Made to Crave: Personal Reflections, Chapter #1

Personal Reflections

1. If you could personify craving based on your experience of it, what form might it take? Would it be like the little orange monster or would it take a different shape? Describe what your craving looks like and how it behaves. If you could sit down and have a conversation with this imaginary craving, what do you think it might say to you? What questions would you want to ask it? How do you imagine it might respond?

My answer: I feel like my cravings are a sneak attack; I won’t even know I’m having a craving, or feeding one, until I’m half-way through. It’s like an old friend comes to visit, I do what I always do, and only realize later on that it was an enemy the whole time. It is always so enticing and comfortable-looking. I think it, what I often call The Beast, would promise me that it could make me feel better – no matter how I’m currently feeling. If I’m celebrating, happy, sad, angry, bored – it doesn’t matter- it will make me feel better. It says, “Nicole, give in to me, and the bad thing you feel will go away. Give in to me and I will make your happiness and celebration even greater! If you don’t use me, you will regret it. If you don’t eat that food, you’ll feel deprived – and you may never get another chance to eat that particular food. You can’t handle your issue any other way; I’m the only one who can help you.” I would ask it why it never keeps those promises – why I always feel worse eventually for giving in to the temptation. I would ask it why it chooses me, when I know other girls who do not have to deal with it. To both, it would probably tell me that I just misunderstand, that my disappointment or discouragement is my fault – whether I eat or not.

2. How do you respond to the idea that God made us to crave? Have you ever pursued a craving - a longing, passion, or desire - that made a positive contribution to your life? What do you think distinguishes that kind of craving from the craving that leads you to eat in unhealthy ways?

My answer: It makes a lot of sense to me that God made me to crave. (I’m choosing to answer with “me” and not “we” or “us”, because I usually take the easy route- making it less personal and more general or universal. Just one more way I’m trying to combat this whole issue. I learned to stick with “me” and “I” in Celebrate Recovery, so I’m going to keep at it.) Most of the disciplines in my life – as in, things I started and actually finished – were like a craving, something I couldn’t quit because of obstacles. Things that ended up being positive pursuits for me: education, theatre, friendships/relationships, crocheting, learning Spanish, traveling, Kevin, baking/cooking. These kinds of cravings are under my control, instead of the other way around. That’s what makes them healthy. I’m still able to prioritize them, even leave one behind, if need be. That isn’t the case with food.

3. If it's true that we are made to crave, how might it change the way you understand your cravings? Do you believe there could be any benefits to listening to your cravings rather than trying to silence them? If so, what might those benefits be? If not, why not?

My Answer: I guess my first thought would be that both God and Satan have influence over me, which means some of my cravings wouldn’t be good or beneficial to me. I’ve never really thought about “listening to my cravings” before; it is a really interesting idea. It is true that I try to silence them, or ignore them, as I think about it, with food. Listening to them instead would be like giving myself a chance to figure out if it is a good or bad craving. From there, I can assess why I might be having that craving. I am a very introspective person, so I can usually figure out what I’m feeling and why, and yet I “medicate” with food anyway. In some ways, this seems really hard because listening to my craving, figuring out why it’s happening, also means I could do something about it – other than eat. I am not good about making sure my needs are met. I never want to be selfish or self-centered. So I try to ignore my needs most of the time, which never does anyone any good in the long run. Listening to my current craving, naming it, figuring out where it’s coming from, and then doing something about it (again, other than eat) could be so helpful to me. I have read so many things about good responses: drink a glass of water, go on a walk, call a friend, listen to music – basically, distract yourself from the unbelievable longing for food long enough for it to subside. I don’t usually try these things. I either just eat, or ignore the craving altogether- which only lasts so long. It isn’t actually dealing with it. Telling myself that I am worth taking care of, that the need I’m currently having is worth meeting, that taking time to listen to my craving and do something positive about it sounds like a really good idea to me. But talking about it now is so much easier than doing it in the moment. Not only do I want to eat in really emotional moments, but eating is also habitual for me. I don’t even have to think about it, my body just does it. 

4. The Bible describes three ways Satan tries to lure us away from loving God: cravings, lust of the eyes, and boasting (1 John 2:15-16). Lysa explains how Satan used these tactics with both Eve and Jesus. Using the list below, think back over the last twenty-four hours or the last few days to see if you recognize how you may have been tempted in similar ways.

