Hey guys!
I have my Brother and Sister-In-Law over this weekend! We had an early Thanksgiving dinner last night and I made my own turkey! Brined it, baked it AND ate it ALL. Seriously, I’m proud of myself. Haha!
Anyway, because I should be mingling with the familia, I have to keep it short. BUT, I like to do my daily devotions from Proverbs31.org and here are 3 of them that have really stuck out to me recently. All of them have a “reflect and respond” at the end, so I am going to copy and paste it for each devotional here, with my answers. I hope this 1. holds me accountable to remember what these devotionals taught me as I read them 2. Lets you a little into my brain and explains why I loved the particular devotionals.
If you haven’t read Proverbs31.org, you MUST!
“When I Need Some Help”
Reflect and Respond:
What are your experiences like when you try to walk alone?
I fail. And I do it miserably. I find myself always telling myself that I can overcome my mental battles (read the about me if you don’t know what I’m talking about)… and that’s my first mistake -the word “I” without adding God to it. I need to remember that I need to allow God to come alongside me, because He is really the only one that can give me the strength to battle my food addiction. No matter what kind of tough stuff I think I am…well, I’m really not.
How do those experiences change (or how might they change) when you allow God to hold your hands as you walk?
I could actually be better? I mean, that sounds really dumb to type and realize that I could actually BE better if I listened to what I know I should do (let God walk alongside me.) It’s just easier said than done. But, if I take God’s hand, I know that I could live a much fuller, happier and even healthier life!
“What Does It Mean To Be Made New”
Reflect and Respond:
Over the centuries, our Creator has revealed the promise of His redemption through story, music, dance, art, drama, spoken word — He is endlessly creative.
Ask God to give you a new way to capture the profound truth of the Gospel, then look for an opportunity to share it this weekend with someone who needs to hear about Jesus.
Okay, so those aren’t really questions that I can respond too, but I really liked this devotional because it was just a good reminder to keep telling myself that I am not “old Taylor.” I am made new in the image of God. I think half of my battle is that I don’t know who “Taylor” would be without her food issues, since they’ve sort of just become my identity. I think if I could just say “YO TAYLOR, remember you AREN’T that girl at all anymore, you’re totally new and you’ll be just as great without your issues” and actually have it stick in my brain, winning the mental battle would be easier. I just need to keep reminding myself of being made new.
“Discovering Something Better Than Perfect”
Reflect and Respond:
If you struggle with perfection, what relationships have you damaged by holding tight to your belief about perfection?
Honest moment guys, I’ve damages my relationship with Mr. FFF. Don’t get me wrong – we have a VERY happy marriage and love each other ridiculous amounts, but I mean I’ve more damaged it in the sense that I just cant BE what I think Caleb deserves – a super positive wife, who can go out for a dinner date night on a whim…or really do anything involving food (which is A LOT of things!) on a whim. Obviously it causes tension between us when he wants to go for a nice dinner and I’m sitting there worrying about if I can eat anything on the menu and how it will affect how my body looks. I don’t want that for him. Or me. But mostly, for him.
And obvi, as we’ve discussed a lot here, it’s hurt my relationship with God. I mean, being obsessed with having the perfect body is a pretty vain and self-serving thing. It’s hard to focus on God as much as I know I should when my thoughts are so wrapped up in ME. As terrible as it sounds, I want to be honest. However, as I’ve explained here as well, things are getting A LOT better. It’s a battle…but at least it’s a battle that get’s easier every day!
What would letting go of those beliefs cost you? What would you gain?
I might have the most perfect ratio of muscle to fat. I might not have a visible 6 pack. I might not have a stupidly low body fat percentage.
But, I would have a full and happy life.
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hayley@healthyregardshayley says
Wow, thanks for being so honest with all of these, Taylor. The first one really resonates with me as well. I have some OCD tendencies, whenever I try to have “full control” of my life (which I’ll admit, happens frequently) or even just get away from a life centered around faith, well it ends badly. I am still at the point where control is SO much easier then faith and trusting Him but I am truly happier, healthier and more successful in the meaningful things when I let go of trying to do life alone.
Taylor Kiser says
I totally feel on control as I am a self-confessed “control freak.”
And, yes, you are SO right Hayley. It seems so much tougher and harder to let go of control, but when we actually succeed in letting go…well God’s magic can happen! Thank you for reading Hayley! xoxo
Barbara says
Thanks for this Taylor. I love what you said about being a new creation… God is molding us each and every day to be who he wants us to be. 🙂 Sometimes that’s tough, but it’s a beautiful thing too, when you can step back and notice the positive changes.
Taylor Kiser says
I SO AGREE. Nothing worth having is easy, which shows just how “worth it” it will be to really let God mold us, no matter how tough it gets! Thank you for reading Barbara! 🙂
Beth says
I appreciate your vulnerability friend!!! <3
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks lovely <3
Tori says
These are great devotionals Taylor! I have struggled with food for years and also find myself trying to learn how to trust God with it and let go. Thanks for being so bold in sharing your thoughts with us!
Taylor Kiser says
You are welcome! You should try Proverbs 31 if you need some good, easy-read devos girl! They’re my fav. Thank you so much for reading <3