Last night I grabbed dinner from Panera Bread.
I stood in the line and tried to keep my eyes on the cashier taking my order.
I knew that if I looked down, I’d be in trouble.
I knew that if I looked down, I might lose focus.
I knew that if I looked down, I might throw resolve to the wind.
Panera has the best doggone chocolate chip cookies.
Top rated. Head of their class. Best of show.
And those chocolate chip cookies have eyes.
If I looked at them, my fear would be that they looked back at me.
Each one of those morsels of wonderful goodness pierce to the very core of my natural life-long cravings and beckon me.
They literally stare me down and call my name. How can I refuse?
And many times, I don’t.
Panera Bread chocolate chip cookies aren’t my only weakness.
Nestle, Pillsbury, and my own melt-in-your-mouth-made-with-a-hershey-bar cookies will get me too.
I promise myself I’ll only eat one only to realize that I just ate the cookie friend of another cookie left on the pan or in the bag or box and I want them to be together.
I digress.
This is not some literary attempt to make you feel sorry for me. Nor is it an effort to draw an association among those of us who live (and die) by various iterations of chocolate and have us singing kum-ba-yah around the fondue pot.
The point is that weaknesses are real.
Everyday you are I are fighting something.
And… many of you, like me, are fighting a ferocious struggle with the #FATDEMON and while you are holding out to win the war, you have lost your share of battles over the years.
Alright, so maybe the cookies don’t stare at you.
Maybe weight gain isn’t your issue.
Maybe you don’t have regular clashes with your cravings.
But I know that there are lots of things that can weigh you down and keep you from the best version of yourself.
Maybe you wrestle with your reactions…
Maybe it takes everything in you and all you’ve got not to make choices based on your emotions.
Without discipline, a woman can let her heart mislead her.
Ask any woman who has stayed too long in a bad relationship.
Maybe you struggle with managing your money…
Maybe financial freedom escapes you because you can’t put the credit card down or stay out of the stores with the best weekend sales.
Without control, a woman can pay her way right into the poor house.
Ask any woman who has floundered forever between robbing Peter to pay Paul or living from one check to the next.
Maybe you battle with your beliefs…
Maybe you want a more intimate relationship with God.
Without resolve, a woman can let busyness, entertainment, or one more minute of sleep keep her from spending more time feeding her spirit..
Ask the woman who realizes that it’s been 10 years of habitually letting the snooze button, one more sitcom, or one more involvement or situation rob her of precious moments spend with the God of the universe.
For me, last night it was those doggone cookies.
What is for you?
What is it that you desire more than the distraction right in front you?
How do we get more of what we want?
How do we get closer to our goals?
How do we find our way to the best iteration of the unique creation we were designed to be?
Keep your focus. Keep your resolve. Keep your eyes fixed forward.
And if you have to…
Deny.
Nobody likes to acknowledge it but it’s the truth..
Anything worth having is going to require you to deny.
Deny yourself of what you want now for want you want later.
What do you desire?
What are you actually willing to release or delay so that you can have it?
Deny.
Everyone has something they say they want more.
The question is are they, am I, willing to do what it takes to get it.
Are you struggling with self-discipline, control, or restraint?
It’s OK to admit it.
It’s OK to pray about it.
So let’s pray.
For ourselves.
For each other.
We serve a God who knows, the desires or our hearts, and knows that we need Him and the power that He supplies to conquer whatever it is that we end to crave.
We just have to ask.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me,
he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Matthew 16:24
It’s a beautiful thing to see women praying for each other.
So here we go…
As always, feel free to pray about A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G…
But if you are helped by having a topic to focus on for prayer…
Deny.
Again… feel free to pray about anything that concerns you.
But if today’s prayer focus resonates with you, pray in that direction.
So how exactly does this work do you ask? Keep scrolling for the details…
So excited about prayer this weekend!
Help spread the word!
If you are new to our prayer on Fridays or need a little refresher here are the details…
1) Post YOUR prayer.
First, scroll to the end of the post to find the section for comments. Keep scrolling to the end of the comments to find the empty box where you can leave your prayer request. Click “Post Comment”.
2) Pray for someone else.
Then, look above you in the comment thread for the person who posted just before of you. Hit “reply” and pray for them. That way we make sure that everyone gets covered!
Please don’t feel insecure about your ability to pray for another sister or feel that her request is above your spiritual “pay grade.” Just pray with your heart. God hears. He works with the words that we have and then He takes care of the rest.
3) Post your pic!
Make sure we can “see” you! Go to Gravatar.com so that others can see your face in the comments! (It’s easy! Just click on the green button labeled “Get your gravatar today” )
4) Pray more
Once you have left your prayer request and prayed for the person above you, if you have a few minutes feel free to reply and pray for any other comment/prayer you see in the thread.
Want to receive updates from Chrystal’s Chronicles direct to your inbox?
Click below to subscribe!
What do you desire?
What are you actually willing to release or delay so that you can have it?
Deny.
Everyone has something they say they want more.
The question is are they, am I, willing to do what it takes to get it.
Are you struggling with self-discipline, control, or restraint?
It’s OK to admit it.
It’s OK to pray about it.
So let’s pray.
For ourselves.
For each other.
We serve a God who knows, the desires or our hearts, and knows that we need Him and the power that He supplies to conquer whatever it is that we end to crave.
We just have to ask.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me,
he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Matthew 16:24
It’s a beautiful thing to see women praying for each other.
So here we go…
As always, feel free to pray about A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G…
But if you are helped by having a topic to focus on for prayer…
Deny.
Again… feel free to pray about anything that concerns you.
But if today’s prayer focus resonates with you, pray in that direction.
So how exactly does this work do you ask? Keep scrolling for the details…
So excited about prayer this weekend!
Help spread the word!
If you are new to our prayer on Fridays or need a little refresher here are the details…
1) Post YOUR prayer.
First, scroll to the end of the post to find the section for comments. Keep scrolling to the end of the comments to find the empty box where you can leave your prayer request. Click “Post Comment”.
2) Pray for someone else.
Then, look above you in the comment thread for the person who posted just before of you. Hit “reply” and pray for them. That way we make sure that everyone gets covered!
Please don’t feel insecure about your ability to pray for another sister or feel that her request is above your spiritual “pay grade.” Just pray with your heart. God hears. He works with the words that we have and then He takes care of the rest.
3) Post your pic!
Make sure we can “see” you! Go to Gravatar.com so that others can see your face in the comments! (It’s easy! Just click on the green button labeled “Get your gravatar today” )
4) Pray more
Once you have left your prayer request and prayed for the person above you, if you have a few minutes feel free to reply and pray for any other comment/prayer you see in the thread.
Want to receive updates from Chrystal’s Chronicles direct to your inbox?
Click below to subscribe!
Hi I am very new to posting, your chronicle has touched me because this is exactly what I have been struggling with (my weight). I remember when I was younger my older sister would say; a moment on the lips is a lifetime on the hips. This meant to me that if I ate the wrong thing it would be (glued) to my hips and remain forever. Most of the time I took my health for granted. I forgot how blessed I am that I have no pain or disability. I forgot that my body with all of my imperfections is a gift from God. (Lord help me to always remember that you created me in your Holy image). Lord when I am critical of my appearance remind me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. If I become jealous of someone else’s appearance, Lord teach me to treasure my unique form. Help me God to care for my body, Lord you said I was the your temple and that you dwell within.. As you do all these things I will always give your name the praise. In Jesus name. Amen
Not sure where my post went however here’s my prayer for Pat.
