Saturday, February 28, 2015

I Love You (2015 NEDA Week)


I love you.

And, of course, God loves you.
 

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, ‘Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.’”

                                                             Jeremiah 31:3

We often bypass this major truth. Yeah, yeah, yeah, God loves us.

But if we really let it sink in, we’ll see how personal it is.

“Since you were precious in my sight… I have loved you…”

Isaiah 43:4

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

Love is not a general thing; it’s extremely specific, unique to each of us.

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

Replace John 3:16’s “the world” with your name. It’s the ultimate “the ‘I’s’ have it!”

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

 

 

 

                                                                       

Thursday, February 26, 2015

I Nurture You (2015 NEDA Week)


I nurture you.
 

God nurtures you.

A lot of us misuse food and or disordered eating behaviors as a comfort tactic. Whether it be stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness or boredom, we often look to food and our disordered behaviors to fill in some sort of emotional gap.

However, it never really works, does it? Sooner or later, darker emotions return and we feel worse than ever. We look to comfort but there is none.

That’s because, yet again, we’re looking in the wrong direction. Only God is our comfort.

“As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 66:13

He longs to nurture us, take care of our needs and hurts. But He won’t go against our will, even if that will is bent on pushing His loving help away.

Right now, there is Someone Who is an expert in soothing, comforting and loving. Turn to Him now!

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

The Words You Speak...


The Real Ugliness...


Wednesday, February 25, 2015

I Need You (2015 NEDA Week)


I need you.
 

God needs you.

You may believe that there’s no purpose whatsoever to who you are; you may feel useless. However, once again, God views each of us differently.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

If God has specifically taken the time and energy to devote thoughts and plans for a future, there must be, therefore, something only we, as individuals, can uniquely contribute to this life: a destiny.

Embrace, don’t reject, yours! You’re too incredible to simply exist without God’s certain greatness for your life!

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

This Needs To Change...


An Amazing Prayer...


My To-Do List...


The Forgiveness Intersection


 

Featured in the Spring 2015 issue of “In Recovery Magazine,” Cruse discusses how anger and forgiveness both play significant roles within the recovery process.

I Desire You (2015 Neda Week)


I desire you.

God desires you.

 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”

Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34

God yearns for you; you’re constantly on His Mind:

“How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them. Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand...”

Psalm 139:17-18

You may feel undesirable; you may have even had such negative or traumatic experiences which have made you feel unworthy, ugly and undesirable. No matter what other peoples’ thoughts and actions have been toward you, no matter what your thoughts about yourself have been, God is thinking differently. No matter what, He still wants you; He desires you. You are inherently desirable!

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

Monday, February 23, 2015

I Celebrate You (2015 NEDA Week)


I celebrate you.

God celebrates you.

Ever had a party thrown in your honor? Well, that kind of sentiment is how excited God is about each of us.

After all, according to the parable of the lost sheep, there was much focus and energy spent on finding that lost 100th member of the flock.

“Then Jesus told them this parable:  “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Luke 15:3-7

Sure, 99 were present and accounted for. But that wasn’t good enough; it wasn’t the same as having each one there, in God’s sight.


“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17

He wants to rejoice over everyone, in plain sight!


Perhaps you feel there’s nothing worth celebrating right now, especially when it comes to yourself. Please see how differently God’s view is from feelings of low self-worth.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

You have no idea just what God has in mind- and in store- for you!

“But as it is written, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.’”

1 Corinthians 2:9

He’s planning a big surprise party in your honor!

Please show up!

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

Craving


 

Featured in the February 2015 issue of Serene Scene Magazine, Cruse examines the craving aspect of addictions, compulsions and disorders.


 

What are the Results of Your Words?


 

Featured in February 23rd’s Christians In Recovery, Cruse discusses the powerful impact words play in the context of recovery.

 

I Choose You (2015 NEDA Week)


I choose you.

God chooses each of us.
 
Most of us, however, are all too familiar with rejection. Many of us have been bullied, passed over and heartbroken. Simply put: we weren’t chosen. But God actively chooses us.

