I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people,and His incomparably great power for us who believe. — Ephesians 1:18-19a
Thought for the Day: We were made for more! More than this failure, more than this vicious cycle of defeat, more than being ruled by our taste buds, body image, rationalizations, and guilt. We were made for victory.
More than once, I’ve held the latest, greatest diet book in one hand with my other hand wedged into the back pocket of my ever-tightening jeans. But the thought of taking the plunge and signing up for another diet made me want to sit down and cry. I’d return the book to the shelf, toss my head back, and sigh, “Another day, another time. I’m doing the best I can right now.”
It is so tempting to quit the health struggle entirely and pretend it doesn’t really matter spiritually. But it does matter — and not just for the physical or emotional setbacks. It’s the denial of a fundamental spiritual truth. What is this truth?
Your parents might have told it to you when you got sassy and disrespectful: “More is expected of you. You aren’t a brat, so don’t act like one.”
Your teacher might have told it to you when you turned in a halfhearted term paper: “You have more potential as a student than what you’ve shown here.”
Your friends have definitely said it when your loser boyfriend dumped you: “He didn’t deserve you. You’re worthy of a better love than he could offer.”
Today, your heavenly Father is telling you the same truth:
“You were made for more!”
More than this failure, more than this vicious cycle of defeat, more than being ruled by taste buds, body image, rationalizations, guilt, and shame. You were made for victory!
The apostle Paul writes:
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. — Ephesians 1:18-19a
Having the eyes of my heart enlightened with truth gives me the great power Paul is referring to here. Saying “I am made for more; I have great power” is a great script to play in our heads every time we’re tempted with guilt, rationalizations, or the “I’ll-do-better- tomorrow” escape clauses.
We need a power beyond our frail attempts and fragile resolve. We need strength greater than our taste buds, hormones, temptations, and our inborn female demand for chocolate. Yes, the truth of who we are and the power to live out that truth — that’s what we need. So, say it out loud with me today: I was made for more!
Dear Lord, thank You for the truth that I am made for more. Please help me to soak this truth in and to live it out. Enlighten the eyes of my heart so I may believe and receive what You have for me today. Show me a new perspective as I seek to honor You with my choices. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Excerpted with permission from Made to Crave Devotional by Lysa Terkeurst, copyright Zondervan.
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Your Turn
Whether you are male or female, young, old, or somewhere in the middle, wealthy or not, popular or not, food (or any other substitute for Jesus) can overpower your will. Food does not discriminate! We can only conquer it with the help of God Himself! And, we were made for more. The Lord has more for us than addictions, insecurity about our appearance, and low confidence. Come join the conversation on our blog! We’d love to hear from you about being victorious over our food choices! ~ Devotionals Daily