Cravings: Healthy / Unhealthy


How do we live in a way that doesn’t keep getting us into trouble? How about cravings? Are they healthy and wise, or destructive and harmful? In most of our lives, cravings are a mixture of both (for me anyway that is).

Galatians 5:16 (NLT) “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

Easier said than done, right?? Well, not really. However, it does take practice. What is hard about it is that we still and always WILL have cravings! We have every day, normal, routine cravings that we seem to have to fight every day all day long (or am I alone?!). Then we have those once in a while cravings. Or something that jumps up out of thin air that we never even thought of before! Right?!



According to God’s word, and my own practice, the only way to conquer our cravings (in any and all areas) is to pray. Yup, pray. Not just any prayer mind you, but a prayer with power and faith. First thing, you have to be willing to invite the Holy Spirit to “guide” you. Then you have to be willing to listen LOL Seems simple enough, however, we as humans seem to struggle with this over and over ALL day long! Next, before anything else – you have to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

When I pray for the full armor of God to be on me, I start at the top of my head, and visualize each piece being put on. I am visual, and this helps to go all the way down my body LOL It is not in the order that is in the bible, but it is what helps me remember each piece ;-)

 My prayer goes a little something like this:
     Good morning Father. Thank You for the sleep You blessed me with. I come to You in the powerful name of Jesus and ask that You allow me to listen to the Holy Spirit as He guides me today. Open my heart and mind to Your will Father and not my own. I ask that the Holy Spirit help me put on Your full armor for today. I pray that between this armor and the Holy Spirit, I will be able to resist the enemy in all he tries to throw my way. 
     Thank You Father for the helmet of salvation that will protect my mind and thoughts today. (I actually do the motions of putting on the helmet, securing it under my chin, making sure it’s on good head wobble and all!) Thank You Lord for making the breastplate of righteousness (I do the motions of putting on this big sturdy piece, buckling it behind my back then thumping it where it is good and solid) so strong to protect my heart and emotions. Father, the shield of faith seems to be used constantly as I lift it to ward off the flaming arrows the enemy sends my way (I hold up my arm as I place this shield up on it). Thank You for giving my arms strength to hold this up. When I don’t have the strength, Father thank You that You allow the Holy Spirit to hold my arms up and or hold His own shield over me when I am weak. Thank You for the sword of the spirit, (I do the long dramatic pulling out of a sword from my hip like a Three Musketeer) which to me is the direct power of the Holy Spirit. I can hold up, swing, and use this sword at any time as needed. The sword of the spirit is the very words You give, Father, thank You for allowing my brain to remember verses, even if I don’t know their ‘address’, but that I do have several in my head. Father I put on the belt of truth (as I buckle a belt on and cinch it tight). Help me to be truthful in all I say and do today. (then bending over like putting on and tying shoes) Father, I ask that you help guide my feet with the gospel of readiness. That I will be ready to go and do what is needed when it is needed. Father, help me to stay alert and pray to the Holy Spirit at all times in all things. Thank You Lord, in Jesus’ name, amen. (this takes 3 minutes tops)

Once you memorize the different pieces of armor, and you go through the motions of putting them on, this will go rather quickly. The GREAT and AWESOME thing: even if you are running short on time, and you just do a Cinderella Dress Moment (where the dress comes swirling around and poof! It’s on!), the Lord will honor you having the full armor on ;-)

I am praying for you today. That as craving come, you will hold them up to the Holy Spirit and ask for His help and guidance. That you will be able to stop, put down, or run away from anything that is unwise to cave in to. I pray that your sinful craving will be replaced with righteous cravings.  Cravings for God’s will and way. I pray that you crave the best craving of all: to get to know Jesus more and more. Personally. Intimately. Inside and out! Have a wonderful day! Now, put on the armor and get out there!! :-) 

Thought I'd share my drawing I made, gosh - back in 1995 I think LOL This is what I have saved in my phone (just in case I forget what the pieces of armor are lol) and it is on our frig, so we see it every morning.



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