Given To Appetite

“When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,
and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”

Proverbs 23:1-3

We’re on the brink of the overindulgence holidays. We’re polishing off the last of the Halloween candy; now we’re recovering from Thanksgiving. And then there’s Christmas and Hanukkah, followed by the reinvention promise of New Year’s. Who is groaning out there already? It’s insane.

Yes, we’re entering the valley of the shadow of the appetite holidays; if there’s anything to overdo, we will find it, won’t we? Feasts, eggnog, holiday candy, flowing alcohol and overspending are just a few tasty options, which, one way or another, usually leave us filled with regret later on, as we deal with some form of hangover.

Yep, happy holidays, pass the Ibuprofen, Alka-Seltzer and a pillow to scream into! The joy of the season, huh?

Admit it, these holidays have a way of tapping into our appetites, cleverly masked as celebrating and family togetherness. Those of you out there who are entertaining fantasies of shoving the holiday turkey, stuffing included, over a relative’s head in the hopes of getting them to shut up know what I’m talking about. Those of us entertaining such fantasies opt out, not because of nobility and loving Godly natures; it’s more about wasting good food.

So, we concentrate on drowning our sorrows in our appetites of choice. Bring on the carbs, the booze and the credit cards; let’s get through this somehow!

We believe the lie of the satisfied appetite.

Being this long in the game with my own issues, I’m learning that, when it comes to our tricky carnal natures, there’s no such thing. When it comes to matter of the appetite, the name of the game is more, more, more! And then some more piled on top of that! There! That’ll fix everything! That’ll make everything all better!

So, we consume whatever, however and in whatever amounts we desire. But it’s all deceptive; the appetite we struggle with seems to act as a spiritual barometer. It registers as our chosen God substitute. And, because it is only a substitute, a counterfeit attempt, at best, it never fulfills us. So, what’s the answer we choose if we’re not careful? Gimme more! More booze, pills, mashed potatoes, candy, shopping!

 We’re never fulfilled, but our souls (our minds, wills and emotions) are still starving!

“Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.”

Psalms 107:5

You know that aftermath feeling from a family get together or a holiday party? You know that feeling of trying to summon up the will and courage to clean the trashed house, medicating that industrial size headache (and stomach ache) and squinting at the credit card bills? Well, imagine that’s the reality of your souls when substitute after substitute still seem to fail to create peace, comfort and relief. And why is it like this? Because, for all of our planning, shopping, feasting, drinking, attempting to be merry, numb or obliterated, we fail to keep the main thing the main thing: our fulfillment is connected to God. Period.

“When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,
and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”

Proverbs 23:1-3

Proverbs 23:1-3, indeed, may sound extreme and grizzly when we deal with our appetites. It’s by no means, an endorsement to slit our throats. More accurately, it follows the modern day advice you may have heard around the way: “check yourself before you wreck yourself.”

Whatever appetites we are challenged by, this holiday season and beyond, let’s get real with God about them- and go to God with them! He has promised to satisfy and fill us.

“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

Psalms 107:9

We have tried everything else. There is, after all, no hangover with Him.

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

 

 

 

Day After Aftermath

 

Is anyone out there feeling like this?

 

 

In the name of “overdoing it,” it’s probably not too far- fetched to feel like this 1922 horror film character, Nosferatu. We can wake up the day after a food holiday, feeling rather undead, as we nurse all kinds of hangovers, regrets and indulgences.

And we’re not even at New Year’s yet. Yay.

But, before we lose all hope and retire to our despair coffins, it would probably do us some good to remember and apply God’s Word, which is very much anti-undead. There is still hope, still promise and still renewal, beyond that of any holiday.

“For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”

2 Corinthians 4:15-16

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”

Isaiah 40:29

Wherever we are, however merry or regretful the holidays have found us, it ain’t over yet. God’s still very much alive, in control- AND in love with us; thank God for that!

So, be renewed, even it’s in the tiniest of baby steps. God wants us to have life more abundantly, after all (John 10:10).

Shake off that Nosferatu then- and live!!!

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

Stuffed Chipmunk

 

“In everything give thanks…”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

The internet does it again. I came across this little guy and immediately thought of Thanksgiving…

 

 

“When you’ve started eating and someone starts praying…”

And I caught myself red handed, or, at least, full-mouthed.

Ah, the apparent dignity and beauty of human nature right here, everybody.

This time of year, as we fully get the holidays- the food holidays- underway, it’s all too easy to focus on that enormous array of food choices, to the exclusion of gratitude. Turkey, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and stuffing all too often persuade us to shove our mouths with food long before the thought of saying grace and acknowledging God comes into play. Suddenly, before we know it, if we’re completely mindless and indulgent, everyone has puffed out cheeks and no one is spitting out a “thank you, God.”

“We give praise and thanks to You, O God, we praise and give thanks; Your wondrous works declare that Your Name is near and they who invoke Your Name rehearse Your wonders.”

Psalm 75: 1

In reality, if only…

And none of us look as cute as the internet chipmunk. We look selfish, greedy and ridiculous.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I understand the principle that, perhaps, one is not responsible for something until they know it. One of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Maya Angelou: “When you know better, you do better.”

And that is precisely the point concerning the Thanksgiving Day concept; we all know better. Indeed, the “thanks” is built into the name of the holiday. We all “know better,” translation, we know we should be thankful for the blessings in our lives. But, do we honestly “do better” with that knowledge, translation, that expression of thanks to God personally?

“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Psalm 34:1

 

Eh…

Now, before you think I’m only pointing my finger at you, please keep in mind I also have four aiming right back at me. And, I know there are many of us out there, affected by all matter of addictions and disorders with many temptations distracting us from saying authentic grace. I know each of us has that weakness, that craving, maybe even that “downfall.”

 Still, that should not completely eclipse our capacity for gratitude. How about being grateful for the numerous ways God has mercifully kept and spared us, in spite of us?

 “Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
       for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
       great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.”

Isaiah 63:7

Again, I’m preaching this to my whiny chipmunk self as much as I am to anyone else.

Yes, there are challenges, horrible, painful things which can befall us. That still doesn’t change the reality that, in one way or another, we have experienced God’s grace and mercy. And that should prompt at least the occasional thought, causing us to stop and reflect on the reality check blessings we bask in, on any given day.

Thanksgiving should be that ideal setting, right?

What if we took a few seconds to stop and reflect, before our mouths are full? What if we did say- and mean- “thank you?”

What if we weren’t stuffed chipmunks?

“I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”

Psalm 7:17

All right. Now we can eat.

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

 

More Eating Disorder Recovery Holiday Help...

http://christians-in-recovery.org/holiday-traditions-and-eating-disorder-rituals

Angelfish and Birds

 

 

This time of year, I love to watch the Thanksgiving holiday film, “Home For the Holidays.”

 

 It humorously captures the family dysfunction and stress as its female lead, Claudia, dreads spending time with her parents and siblings.

 

This dread prompts Claudia’s daughter to offer some calming advice, based on a snorkeling vacation, “Remember the Angelfish… Just float.”

 

With much emphasis on turkey dinners this holiday, there has not been a lot of attention to other birds. And forget about fish!

 

Yet, what struck me, as I watched this film, was the connection between fish and birds when it came to possessing a calm spirit in the face of anxious, emotion-filled circumstances, known as family holidays.

 “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature. And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

 

Matthew 6:26-29

 

 “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?”

Luke 12:6

 

“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.”

 

Luke 5:4-7

 

What do these scriptures have in common? The directive given is to not worry about the situations- family included- in our lives.

 

"Don't be afraid; just believe."

Mark 5:36

 

I know; it’s easier said than done. But the reality check of possibility is still there, nonetheless.

It’s reassurance, given to us, over and over again. Let’s take a look at a storm situation, once upon a time…

 

“And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us: we perish.’

And he saith unto them, ‘Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?’ Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”

Matthew 8:26

 

Great calm…

 

Ah, if only, right? If only that could extend to our relatives, to those special people who seem to have a talent in pushing all kinds of volatile personal upset buttons!

 

But God has promised to help us…

 

“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

 

 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalms 46:1

 

 

 “Storms,” after all, are a subjective thing for us, right?

 

Therefore, these scriptures mean the equivalent of our film’s famous line, “Just float.”

 

Need some help floating this holiday season? We all do.

 

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered...”

Joel 2:32

 

So, please, as you make your way through these holidays, jam-packed with stressful gatherings and challenging people, call on that important name… and remember the Angelfish. Just float.

 

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

Obtaining the Warrior Spirit

 

Featured in November 24^th’s Christians In Recovery, Cruse discusses the power of taking on a fighting spirit when it comes to our recovery processes.

http://christians-in-recovery.org/Issues_Hardship_Obtaining-the-Warrior-Spirit

Don't Drive Yourself Insane Trying To Create This...

