perspective | Texting the Truth

I am convinced that in each person there are specific places that we all desire freedom but that sin keeps returning and it feels like it seems like we’ll never overcome.

I’ve struggled with “disordered eating” since my teens. Disordered eating is essentially having an unhealthy relationship with food, without a specific diagnosis such as bulimia. I have spent years feeling shame for which foods or how much food I’ve eaten.

There’s a quote in this week’s post by Desi: “I keep saying, ‘Here, Lord. Grow this because I certainly can’t do it on my own!’”: (Read the rest of this awesome post here!)

That’s an excellent prayer! And did you know that’s exactly what God wants to do in you??

Romans 12:2 NIV says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Until last year, I didn’t get that phrase. I understood but I had never experienced it.

I LOVE the New Life Version of Romans 12:2:
“Do not act like the sinful people of the world. Let God change your life. First of all, let Him give you a new mind. Then you will know what God wants you to do. And the things you do will be good and pleasing and perfect.”

Isn’t that amazing? I don’t give God enough credit. I complain that I don’t know what He wants from me. I become confused and ask God for clarity and yet I don’t work on thinking the way He thinks.

Let’s be clear: God can and does give us a new mind immediately that is complete in Christ. He doesn’t see our sinful habits when He looks at us. However, it is our responsibility to keep maintaining that mindset by reading His Word and squashing any thoughts and behaviors that don’t line up for the new person he wants us to be. It can be a slow process and you need to be in a teachable place. However, remember that God aches for you to live in freedom, especially in those places we feel so defeated.

After doing a book study about disordered eating I was able to develop a godly mindset about food and finally felt free in an area I deemed freedom to be impossible.

Mama, don’t let your mind be swept away by your gut reactions and your lack of energy. Take care of your body and mind so that you can serve and teach your children. May we humble enough to allow God to use our struggles whether it’s selfishness or frustration to lead us to the One who can give us a new mind.

? Virginia

P.S. If you struggle with food and body issues, I highly recommend Truly Fed by Gari Meachem (find it on Amazon here.)

Michelle

Can’t believe it’s already mid-May! I have missed texting with you while we took our short break from the blog.

Anna

Me too! It’s been strange not writing on the blog for the past couple of months. But I think it was good to have a break too.

Michelle

Yes, I agree. It was really good for me. It was such a good reminder that rest is so important and something I need to actually put into practice!!

Anna

Sometimes we don’t even know how much we need rest until we get it.?

Michelle

Yes, and although the last couple of months haven’t really been restful (#movingissomuchwork), I do feel like taking something off my plate for a while was good.

Anna

I know what you mean. I’ve been juggling a lot lately too, and I’m not even moving, like you! But the months of April and May seem crazy-busy with school and sports. It’s been games, concerts, carnivals, etc!

Michelle

I know – May is as crazy as December these days! That is why I think it was good for us to take some time off because we hadn’t really taken a break from the blog since it started almost three years ago!

Anna

Wow. Three years! I guess we were overdue.

Michelle

I know…and I think our personalities can tend to just keep going, or as Dory says, “just keep swimming” ? but I don’t know why it took us this long! We all need mental breaks here and there and I think because of it, we are stronger now.

Anna

In what way do you think?

Michelle

Hmm, well, at least for me I feel like I had some time and space to think and pray. And I feel like God helped me see some things we need to shift a bit.

Anna

Yes, it’s nice to get that breath of fresh air so you can think. What are you thinking as far as shifts?

Michelle

Well, first of all, I think all of us would say it was nice to not feel so tied to our phones to post on social media and all.

Anna

Oh yeah. That’s a good one! I hate being on my phone so much.

Michelle

I know, I’m really trying to grow in this personally. You know on the last post I wrote that I was giving up social media for Lent. It was really good for me to have that discipline to draw a line in the sand. And I realized I wasn’t actually giving up social media all together but the mindlessly scrolling part of it.

Anna

Yeah, I think it’s good to not necessarily chuck the whole thing out, but to look at what parts of it work for us, and what works against us. So are you thinking we won’t be posting as much on TtT social media as we were before?

Michelle

We’ll still post whenever we have a new text on the blog and a few other times in the week, but we won’t pop up on the newsfeed as often…which is honestly hard for me to let go of a bit but I think it’s also good for us to get back to why we started the blog in the first place.

Anna

I think that sounds perfect. We want to make sure we have time to write what’s on our hearts and hash out what’s really going on in our homes. So we’re going to be trying to do more of that on the actual blog, right?

Michelle

Yep. I feel like if there’s anything I’m learning, it’s that we want to be #realmoms giving #realgrace– to ourselves, our kids, and other mamas. The more ways we can do that, the better.

Anna

YES! For sure! That’s the heart of who we are and what we’re doing.???

Michelle

This was good to talk out! It’s so good to be back together. ❤️

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV)
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” (Psalm 46:10, NIV)
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, NIV)

Music to inspire you:

Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:

A Social Media Heart Check

Related Posts on Texting The Truth:

Living Out the Truth

Ideas to try:

Several of our blog team members have recently limited their social media use in one way or another. Consider taking some time to evaluate how and when you use social media. Ask God if there are any social media changes He’d like you to make.
If you haven’t already, subscribe to our weekly newsletter so you’ll receive updates about our latest posts directly to your email inbox. (Look for the “Stay Connected” box on the right hand side of the blog.)

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

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Desiring Freedom