Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food

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Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food

4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 · rating details · 1,942 ratings · 236 reviews

According to bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst, craving isn't a bad thing, but we must realize God created us to crave so we'd ultimately desire more of Him in our lives. Many of us have misplaced that craving, overindulging in physical pleasures instead of lasting spiritual satisfaction. For a woman struggling with unhealthy eating habits, Made to Crave will equip her to:...more

Hardcover, 218 pages

Published January 22nd 2011 by Zondervan (first published December 2010)

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Jun 03, 2012 Kristin rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, non-fiction

There were a lot of things that I found problematic in this book, but the most important one is this: TerKeurst makes weight loss a spiritual journey in which the dieter grows closer to God by denying themselves (certain) foods. There is nothing wrong with turning to God in prayer for help in achieving a goal, nor is there anything wrong with denying oneself something for spiritual purposes--like fasting. But I think there is a danger in trying to put those two things together. Fasting isn't abo...more There were a lot of things that I found problematic in this book, but the most important one is this: TerKeurst makes weight loss a spiritual journey in which the dieter grows closer to God by denying themselves (certain) foods. There is nothing wrong with turning to God in prayer for help in achieving a goal, nor is there anything wrong with denying oneself something for spiritual purposes--like fasting. But I think there is a danger in trying to put those two things together. Fasting isn't about weight loss and failing on a diet doesn't mean the dieter lacks faith in God. And, of course, it completely ignores the fact that weight gain isn't only a function of emotional eating (which is the only mechanism for weight gain that TerKeurst acknowledges). People gain weight for lots of reasons and not all of them have to do with the number of calories eaten.

The book wasn't all bad. TerKeurst does a really good job of emphasizing that losing weight will not solve all the other problems in people's lives. If someone isn't happy right now, they need to work on that first (or at least at the same time). She has a nice conversational writing style that makes the book quick and easy to read, and she does a great job sharing her own personal struggles in a genuine and meaningful way. She also has many moments where she starts out saying something that is really helpful, but then she slides back into one of her more problematic themes.

Throughout the book, TerKeurst claims Satan tempts dieters to eat unhealthy foods. Since eating those foods isn't actually a sin, she ties it to her belief that weight loss is a spiritual journey, so Satan tempts you with Oreos to destroy the special relationship you'll develop with God if you keep losing weight. Towards the end of the book she actually talks briefly about the fact that junk food is made to be addictive, but then she went right back to tying one's desire to eat it with temptation from Satan. If Satan is playing a role here, it seems to me that role would be in the greed demonstrated by the companies who intentionally create food that is not only nutritionally void, but also incredibly unhealthy. And then they compound that by doing everything in their power to make sure customers actually become addicted to their products. Satan isn't tempting dieters (and others) to eat some McDonald's french fries; McDonald's is doing that with chemicals added to the product to give it an enticing aroma everyone can smell from inside their car as they are driving past.

Several reviewers have discussed their annoyance with her repeated referral to herself as a "Jesus Girl". There is a lot of high school cheerleader-esque vocabulary in this book, but I didn't find that nearly as bothersome as her frequent comparisons between weight-loss and sexual purity. Just like girls need to be extra vigilant to preserve their purity on prom night, dieters need to be extra vigilant around Oreos. Seriously. That is creepy on so many levels.

I also think she really misses out on the opportunity to point out that the best foods for health are those which God provides. Whole, natural, unprocessed foods are what will keep people healthy--not chemical junk food creations, heavily processed packaged foods, genetically modified foods, or antibiotic and hormone laden CAFO meats and dairy products.

But all of these other problems are minor in comparison with the first. Conflating weight loss success with one's relationship with God is extremely dangerous in light of the fact that well over 90% of people who lose weight gain in back within a few years. Other Christian writers who have tried this in the past have later recanted. It's too bad TerKeurst didn't learn from their example.(less)

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Sep 11, 2012 Emily Cook rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was an interesting and inspiring read, but discernment is essential. The underlying theology is one of glory, arguably at the expense of the cross.

Summary and
favorite quotes

It’s not the “how to” I’m missing.. it’s the “want to.”

Where do we get the want-to? We have to ask God for it. And He gives it.

‘I’m writing this book as an invitation to consider the
freedom found when we bring one of our most basic of needs—food—before the Lord
and allow him to guard us in this area.” 161

The author arg

...more

This was an interesting and inspiring read, but discernment is essential. The underlying theology is one of glory, arguably at the expense of the cross.

Summary and
favorite quotes

It’s not the “how to” I’m missing.. it’s the “want to.”

Where do we get the want-to? We have to ask God for it. And He gives it.

‘I’m writing this book as an invitation to consider the
freedom found when we bring one of our most basic of needs—food—before the Lord
and allow him to guard us in this area.” 161

The author argues, we are made to crave, made to seek
fulfillment and fullness. Yet, so often we gorge ourselves on things that do
not, CAN not meet this need. (Money, fame, relationships, and food.) It is only God Who can fill us.

The author asks, “Is
it possible we love and rely on food more than we love and rely on God?”

We use food like a drug, for escape and for comfort and
for a false sense of satisfaction.

But it disappoints, and when we try to meet those needs
in this way, we suffer the physical consequences.

It’s more than just “I want to lose weight,” it’s “I want
to be a good steward of my body,” AND “I want to love God above all things,
including food, including impulse gratification.”

The author reminds us, “Everything is permissible but
not everything is beneficial (1 Cor 10:23) She avoids legalistic diet
rules, but encourages us to prayerfully seek God’s will as we receive our daily
break.

“God, I recognize I am made for more than the vicious
cycle of being ruled by food. I need to
eat to live, not live to eat. So, I keep
asking for Your wisdom to now that to eat and Your indwelling power to walk
away from things that are not beneficial for me.”

Her cravings for food became signals for her to pray, to
seek God’s help in battling temptation, wisdom in knowing what is beneficial.

Isn’t it just like Satan to make us think we
have to have something to comfort us, fill us, satisfy us, only to be haunted
by the consequences of this comfort later? 110

My thoughts

I finish this book with mixed feelings. I am excited to
try to put into practice some of the things she suggests, in particular, using
times of craving as reminders to pray for God’s help. I do self-medicate with food, and I do turn to
food more than I turn to God to fill me in many ways. She is correct in calling
this sin. It is idolatry. (I repent! God
help my un-repentance!)

I agree that this battle (and every battle with our
sinful flesh) is impossible to win by our sheer willpower. It is not by our
efforts that we redirect our sinful cravings and learn to crave and love God
above all things. When we grow in love,
it is His work in our hearts that has given the growth.

She works hard to avoid legalistic diet rules, and I
believe she is successful in this. However, I think she has replaced rules with
another even more vague, even more dangerous indication of success: what she
calls “obedience.” She portrays this
battle, if fought well, to be one of victory (in His strength), and encourages
the reader to focus on obedience as the measure for one’s victory and success.

While I agree that the scale or adherence to specific
diet rules are not reliable indicators of holiness, I disagree with her
substitution, which can be summarized in this way: obedience to the inner
promptings of the Spirit.

She points to Revelation 2:7 “To him who overcomes, I
will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of
God.” And she states, “Isn’t it thrilling to see that overcoming is possible?
It is possible to be more than just one who deals with struggles well. This
verse says to the one who overcomes! In other words, it’s for those who find
absolute victory in an area where they once knew nothing but defeat.”

I strongly disagree with her in this area. Our God is not
merely a God who gives us examples to follow, Who empowers, helps, and rewards
our efforts.

He is a God who died for our sins on a bloody cross, and
this is why we have peace. The tree of life is given to all believers as a free
gift from God, and we overcome solely because we are joined by faith to Jesus
who has overcome sin and death for us.