Surviving the Holiday Season...

Holidays and special occasions are often very stressful periods for individuals with food and weight problems. The emphasis on spending time with family and on celebrating with food can be very difficult. Based on past experience, and an understanding of yourself and of the people close to you, you may be able to avoid, or cope constructively with, uncomfortable situations. For example:

• Predict high stress times and places; decide which events you will and won't attend, and plan to have some time to yourself to restore yourself and take care of your own needs.
• Predict which people might make you most uncomfortable and plan appropriate ways of excusing yourself from their company.
• If at all possible, allow yourself to enjoy a moderate amount of "special occasion foods."
• Predict what people might say that would lead you to feel uncomfortable. Plan and practice responses. Ask people not to comment on your body, appearance, or eating habits.
• Predict negative thoughts that you might have during the holidays, and practice thinking differently.
• Carry with you a list of phone numbers of friends and crisis lines, and a list of self-soothing activities.

It may be helpful to realize that the "picture-book" holiday sense is not a reality for many people. Some cannot afford it, there are many single people who are not close to their families or do not have a family, and there are many families that do not fit into the dominant cultural model of "family". Do not blame yourself for family or friendship conflicts. People are not different during the holidays than any other time of the year. Remember that you are responsible only for your own actions and for taking care of yourself.

For more info:
NEDIC Bulletin: Vol. 7, Coping With the Holidays

A Reminder To Share This Thanksgiving Day...

A Very Good Listener...

Roses Too

Abused? God Has Victory For You!

 

Featured in November 20^th’s Christians In Recovery, Cruse discusses the healing role God plays concerning our abused and bullied experiences.

http://christians-in-recovery.org/Issues_Abuse_Abused-God-has-victory-for-You

Good Impression...

What the Day's All About...

Thinking About Thanksgiving...

I cracked up when I saw this:

 

 “When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,
and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”

Proverbs 23:1-3

We’re in the sea of overindulgence holidays. We’re polishing off the Halloween candy; now we’re headed into the choppy waters of Thanksgiving. And then there’s more fun: Christmas and Hanukkah, followed by the reinvention promise of New Year’s.

My raft is overturned.

Admit it, these holidays are raging seas for our appetites.

We often struggle not to drown in our appetites of choice.

And we believe the lie of the satisfied appetite.

Being this long in the game with my own issues, I’m learning that, when it comes to our tricky carnal natures, there’s no such thing. When it comes to matter of the appetite, the name of the game is more, more, more! And then some more piled on top of that! There! That’ll fix everything! That’ll make everything all better!

So, we consume whatever, however and in whatever amounts we desire. But it’s all deceptive; the appetite we struggle with seems to act as a spiritual barometer. It registers as our chosen God substitute. And, because it is only a substitute, a counterfeit attempt, at best, it never fulfills us. So, what’s the answer we choose if we’re not careful? Gimme more!

 Still, we’re never fulfilled, but our souls (our minds, wills and emotions) are still starving!

“Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.”

Psalms 107:5

You know that aftermath feeling from a family get together or a holiday party? You know that feeling of trying to summon up the will and courage to clean the trashed house, medicating that industrial size headache (and stomach ache) and squinting at the credit card bills? Well, imagine that’s the reality of your souls when substitute after substitute still seem to fail to create peace, comfort and relief. And why is it like this? Because, for all of our planning, shopping, feasting, drinking, attempting to be merry, numb or obliterated, we fail to keep the main thing the main thing: our fulfillment is connected to God. Period.

“When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,
and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”

Proverbs 23:1-3

Proverbs 23:1-3, indeed, may sound extreme and grizzly when we deal with our appetites. It’s by no means, an endorsement to slit our throats. More accurately, it follows the modern day advice you may have heard around the way: “check yourself before you wreck yourself.”

Whatever appetites we are challenged by, this holiday season and beyond, let’s get real with God about them- and go to God with them! He has promised to satisfy and fill us.

“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

Psalms 107:9

We have tried everything else. There is, after all, no hangover with Him.

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

 

 

 

 

What do you s-a-a-ay?

“In everything give thanks…”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

When my aunt was a little girl, while visiting family friends, she and my grandparents were given some bread for lunch. She was then immediately prompted to display good manners, from my grandmother, prodding her with the question, “What do you sa-a-a-a-y?” Everyone waited to see if my aunt would provide the correct response.