Lord I come to you right now praying for my sister in Christ Pat. Lord help her to glorify you and the temple you have given her by treating it properly. Give her the strength to say yes to the right foods and no to the wrong foods. Thank you for keeping her body disease free and I pray that you keep her precious temple in perfect condition. Lord give her a yearning for exercise, help her to enjoy it and benefit from it as well. Lord you did it for me and although it is a process that takes discipline nothing and I mean nothing is impossible with you on our side. It’s in your Son’s Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Pat and Donna know that God loves you dearly even when you give into the flesh, hear the words of Jesus “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you and not as the world gives.” Jesus died for you individually, remember that he is with you always and will never fail. (Father I pray for Pat and Donna, may they look to you for help and may you give them the peace that passes over human understanding. Reminding them that you are with them always and love them dearly. In Jesus name and by his blood. Amen
Dear Heavenly Father first and foremost I thank you for the many blessings you give me every day that I am not worthy of yet you provide any way because of your grace. I pray that I am able to deny myself that extra 5 or 15 minutes of sleep Lord. I make time for everything and everyone else yet I sacrifice my time with you for a few more minutes in the morning because I stayed up too late the night before and I ask for your forgiveness right now. There are many other areas I need to work on mentioned above (weight, food, finances) but in my heart I know if I improve my relationship with you then those other areas will fall into place too. I love you and praise you in the matchless name of your son Jesus. Amen.
^^^I just want to echo and pray for you Pat, and as I reassure myself hopefully reassure you too, that so many of us struggle with this at some level. So yes, LORD, help us to remember that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” in YOUR image. And that is good. Amen.
Thanks Crystal for the encouragement I have been struggling with banishing inappropriate thoughts from my mind to, as the bible says “keep the marriage be pure.” I have also not been looking to God for help and have been relying on myself and doing what I want to do when I want to do it. My final two things are that I have been looking to the world for satisfaction that can be found in God alone and that I sometimes wish that my body would look like I think it should. (Father please give me the strength to focus on you, and to look to you alone for fulfillment. You alone must be my master because I can not serve two people. By your grace keep me that I may see how beautiful I am in your sight.
Lynndred, I just want to pray for you.
Lord, I just want to lift up Lynndred in prayer right now Lord. I ask you to help her in her thought life Lord. We all know that our thoughts can make or break us Lord. It’s such a powerful thing Lord. Just help her keep her thoughts on things of you Lord. Cleanse her mind of anything that is not of you Lord.
I pray that she will realize that you are the only one that can fulfill her completely Lord. Help her to go to you FIRST in whatever the circumstance. Just give her a blessed week this week Lord. In your name I pray. AMEN.
I have a prayer request if you all are still praying.
Please pray for my sister, Lisa. She’s been unemployed since this past Spring and has yet to find something. Just please pray she finds something soon.
Thanks and God bless!
My life is not what I “planned” for it to be and I need prayer to be completely released from negative emotions, thoughts, and disappointments because of it. I want to Live with a happy heart and mind. I have allowed my circumstances to take me to a very negative state of being….I WANT To Be FREE.
Dear Jesus, we come before you, believing in the power of prayer.
I prayr for my dear sisters abive, asking that you would hear the pleas, and grant them the desires of their heart. Nothing dear God is impossible with you you are ELOHIM creator God. U turn nothjng into something.May U show up strong for them this week in the area of need in Jesus name. In spite of their challenges God, may they continue to sing Your praises from their lips.
May your name be praised always
Amen
Having completed the #fatdemon demon challenge , was an awesome experience to share with others. Not only was this about food, but having that food consciousness also strengthen my walk with God this week. Chrystal, thank you for the opportunity. My prayer is that we will continue to stay strong as we stay on this journey. Festive season is at hand, and it is so easy to get caught up in it. The challenge would be to change old traditional meals over this period to more healthier options. Continue to pray for me on this journey.
Lovies me xxx
I’m a few days late in reading this post, but I have great need for prayer if there is anyone still reading this. My grandson was born at 23 weeks and spent 7 1/2 months in the hospital. He was finally discharched and came to live with me. What a joy to see my precious miracle every single day. But due to personality clashes and even destruction of my home, I had to ask them to leave yesterday. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life!!! My heart is broken and I don’t know how to deal with the feelings I’m having. I keep asking God how it got this bad! I know He works all things together for good, even this. Your prayers would be much appreciated and any feedback as well. God bless you!
Jenny –
I pray that God will give you comfort during this challenging time. May you continue to feel blessed by the arrival of your new grandson but have the courage to walk with the difficult but necessary decision that you made. I know God is there with you.
May you find peace and comfort,
Elizabeth
In this moment, I am feeling very blessed and grateful, despite some challenges. I would just ask for prayers to continuing focusing on the positive and possible. May God bless us all!
Elizabeth