“I have chosen you and have not cast you away.”

Isaiah 41:9

Again, we’re valuable investments; again, we’re tremendously loved. We don’t need to earn or prove it. There’s nothing which can make God stop loving any of us- nothing!

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

And numbers on a scale, whatever they may be, certainly do not factor into His choosing.

So, today, take a cue from God Himself: choose yourself! Choose to accept and love, not hate and reject, yourself! You are worth the choosing!

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

Saturday, February 21, 2015

(I Value You) NEDA Week, 2015


It’s that time of year again: the National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, February 22nd- 28th, 2015

And, to start it off, let’s look at what God thinks about each one of us. We’ve all received and believed the wrong messages; let’s absorb the truthful and right ones. God thinks this about each of us, right now, despite our failings and imperfections.

I value you.
 

“Since you were precious in my sight… I have loved you…”

Isaiah 43:4

God values each of us. We’re created specifically, intentionally. He placed tremendous thought and care creating us; we are masterpieces to Him.

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.”

Psalm 139:13

And it’s all because He’s so I love with us- and yes, He knew what He was in for. He’s not changed His mind about our value to Him. Therefore, why should we accept any thought contrary to our intrinsic, valuable status?

 
 
Value yourself- right now! You are incredible!!!
Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse
 
 
 
 

Valid Flowers


My Mood Right Now...


It's Okay...


Friday, February 20, 2015

The Dilemma of Writer's Block...


Warning...



Just a Square...


 

Ain’t this the truth?
 

As a child, I had a painful association with the scale. Once upon a time, I saw it as only a weird square in the bathroom. It didn’t garner much attention from me; I was more interested in the blue windmill stencil designs lining the tub and my rubber ducky. It was just a square, taking up space.

However, suddenly, Mom placed me on this square- and I became conscious of what I weighed. Apparently, it wasn’t a good digit as, more frequently I needed to get on this square. Now, suddenly, I had a “weight problem.”

And ever since, I no longer see this particular square as just a square.

Through my entire childhood and adolescence, this square dictated my worth, which was never good enough, always too big, always too heavy.

That drove me to eating disorders, with the hope as I became more punishing of myself, more “dedicated,” well, then my two-digit weight as a young adult would mean triumph. It, however, never really did, of course. Because, I could always lose more weight and somehow, magically, “be better.”

On and on and on I went, into my own scale-obsessed hell...

It’s incredible what we think of this square. It’s supercharged with value, guilt, fear, loathing and importance. The scale, in so many bathrooms yells at us to think less of ourselves.

We give it that power.

We don’t have to, however. We could choose to give something else power in determining our value: God’s Word.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8

What if we measured ourselves by the following?

Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.”

Song of Solomon 1:15

O my dove…let me see your form…for your form is lovely.”

Song of Solomon 2:14

“Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.”

Song of Solomon 4:7

What if we stepped into these scriptures instead? God created our steps for far better things!

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

 Psalms 37:2

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

Thursday, February 19, 2015

"Fat" or Beautiful?"


 

Referencing the great beauties, Bettie Page and Marilyn Monroe, Cruse discusses the often negative, fat shaming language we use in defining ourselves. It appears in February 19th’s Christians In Recovery.


 

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Ain't It the Truth?

(Sigh) Yep...

Distortion: What is the Size of the Scale?


 

 


 
Featured in February 17th’s Christians In Recovery, Cruse examines an individual’s distortion of a scale, especially concerning those struggling with disordered eating and image issues.

 


 

Fat Tuesday


 

Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh.”


It’s Fat Tuesday today. It’s the day of one last blow out of everything forbidden before the self-denial season of Lent.
 

And so, that means gluttony.

Indeed, in this culture, there is extreme emphasis on more, on overdoing it. And, make no mistake, it can be extremely triggering for those of us with food issues and disorders.

Spiritually, it is also an issue…


Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.


It’s not about condemnation. Rather, it’s about spiritually remembering and valuing who we are.

 

 

 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?


It’s about coming up higher.

Let’s observe to do that this Fat Tuesday!


 
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31



Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

 

Monday, February 16, 2015

The Size of the Scale


 

Distortion. It’s a major factor which drives disorder, compulsion and addiction.

And, for those of us recovering from disordered eating and negative body image issues, a crucial centerpiece of our distortion is the scale.

We are ruled by it. We step on it daily, sometimes even several times a day. I know I did, at my worst. We feel defeat or victory, depends upon what the numbers say.

And likewise, in response to this scale obsession, we’ve also heard many a platitude about how “Your weight is not your worth” and “You’re more than a number.”

It is easier heard than believed or lived.

Nevertheless, our thoughts determine the quality of our lives.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...”

Proverbs 23:7

Put simply, it’s how you and I see things. And for most of us who struggle, the scale has loomed too large in our lives. We have completely lost perspective. We determine everything solely by what it says.

Recently, I acquired a dollhouse miniature scale; it’s about an inch big.
 
And looking at it, I see how insignificant it truly is. I can hold it on my index finger. But it has no power to decide my worth, my success or destiny. I could flick it into oblivion with my finger if I so choose.

And, I could certainly focus on how much more power God is in relation to this miniature.

“Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?”

Job 40:9

“O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?”

Deuteronomy 3:24

“O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.”

Isaiah 37:16

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.”

Isaiah 46:9

It’s something to consider. How big is the scale versus God when it not only comes to our bodies, weight and recovery from disorder, but concerning our very lives?

Let’s reduce the scale’s size when it comes to calling the shots about our worth. It doesn’t; God does. And He has some great things to say about us.

“Since you were precious in my sight… I have loved you…”

Isaiah 43:4

“I have chosen you and have not cast you away.”

Isaiah 41:9

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

“The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17

Let’s allow these things to be weighty in our lives instead!

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

 

Don't Let Her...


What Has Come Upon Me


 

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1

Fear. It’s a human emotion and experience.

Try as we might through all manner of vices, addictions, props and assorted coping mechanisms, we still have instances and sometimes, even eras, in which we are touched, if not bombarded, by it.

How are you handling the fear issue in your life?

Scripture repeatedly tells us not to fear…


“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Isaiah 41:10

 “And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last.”

Revelation 1:17

“Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.”

Proverbs 3:25

However, it’s easier said than practiced, isn’t it?

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “self-fulfilling prophecy.” And, perhaps, the first person to experience that phenomenon was dear old Job in the Bible. This poor guy had everything bad happen to him: he lost his family, experienced financial devastation AND was covered with sores. If ever there was a person enduring adversity, it was Job.

And he remarked- okay- whined about his fears realized, again, that self-fulfilling prophecy thing…

“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.”

Job 3:25

I’ve heard it said that fear is faith that something bad will happen to you.

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

Proverbs 29:25

It’s about focus. What do we focus our energy, time and effort on?

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Proverbs 4:23

There are two things to remember and not get confused (and no, it won’t be easy).

First, fear is a human experience. We’re all afraid of something.

But what we need to remember is this fear is NOT from God…

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7

So, how do we begin to reconcile these two concepts? (Again, it’s not easy).

It is, however, possible to give credence to God’s Word, which is powerful NOT powerless in our lives…

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:8-11

Again, it’s not easy or instantaneous. It requires our decision to put faith in God’s Word. And here’s just an example of those very words:

“Since you were precious in my sight… I have loved you…”

Isaiah 43:4

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

Psalm 139:14

“I have chosen you and have not cast you away.”

Isaiah 41:9

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right hand, and whenever turn to the left.’”

Isaiah 30:21

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will guide you with My eye.”

Psalm 32:8

“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:6

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

It’s a lifetime process. And yes, fear can come into it. But God is more powerful than any fear. He can handle you and me.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”

Jeremiah 32:27

So, where do we focus our time, our thoughts, our energies, our resources and our very lives? What do we think about?

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8

We don’t have to let our fears be realized. God can come upon our lives instead.

 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Isaiah 41:10

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse