Book Review ~ I'll Start Again Monday by Lysa Terkeurst (Part 1)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title:   I'll Start Again Monday by Lysa Terkeurst (Part 1)

Series:  

Pages:  160

Date Published:  January 4, 2022

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson

 Blurb:

Have healthy eating plans left you feeling defeated? Based on her bestseller Made to Crave, Lysa TerKeurst offers a new perspective to all those stuck in the cycle of losing weight and then gaining it back, equipping you with the deeper spiritual and emotional motivation you need to make lasting changes.

So often we characterize our food cravings as bad, especially when dieting has made us feel even more disappointed and discouraged. But the reality is we were made to crave. We just need to realize God created us to crave more of Him instead of misplacing that craving by overindulging in physical pleasures and unhealthy choices that will never truly satisfy.

In the midst of her own personal struggle with this, New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst invites us to embrace a new outlook that leads to enduring change. In this newly revised and condensed version of Made to Crave, Lysa encourages you to:

Break the cycle of "I'll start again Monday" and start taking steps toward consistency that lasts
Stop agonizing over numbers on the scale and make peace with your body
Replace rationalizations that lead to failure with wisdom that leads to victory
Reach your healthy goals and grow closer to God through the process
This is not a "how-to" book. This is not the latest and greatest dieting plan. This is the necessary resource to use alongside whatever healthy lifestyle plan you choose that will help you find your "want to" and lead to a spiritual satisfaction that goes far beyond the physical. 

My Thoughts:

I've been reading this book as part of a month-long study with Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies.

We're a little over halfway through, so I thought I would break my review down into two parts as there is so much good stuff within the covers of this book!

One of the very first lessons we learned in this book is that "Everything is permissible--but not everything is beneficial" 1 Corinthians 10:23.  As someone who has struggled with "dieting" my whole life, this concept is life-changing.  So many times I've thought to myself "I'm not allowed to have sweets on this diet" and then felt deprived.  Changing my thought pattern to "yes, I could have that sweet but it wouldn't be beneficial to my end goals" is an amazing concept!

Another phrase the study leaders had us write on the inside cover of our books was "I AM MADE FOR MORE!"  I am made for more than thinking less of myself because of the way I look in the mirror or the number on the scale.  I am made for more than excuses and vicious cycles.

The last lesson I'll talk about here in Part 1 of this book review is that "Halfhearted efforts produce mediocre results."  I can't tell you the number of times I've 'started again Monday' only to make halfhearted efforts.  Everyday needs to be welcomed with an undivided heart.  

I'm loving this little book and this study!  I'm praying that this time will be different as I 'depend less on my own strength and more on God's power.'

Onto the second half of the study :)