So, what was her answer, after an uncomfortable, pregnant pause?

“Butter!”

Ah, yes, let’s hear it for Ms. Manners, everyone.

It’s humorous, but too true about human nature, isn’t it?

Thanksgiving. Gratitude.

We’re inundated with these words and sentiments this time of year. Kicking off the holiday season in our culture now means getting a huge turkey which will hopefully not be under or overcooked, invading family (or being invaded by them), overeating from the all-day feast, watching football and feeling stressed about the next big holiday- and all the work that one requires.

Thankfulness? Gratitude?

Ideally, yes, that should be our response.

“Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].”
1 Thessalonians 5: 18

 But in reality? Eh, not so much.

 “Butter” seems to be more like it.

Saying this isn’t to condemn anyone into feeling like a pathetic worm. Human beings are human beings. Sometimes we’re stressed. Sometimes we’re selfish. Sometimes we’re thoughtless. Sometimes we’re thankless, even when we’ve encountered a holiday which touts the great gratitude message.

But that doesn’t mean that we, upon awareness of our imperfect human status, are not capable of being thankful…grateful for something!

That’s even more important if we’re faced with the challenge of recovery from disorders and addictions. We need a God who has already promised us He would be our help:

“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 41:13

That means everything concerning us. It covers our issues, our addictions, disorders, problems and yes, our holiday stress. And you and I are stressing, aren’t we?

And there’s more good news: God’s Mercy.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22- 23

God loves us constantly, overwhelmingly. He’s been so good to each one of us. Again, in our lives, no matter what we’ve experienced, there’s always something to be thankful for. Having trouble coming up with a list? How about considering these possible reasons for gratitude?

1)      You are alive; you have the gift of your life. God’s not content to just have you survive, however. Jeremiah 29:11 informs us of His Will:

“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.”

2)      You have a God Who loves you beyond understanding:

“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             

You may not know it or feel it- you may even feel the opposite of that great love- but God has already made up His Mind about you- as you are right now. He loves you. Nothing will change that.

“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

3)      What about your health? Have you ever thanked God for keeping your heartbeat going? Have you ever thanked Him for your breath? Have you ever thanked God for keeping your systems and organs functioning in a healthy manner?

4)      Even if you’re ill, have you realized- and thanked God for being your healer?

“…I am the LORD that healeth thee.”

Exodus 15:26

5)      And for all you have: in family, friends, freedom, prosperity, wellbeing and comfort, have you thought about God’s role in that reality?

“The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth forever...”

Psalms 138:8

No, life isn’t perfect. There are problems and issues we face- even on a holiday. And yes, holidays, like Thanksgiving itself, often amplify the stress and issues in our lives. Still, God is working with us and fully aware our every thought and feeling.

“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”

Psalm 139:17-18

We’re never alone and left helpless. God IS there; He loves unconditionally and desires a better life for us.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

3 John 1:2

Stress shouldn’t be an excuse to be thankless about our lives; it shouldn’t be an excuse to be thankless to a loving God who thinks about us more than we know. If we’re stressed we can talk to Him- not in King James English, but as ourselves. Part of that process needs to include gratitude…

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”

Philippians 4: 6

 

Don’t make gratitude or thanking God more difficult than it is. It’s simple. It’s recognition of the good things, the help and the life you’re living right now.

“We give praise and thanks to You, O God, we praise and give thanks; Your wondrous works declare that Your Name is near and they who invoke Your Name rehearse Your wonders.”

Psalm 75: 1

Take a moment- not even an hour or a day- and simply stop. Reflect. Breathe. Thank God now. This time of year is a great time to practice gratitude. Thanksgiving is more than a holiday. It’s a way of being. Be thankful. What do you s-a-a-a-a-ay?

You can get through the holiday season, as challenging as it is. Why not start with prayer right now, right where you are?

“Father, I come to You in The Name of Jesus, thanking you for helping me with my life. You know where I am. You know my struggles, challenges and stresses. Help me navigate and deal with them, supplying me with Your help, power and resources. Forgive me for being thankless and taking my life for granted. Help me, instead, to celebrate it, starting this holiday season. Show me not only Your goodness and blessings; show me Who You are and who you’ve created me to be. Thank You. Amen.”

And remember: God loves you, is for you and will help you through it all! God bless you in your holiday season!

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse