ENCOURAGED IN HEART

My weekly weigh-in revealed a 5 ounce gain. This one surprised me as I had an active exercise week and my Ms. Pac-Man-esque snacking was rather mild. I’m pressing on…with God, I will get to my goal!

Many wiser than me have advised that when I feel like I’m about to start chomping away like Ms. Pac-Man, I need to stop and turn “it” over to God.  I have literally found myself, circling my forest-green kitchen island, in search of a snack…to chomp, chomp, chomp away like Ms. Pac-Man. (Unlike me, that gal hasn’t put on an ounce since the 80′s!)

When I sense my chompers are reving up and my body is drone-like, circling and bumping into the kitchen corners, the Holy Spirit is helping me realize it’s normally not a physical hunger but rather an emotional and spiritual hunger.

Most times, when my chompers are ignited in motion it is because I have not asked myself “why” I am looking for food.  Many times I have found that the root of the “why” is because I failed to identify with my emotions.  Hence, my emotional eating.

For example, “I’m angry because my friend said this….”  or “I’m scared because this is out of my control…” or “I’m mad because I didn’t say this…or because I did say this….” or “I’m afraid to let my friend down…” Those are the moments, I need God, not food!

God spoke a nugget into me as I read Having A Mary Spirit. I wanted to share with you the most practical description of what being led by the Spirit (as opposed to me!) looks like:

Being Led

How do we cooperate with the wooing and leading of the Holy Spirit? The following is by no means a comprehensive list, but here are some ways I’ve experienced the Spirit’s leading.
(I wish I was quicker to recognize His guidance and followed it more regularly!)

1. Tune your heart to His voice. God’s Spirit speaks in a still, small voice rarely audible to the human ear (at least not out mine!). But as we quiet our hearts, He often uses impressions or our own thoughts to direct us. The more we practice listening for Him, the more we’re likely to recognize His leading.

2. Mind the checks. This Quaker phrase means that when we fell a strong doubt whether a particular course is right, we should simply wait and do nothing. Direction from God will strengthen with the passing of time. If the course of action is not from Him, in a few days or weeks it will fade or disappear entirely.

3. Test the message. We must check any inner direction we receive against Scripture. If it aligns, then the advice of godly friends, providential circumstances, and what Catherine Marshall calls “sanctified common sense” can also be helpful.

4. Watch for repetition. God often sends me confirmations that I’ve heard His voice through sermons, other people, or miraculous provision. Themes will be repeated because, as my friend Marla says, “God is like your mom. If you don’t listen the first time, He repeats Himself!”

5. Take the next step. Though God often gives direction, I’ve found He almost never lays out a road map for the future. He intends this life to be a walk of faith. So as we obey one step at a time, the next step will come into view. As we practice obedience, the voice of the Spirit becomes clearer, His instructions more definite.

6. Beware the Spirit’s withdrawal. Our disobedience grieves and hinders the Holy Spirit’s work. If He is insistent that you obey in some area, do it – or you’ll feel a lack of the Spirit’s presence. As Oswald Chambers says, “God will never reveal more truth…until you obey what you know already. ”

7. Ask for and expect wisdom. Do not rule out God’s help with the small details of life. If we don’t allow God to direct our everyday lives, we may not be able to follow Him when crises come. When you ask, believe the Spirit will lead you into all truth. Look for the answer in faith. God is eager to help us!

Teach me to do you will for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10
(New International Version)

(From Having a Mary Spirit. Copyright 2006 by Joanna Weaver. Used by permission of WaterBrook Press, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.)

Are you like me, tired of being a drone-like Ms. Pac-Man emotional eater? Do you need help?  All you have to do is ask Him for help! No matter whether physical, emotional or spiritual, I trust God will meet your needs.  He promises this, and He won’t let you down!

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (New International Version)

Ask God for help, print off this list and refer back to it for help! God WILL see us through!