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Answered Prayers

The last couple of weeks I have been reading a book called Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst. It is about craving God, not craving food. It is really good. It has good points and is very true.


In the book, Lysa says, "I'm not on a diet. I'm on a journey with Jesus to learn the fine art of self-discipline for the purpose of holiness." (page 158)


Yesterday morning, I prayed to God that He would help to change how I look at myself. Because of this book, I have been realizing that I need to change how I view myself. My devotion for the day was this:


"So be content with who you are and don't put on airs. 
1 Peter 5:6 MSG


     Janette glanced around the gym, noticing the women around her. Several of them were chatting with friends as they ran on treadmills. They haven't even broken a sweat, Janette thought, and I'm drenched like I got caught in a rainstorm. A few other ladies came out of an aerobics class, and Janette realized with dismay that she was- one again- the biggest person in the room.
     I exercise and eat right, she grumbled to herself, but I'm still bigger than I want to be. Why can't I look like those celebrities on the cover of fashion magazines? Close to tears, she prayed, Lord, why did you make me this way?
     Later, Janette shared her thoughts with her mom, who could always lift her spirits. 'Janette, you are beautiful- on the inside and the out!' her mother said. 'I wouldn't want you to be a waif. God made you the way you are- strong and tall- for a reason.'
     After Janette hung up the phone, she hung her head. Lord, forgive me for comparing myself to others, she prayed. Help me to be content with who I am. 
     And then, she stood up, grabbed the latest issue of Celebrity Weekly and threw it in the trash.


Lord, forgive me when I get caught up in the world's idea of beauty. Help me to see myself as You see me- a beloved, beautiful daughter."
From Whispers of Wisdom for Young Women


Not twenty seconds after I prayed for God to help me to change how I think about myself, I read these words. I opened the devotion and there was God. It is so awesome how you can see Him at work, speaking to me right after I prayed. It was a pretty quickly answered prayer. 


God is amazing and Jesus is awesome! We serve a mighty, wonderful, all powerful God!


In God, Emily

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