Our peace with God is given to us freely through the
atoning sacrifice of Christ, period. We “overcome” by holding fast to Him in
faith, and trusting Him to complete the work in us that He has started.

I was disappointed in the theological confusion in this
book, which was otherwise a very interesting read. I intend to carry some of
her thoughts with me as I learn to prayerfully live and eat to the glory of
God.

(less)

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Mar 26, 2011 Danielle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book reads just like her blog. You can imagine yourself sitting down and chatting over a cup of coffee, which makes it very easy to listen to. There are a half dozen stand out statements that I would have liked to copied to my journal, but with the nature of audiobooks, it's said and then it's gone. And since I listen while I drive mostly, rewinding and copying it down isn't an option.

I would recommend this book, I liked it, but didn't love it. But being that it is in the VB Overdrive catal...more

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Dec 15, 2012 Carla Acheson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I stumbled on this book just two weeks into my new ‘healthy eating’ plan, and possibly because I felt an inner desire for some guidance over my weak-willed ways when it comes to food. It was a pure revelation to discover the popularity of this book within such a short period of its publication (Dec 2010.)

153 fairly good Amazon reviews later I was tempted to download and read it.

Like most healthy eating books I was expecting some sort of diet plan or ‘don’t eat this, eat that,’ guide, but this bo...more

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Nov 21, 2011 Adrienna rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nutrition-weight-loss, borrowed-book, inspirational, spiritual-nonfiction, virtuous-31-woman-book-club

I didn't take this book as a lose weight book since I read so many of those in the past; moreover, it was about her food addiction and craved it more than her relationship with God (which some did lose weight once they changed their mindset on how they viewed or thought about food).

What moved me when I first started reading/reviewing the book before church service, November 20, 2011, was the breakdown of cravings (which I also shared in my Facebook groups):
1 John 2:15-16--passage details three w...more

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Feb 21, 2011 Kristina added it

Six years ago my body looked a lot different than it does now and due to the birth of four children, I highly doubt it will ever return to the ‘college’ Kristina look. Weight and self-image is something that most women struggle with, both in the church and out of the church. We allow our moods and even our entire days to be highly influenced by whether or not we can fit into our proverbial skinny jeans. Then, we walk out of our houses only to find that our best friend can fit into their skinny j...more

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Feb 14, 2011 Mandy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-reviews, mandys-reads, read-in-2011

MY REVIEW:

Lysa Terkeurst is one of the most enjoyable authors to read and she does not disappoint in Made To Crave. Her way with words makes you feel like you are sitting down for comforting conversation with a dear friend and sister. And not only is this an enjoyable read, but also a challenging one that takes you to the heart of the matter.

Made To Crave is not a "how-to" book on healthy eating, but rather a book about satisfying your cravings the right way - with the only thing that will ever...more

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Feb 07, 2011 Sunflower rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-book-reviews, litfuse

I was excited to be able to participate in the "Made to Crave" blog tour,which is Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries, latest book/study/dvd series and as I read the book and view the dvd/study that came with it, what really intrigue me about this is that "Made to Crave", for me, could be, not only about dealing with eating and living healthy, but it struck me that this could pertain to any cravings that a woman goes through, at a given time in her life.

For many of us, it's about not just w...more I was excited to be able to participate in the "Made to Crave" blog tour,which is Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries, latest book/study/dvd series and as I read the book and view the dvd/study that came with it, what really intrigue me about this is that "Made to Crave", for me, could be, not only about dealing with eating and living healthy, but it struck me that this could pertain to any cravings that a woman goes through, at a given time in her life.

For many of us, it's about not just weight and poor eating habits that we have, but I took this a step further and realized that this can applied to any form of craving that we have in our lives, that are spiritual, emotional and also even physically unhealthy for us and "Made to Crave" could be applied, with a little adaption and insight, to fit these situations.

Maybe we find ourselves with filling our lives and homes with clutter or things that really don't add to our physical or emotional comfort, but have taken the place of filling in that empty void in our lives.

Reading, "Made to Crave" it had me thinking...if food isn't an issue, couldn't this apply to other situations that are non-dietary....like...I saw in "Made to Crave" other things as well...it could be blogging (yes, sometimes we can have an imbalance blogging habit that takes up more time than it should), or dealing with that "crave" or constant urge to need to use social media for some form of emotional validation.

This is a sometimes harsh, but needed awareness, because as Lysa shares that sometimes our body does crave things to deal with emotional needs.

One example that it had me thinking of is chocolate. Chocolate in moderation is a good thing, who can deny that, but over-eating of chocolate can lead to unhealthy weight gain and is a poor diet substitute for the nutrients that our body needs, but often women use chocolate as an "emotional filler"......the "emotional eaters" who eat when unhappy or depress and use food as a comfort mechanism.

It's easy for us to take things to the point that it becomes a higher priority than it should be in our lives and can cause us distraction or interrupt our lives more than it should.

If you struggle with "cravings", this is a book to look into and the dvd/book study makes a great study to go over with, with a small group of close friends to identify ways to live a healthier and more balance life.(less)

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Feb 05, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Title: MADE TO CRAVE
Author: Lysa Terkeurst
Publisher (and producer): Zondervan
December 2010
ISBN: DVD: 978-0-310-67154-1
Participant’s Guide: 978-0-310-67155-8
Book: 978-0-310-29326-2
Genre: Inspirational/Christian Living/women

Craving isn’t a bad thing—we were made to consume food, but food was never meant to consume us. And this two-book and DVD set is set to teach you one big word—one that you can go to www.lysaterkeurst.com and print it off and tape it to the refrigerator—and the word is Empower...more Title: MADE TO CRAVE
Author: Lysa Terkeurst
Publisher (and producer): Zondervan
December 2010
ISBN: DVD: 978-0-310-67154-1
Participant’s Guide: 978-0-310-67155-8
Book: 978-0-310-29326-2
Genre: Inspirational/Christian Living/women

Craving isn’t a bad thing—we were made to consume food, but food was never meant to consume us. And this two-book and DVD set is set to teach you one big word—one that you can go to www.lysaterkeurst.com and print it off and tape it to the refrigerator—and the word is Empowered. And Ms. Terkeurst will teach you how to break the diet chain. Ms. Terkeurst says right up front that she is not a nutrition expert and she has never craved a carrot stick. But nevertheless she has learned how to develop the spiritual empowerment to say no to comfort food and yes to God.

The DVD is a six-week study designed for either one or two hours a week (used as a group study). The participant’s guide includes questions for the participant to answer both individually and as a group. There are also study suggestions and questions for you to do on your own each day of the week, either a Bible reading, or reading the chapter of the main MADE TO CRAVE book.

Ms. Terkeurst is a real person, with real cravings, and she uses a conversational tone both in the book and in the DVD to teach us about both God and about breaking that link between us and food.

Used as a set, MADE TO CRAVE is an ideal small group study for women to break the chain of food. This is not the latest dieting plan, or how to count calories guide. This is a helpful companion to use alongside whatever healthy eating approach you choose (exercise, counting calories, or whatever)—a book and Bible study to help you find the “want to” in making healthy lifestyle changes.

MADE TO CRAVE will help you make lasting changes. Not so you’ll be skinny, but so you’ll feel peace with who you are as a whole. If you are looking to become Empowered and motivated to make a change, then MADE TO CRAVE will help you use your spiritual connection to help you.
Available individually as so: Book: $14.99. 220 pages. Participants Guide: $9.99. 160 pages. DVD $29.99. Approximately 145 minutes.

(less)

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Jan 22, 2011 Laurie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I decided to read this book after hearing Lysa TerKeurst on K-Love radio talking about her battle with weight and eating healthy. She stated that she discovered, she craved food more than God. That made me think - what other things have people placed first in their lives - things they crave more than relationship with God.
Although I don't necessarily have an issue with food, I read this book to aid me in my 21 Day "non" fast! I titled it "Made to Crave - 21 Days to Reloationship". I had decided...more

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Sep 14, 2011 Dana Rongione rated it 5 of 5 stars

Has food become more about frustration than fulfillment? The NY Times Bestselling release Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman’s desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. Author Lysa TerKeurst personally understands the battle that women face. In Made to Crave, she will help you:

*Break the cycle of “I’ll start again on Monday,” and feel good about yourself today.
*Stop agonizing over numbers on the scale and make peace with your body.
*Replace r...more Has food become more about frustration than fulfillment? The NY Times Bestselling release Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman’s desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. Author Lysa TerKeurst personally understands the battle that women face. In Made to Crave, she will help you:

*Break the cycle of “I’ll start again on Monday,” and feel good about yourself today.
*Stop agonizing over numbers on the scale and make peace with your body.
*Replace rationalization that leads to diet failure with wisdom that leads to victory.
*Reach your healthy goals and grow closer to God through the process.

This book is not a how-to manual or the latest, greatest dieting plan. Made to Crave is a helpful companion to use alongside whatever healthy eating approach you choose — a book and Bible study to help you find the “want to” in how to make healthy lifestyle changes.

I, like most women, have been down the road of dieting. Anytime the latest, greatest dieting plan comes along promising quick and easy results, I find myself sucked in. I find myself thinking, Maybe I'll succeed this time. Maybe this one will work where all the others have failed. Maybe this time I'll be able to stick with it. But the results are always the same. I deprive myself of my favorite things and work hard for a few weeks. When I don't see the results I expect, I quit, telling myself it's not worth the sacrifice.

When I first heard about Made to Crave. I thought it sounded like an interesting approach, so I signed up to receive Lysa's 21-day challenge via e-mail. After the first few devotions, I felt so different about my weight loss goals. I learned that my problem was more than carrying around a few extra pounds. I had a spiritual problem, and until I remedied that, committing to any physical health plan would be in vain. I discovered that I don't need to go on a diet; I need to go on a journey. A journey to a new, healthy me. A journey that offers freedom, not deprivation.

I ordered Lysa's book and read through it one chapter at a time, stopping to digest and meditate on what I'd read. Her message, while painful, struck home in my heart, and by God's grace, I've already been able to make significant changes in my health plan. Lysa's message is backed with Scripture, and for convenience sake, there is a guide with all the verses listed in the back of the book. Through this book, the Lord has opened my eyes to a new way to approach weight loss, a way in which I can finally find victory.

If you are overweight, out of shape, or simply suffer from a lack of discipline to do the things you know you should, I highly recommend this book. It has honestly changed my life, and I believe it can do the same for you!(less)

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Oct 13, 2011 Naomi Dathan rated it 4 of 5 stars

The premise of Made To Crave is simple: we crave, because we are supposed to crave. The Lord can satisfy our cravings, but unless we reach for him, again and again, we'll attempt to fill the void with other less desirable choices.

As a woman who has grappled with my weight for all of my adult life, this exposed a fatally wrong conviction I had: that because I crave, something inside me is broken and needs to be fixed.

The author, Lysa Terkeurst, writes in a chatty, girl-to-girl style, and supports...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Erika rated it 5 of 5 stars

"Making the connection between my daily disciplines with food and my desire to pursue holiness is crucial. Holiness just doesn't deal with my spiritual life; it very much deals with my physical life as well." (p. 169)

A MANDATORY read for any Christian woman struggling with her weight or an addition to eating. This book was the only read that has really called out to me. It depicts exactly my beliefs and vision of my weight problem. Instead of being condemning, it is purely relateable and provide...more

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Jan 07, 2012 Lynette Eason rated it 5 of 5 stars

Are you craving food more than God? This book is amazing, life changing and inspiring. As Lysa says, it's not a "how to" book on dieting, it's a "want to" book. Lysa tells her story of her battle with food. Not as an addiction or issues like anorexia or bulemia, but rather as food as her comfort, her reward for doing well, her pick me up when things go wrong. This type of mentality obviously will lead one down the road of unhealthy eating and weight gain. Instead, Lysa encourages you to turn to...more

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Apr 09, 2012 Mel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Made to Crave is a book that was written to the heart of women who are on the journey of weight loss. However, this is not your typical weight loss book. Mrs. TerKeurst writes realistically about the struggles we go through that may cause us to crave the wrong foods and develop unhealthy habits. The overall message is to develop a closer relationship to God, not the foods that we consume.

As you journey through this book, you do get the sense that the author has been exactly where you have or ar...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Clockstein Lockstein rated it 5 of 5 stars

Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst is an inspiring devotional for women trying to end their addiction to food. Terkeurst realized that she was really putting on too much weight and that she was using food for all of the wrong reasons; it was a comfort and reward, instead of simply fuel for life. She's tried other weight loss plans in the past, but ultimately, they have all failed, so she was determined to find a plan that would work for life, a way of truly changing the way she viewed food permanen...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have never thought of my battle with weight as something I needed to turn over to God but after reading this book it has all made sense to me. If I knew someone who was struggling with an alcohol addiction or drug addiction I would be able to point them to multiple Bible verses where God tells us that we can't fight the addiction in our own power but we can overcome the bondage of the addiction through the power that the Lord gives us. Food to me is just as strong of an addiction. I am so exci...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Hannah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: devotional

While Lysa primarily talks about food and weight, the meat of her book applies to anything one might crave. For instance, much of what she said about food I found to apply to my relationship with stories.

This book is written in a relateable, approachable way, and is full of Biblical truth to replace the lies that hold us in bondage. Lysa calls us to a much greater goal than feeling better about ourselves--closer walk with God. Not just eating right to reach a goal weight, but living in victory.

I...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Lisa Morrow rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: abandoned

After reading and following the "Thin Within" plan, which is a "grace-oriented approach to lasting weight loss," I could not even finish this book. The author decided to omit sugar and other particular foods from her diet. To me, this puts the focus on food even more. If you read Colossians 2:20-2:23, God's word tells us not to adhere to the world's laws of "Do not handle! Do not taste!" It's not the kind of foods that are sinful to eat. It's the overindulgence, the overeating. After reading thi...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME BOOK!! LOVED it! I have 14pgs of notes.
Some GREAT points made.
~God made us capable of craving so we'd have an unquenchable desire for HIM, and Him alone.
~I want you to give up the one thing you crave more than me. Then come follow me. (Matt 19:21)
~Life as a Christ foloower will always be a learning process of depending less on our own strength and more on God's power. Bible teaches us that this "testing of our faith develops perseverance which must finish its work so th...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Melony rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was what I had been needing for a very long time, in fact, I thought that Lysa has been reading my mail, spying on me and reading my blogs. She has been right where I have and she came out triumphant and discovered what I failed to do. I am forever grateful for her liberating message and they way she addressed the issue of food and the enslavement that can ensue.
I didn't want the book to end, but it was a wonderful tool to set me on the right path! Lysa has a wonderful way of sharing a...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Everybody knows "why" you need to eat healthy and exercise - because it's good for you. If you could stand to lose a few pounds, you've probably been told a hundred times that you "need to" lose weight, but what if you just don't "want to?" This was the problem Lysa TerKeurst faced for a long time before she found her "want to" which was being closer to God. Through this book, she described her own personal battle with food and how she was able to change her outlook on food and "diets" through B...more

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Jan 15, 2011 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thought this book was great and easy to relate to. I read through the entire book without doing the reflections at the end of the chapter, but I did read through the questions! I plan on now reading it over again while doing the reflections at the end, in a slower time. The book was great and really kept my interest through the whole thing. Lysa emphasizes how important it is to grow closer and more obedient to God and in turn we can reach our goals of not letting food control us! A great read...more

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May 16, 2012 Tami rated it 5 of 5 stars

Weight has been an issue for me my entire adult life. I was a 115 lb. little-bit-of-nothing when I graduated high school, but the number has crawled upward for 30 years. I've "tried" a few other weight-loss methods - but not seriously. The thought of giving Nutrisystem a shot has been festering in the back of my mind for ages, but always "when the kids leave home". Well, they left - nearly two years ago. I saw a commercial one afternoon and picked up the phone and ordered before I had time to ba...more Weight has been an issue for me my entire adult life. I was a 115 lb. little-bit-of-nothing when I graduated high school, but the number has crawled upward for 30 years. I've "tried" a few other weight-loss methods - but not seriously. The thought of giving Nutrisystem a shot has been festering in the back of my mind for ages, but always "when the kids leave home". Well, they left - nearly two years ago. I saw a commercial one afternoon and picked up the phone and ordered before I had time to back out. My incredibly supportive husband, who has never complained or nagged about my weight at any point, agreed to eat the evening meals along with me so that I wouldn't have to cook for him. He takes care of himself for breakfast and lunch.

My sister mentioned Lysa TerKeurst's book to me about six-weeks in, so I downloaded it to Nook and loved it! It gave me some much-needed insight into why I eat what I eat, and the reality of "will-power". There is a big difference between a woman who has a few extra pounds after childbirth or a touch of middle-age spread, and a woman who is a food addict. It is a proven fact (I saw it on TV, it must be so) that, when seen on an MRI, the brain of a food addict presented with food lights up similarly to the brain of a drug addict receiving a fix.

A person who views food in a healthy manner - as a necessity to sustain life - can not understand the cravings and irrational behavior of an emotional eater, just as I can not understand a smoker's need for a cigarette. But Lysa gets it. Her book is like having a best friend who says "I know! I do the same thing. Here's how I handled it." And she backs it up with scripture.

I'm not saying that reading Made to Crave has made this change easy, but it certainly has made it easier. This is not a book for the casual dieter or the latest fad to take off pounds for swim-suit season, but I recommend it - even offer it as a lifeline - to every woman who struggles with her weight, her attitude toward food and her self-esteem. Lysa showed me I am "made for more". (less)

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Mar 29, 2011 Christina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Thought-provoking, memorable, tear-jerking, poignant, heartbreaking - any of these words describe my thoughts and feelings as I read this book. This book caused me great pause, reflecting on my personal relationship with food and how I use it to inadequately "fill" my needs. I was in tears by the end, realizing how true her words are, even though our experiences are not identical. I did not do the questions the first time through, so my plan now is to return for a second read and take the time t...more

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Feb 04, 2012 Lisa Bauch rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lisa by: amazon.com

This book gave me a new perspective on how to approach food/diet/exercise. It has to be an adjustment of motivation and finding strength from Him, not from within myself. The author covered some really great topics like overindulgence and temptation. When I started reading the book, I didn't realize there were personal reflection questions at the end of each chapter so I'd like to re-read the book with this in mind and give myself time to work through those questions on paper and spend some time...more

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May 01, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

True confessions: 1. I didn't actually finish this book and 2. I wish I could grant it 3 1/2 stars. I don't think it quite a four star read yet three seems too harsh. I admire Lysa for tackling such a controversial and personal subject. Who among us doesn't have body image issues? And yet the principles set forth in "Made to Crave" extend far beyond what's on our plates and could apply to any lesser idol we turn to for satisfaction and worth. While I think Lysa occasionally drifts into overspiri...more

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Mar 25, 2011 Lindsey rated it 2 of 5 stars

While everyone is raving about this book I felt like it was cheesy and not really relevant to my need to lose 50 lbs for medical reasons. It was the "chick lit" equivalent of dieting God's way....

All that aside, I love most of everything Lysa publishes and Proverbs31 Ministries is one of my favorite outlets in the Christian Media arena; so this 2 star rating is a true reflection of this book and not of her or her ministry as a whole. I wish her the best, and I hear many people with positive reac...more

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May 03, 2013 Diona Dehaven mower rated it 3 of 5 stars

I believe we crave the carnal things before we crave God in many areas in our lives. I think replacing cravings with prayer is a blessing as well as spiritually healthy. I have to say, some choices of scripture to back her theory up were a stretch. I think she took a lot of "spiritual fruit" and meaning and gave them a temporal twist. I felt it watered down the true implications of scripture for a brownie temptation. I was able to glean some great ideas from her, just thought some of it was twis...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Sharon A. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

This book really hit me where I live at this particular time in my life. As a woman of faith, who struggles constantly with her weight, it was like Lysa was writing to me. I don't think I can even put into words how it has affected me. There were times I broke down in tears, because I was in the same place she came from. I have finished it, but I've already bought a Kindle edition, and I want to buy my own copy (I read a library book) so I can keep re-reading and highlighting the passages and ve...more

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About Lysa TerKeurst

Lysa TerKeurst is a New York Times bestselling author and speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has led thousands to make their walk with God an invigorating journey. For over 15 years, her message has enabled women to:

Make the Bible come alive whenever you read it.
Discover how to develop inner peace...more Lysa TerKeurst is a New York Times bestselling author and speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has led thousands to make their walk with God an invigorating journey. For over 15 years, her message has enabled women to:

Make the Bible come alive whenever you read it.
Discover how to develop inner peace and security in any situation.
Replace doubt, regret, and envy with truth, confidence, and praise.
Stop unhealthy cycles of striving and learn to love who you are.
Sense God responding to your prayers.
Lysa’s personal adventure of following God captured national media attention when she and her husband adopted two teenage boys from a war-torn orphanage in Liberia, Africa. They never imagined their decision would start a chain reaction within their community, which inspired other families to adopt over 45 children from the same orphanage! Lysa’s amazing story led to appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The 700 Club, USA Today newspaper, Woman’s Day magazine, and Focus on the Family radio.

Today, Lysa and her ministry team at Proverbs 31 encourage 500,000 women through their daily online devotional. In addition, she co-hosts a 1-minute inspirational radio program aired on more than 1,200 stations around the world. Lysa’s blog averages over 80,000 avid readers per month. Plus, she touches hearts through their monthly magazine, P31 Woman.

Lysa was a Gold Medallion finalist for her book, Leading Women to the Heart of God, and a People’s Choice Award finalist for, What Happens When Women Walk In Faith. In addition, her articles have been published in Focus on the Family magazine, Marriage Partnership, and Crown Financial Ministries’ Money Matters.

Each year, Lysa is a featured keynote presenter at more than 40 women’s events, banquets, and retreats across North America, including the Extraordinary Women conferences and Focus on the Family’s women’s conference, Renewing the Heart. In addition, she hosts the annual She Speaks Conference, which has helped thousands of women gain the tools to pursue God’s calling on their life.

In the midst of her busy schedule, Lysa is an everyday woman who simply seeks to glorify God through her life and family. She and her husband, Art, reside near Charlotte, North Carolina, with their five priority blessings named Jackson, Mark, Hope, Ashley, and Brooke.(less)

More about Lysa TerKeurst...

Books by Lysa TerKeurst

Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God: Experiencing Life in Extraordinary Ways

Craving God A 21-day Devotional Challenge to Accompany Made To Crave

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith: Trusting God Takes You to Amazing Places

More…

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Quotes from Made to Crave: Satisfy...

“I am writing this book as an invitation to consider the freedom found when we bring one of our most basic of needs-food-before the Lord and all Him to guide and guard us in this area.” — 3 people liked it

“It is good for God's people to be put in a place of longing so they feel a slight desperation. Only then can we be empty enough and open enough to discover the holiness we were made for. When we are stuffed full of other things and never allow ourselves to be in a place of longing, we don't recognize the deeper spiritual battle going on.” — 2 people liked it

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Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food

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