Cravings: meeting physical desires outside the will of God. In what ways were you tempted by desires for things such as food, alcohol, drugs, or sex?

My answer: Food. Definitely food. Over the last few days I have eaten every comfort food within my reach – to the point of feeling sickly full. My stomach will feel taut to the touch. I hate that feeling. But I’ve been stressed, dealing with a lot of stuff, so I tell myself it’s okay. And sometimes, I think it is okay to comfort myself with food. Maybe that’s wrong. Maybe I shouldn’t let myself do that until I’m at a point when I have much better control of my food issues. I don’t know. But I do know that I was tempted a lot and that I gave in each time. I would find something full of sugar, fat, or salt to keep the emotions at bay. This has gone way beyond eating to fuel my body. And once I’ve “ruined” my day, I just figure I might as well “start tomorrow” and eat what I want for the rest of the day. Lovely cycle. 

Lust of the eyes: meeting material desires outside the will of God. In what ways were you tempted by desires for material things - clothing, financial portfolio, appliance, vacation plans, cosmetics, home decor, electronics, etc.?

My Answer: I really want to get some cosmetic stuff. And I know it is perfectly find for me to get a curling iron, blow dryer, flat iron, and makeup. Kevin and I budget for these kinds of things – both as needs and wants. But, I have been focusing on them (okay, obsessing) over these things the last few days to try to keep my stress even further at bay when food doesn’t seem to get the job done thoroughly enough. Even when I had alone time with Kevin (which is a positive thing I crave), I found myself on my phone or computer looking up prices of these things. Good indicator that I’m trying to avoid/ignore/silence a craving.

Boasting: meeting needs for significance outside the will of God. In what ways were you tempted by your desires to prop up your significance  - perhaps by name dropping, exaggerating, feigning humility, or other virtues, doing something just because you knew it would be observed by others, etc.?

My Answer: I am total people-pleaser and love getting those stamps of approval. This often is coupled with feelings of intense obligation to others, which can foster resentment and anger. This has grown my codependency in major ways over the years. I can say that I have made great strides in this area over the last few years, but it still very tangible in my everyday life.

Of the three kinds of temptations, which is the most difficult for you to resist? Which is the easiest to resist? Why?

My Answer: Food is the most difficult for me to resist. I think that is because it meets an immediate need without hurting anyone else (at least that is what I tell myself in the moment). Everyone has to eat, so in my mind it won’t send up any red flags for anyone else. Though, I do tend to start hiding and sneaking food when I know I am giving in to a craving and don’t want to be talked out of it or judged by anyone – even if that is all in my head. Material things is easiest for me to resist because I have what I need; when I want something else, Kevin and I save up for it and I can have it. 

5. Jesus quotes the truth of Scripture to defeat temptation. Have you ever used Scripture in this way? What was the result?  How do you feel about the idea of using this approach to address your unhealthy eating patterns?

My Answer: The only experience I have with using Scripture in this way is when I have nightmares. My mom taught me, when I was very little, to repeat the following whenever I woke up from a bad dream and was very scared, “The blood of Jesus Christ washes over me, and Satan has no power here.” It wasn’t a direct quotation of Scripture, but it was calling on the power of Christ and the truths of the Bible. To this day, it never fails to protect me through the rest of the night. In some ways, I love the idea of quoting Scripture to combat unhealthy cravings and eating patterns, but in another way, I’m afraid it will work and that I will have to miss out on food. Isn’t that crazy? I love food so much. I love making food. Cooking and baking are some of my favorite pastimes. I’m good at it! Kevin loves it. It can be very therapeutic. And I have to eat – I have to cook for my household. That makes it so hard! This is one of my strongest arguments. Nonetheless, if I am serious about making permanent changes, I have to be willing to do anything, right? Especially when my gut tells me it is a good thing that will actually help me. Making my food issues, my health, about God instead of about me sounds so refreshing.

So tell me: How would you answer these questions? What thoughts are spurred by this? Do any of my answers resonate with you? Do you have any questions for me?

**All questions were quoted directly from the book: Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not Food by Lysa Terkeurst; the answers are my own.**