while another chooses to strengthen arms.  Still another may choose to work on defining leg muscles.  In any case, it takes a dedicated individual to show up daily and put in the work.  Granted, rest days must appear along the journey as well.

Motivation increases chances of success.  The source of motivation varies.  Some place a picture on their fridge from the past with a goal to get back to that size.  Another may gather a few friends for accountability.  Other motivations include, but not limited to, beating a diagnosis, a future event, keeping up with kids/grandkids, feeling less fatigue or trying to fit back in a favorite pair of clothing.  Regardless the motivation, without such drive to reach a goal, the daily work will be darn near impossible. 

Once the goal is met, discipline is still needed to maintain.  The journey does not stop at the goal.  A daily decision must exist to maintain.  Motivation to continue must be present.

We will work diligently to tone muscle, feel better physically and reach “that” goal.  But, will we work just as hard to tone our spirit, feel better emotionally and press on toward the goal. 

¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. ¹⁶ Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Philippians 3:14-16

My dear friends, I spent countless years, days, months and hours working toward the goal of numbing my emotions.  I sought a goal of perfection.  I worked diligently to shrink in size, exercise until the physical pain overpowered the emotional and starve in hopes to numb.  I walked daily down a treacherous path.  I fought for survival in this world.  I lacked motivation to process the world or tone my spirit.  I was lost!

Hitting rock bottom caused me to surrender the fight.  Motivation began to appear in the form of loving individuals desiring for me to live.  They provided help in eating again, supported me on the horrible days and loved me along the path.  I became physically healthy again. 

Only to realize that was not the complete picture. . .

Being physically healthy did not help me process through trials in this world.  I may have gained physical health but remained spiritually apathetic.  I realize now the importance of spiritual health.  We must strive for a strong spirit, Truth filled soul and constant connection with our Father in Heaven.  The process requires a workout plan. 

Show up daily, ready to be a disciple for God, listen to His Word, stand strong on Truth and walk in faith.  It takes dedication, patience and motivation to stay focused on the goal we have been called to accomplish this side of Heaven.  The journey does not end when making through a trial in life.  The journey continues with us taking the strength built from one trial and using it to face the next.

Each trial strengthens, tones and heals our spirit.  This world can crush our spirit and leave us at rock bottom; but, keeping our eyes on the One that carries us through will help us maintain emotional stability.  We can then take our experiences and help others in their journey.  Our goal in life is to motivate others in the same way that God motivated us to process through this life.  Point others to Him.

Let us take this life and strive for spiritual health along with physical health.  Both must coincide to be strong in this broken world.  We must show up daily, put the work in and God will do the rest.  Our motivation in life is the goal of Eternal life with God.  Without this as a goal, the daily work will be darn near impossible.  We are too weak as humans to face this broken world alone.  We need the guidance and power of God to remain strong. 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig