Recently, I had the opportunity to read I’ll Start Again Monday by Lysa TerKeurst. If you’ve ever felt caught in a cycle of emotional eating, spiritual guilt, and broken promises to yourself, this book will feel like a conversation with a friend who truly gets it. Lysa speaks with vulnerability, wisdom, and humor, and she invites readers to examine not just their habits, but the heart behind them.
One question she asks stopped me in my tracks:
“Is it possible we love and rely on food more than we love and rely on God?”
That’s a hard question. Not because the answer is unclear, but because it hits so close to home.
When life feels overwhelming, where do I run first?
When I need comfort, what do I reach for?
When I feel joy, what do I use to celebrate?
Too often, if I’m honest, the answer has been food. A sweet treat to ease stress, a drive-thru dinner to avoid cooking after a long day, a snack to fill a void I can’t quite name. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying food—it’s a gift from God! But when food becomes a substitute for the comfort, peace, and security only God can provide, it becomes a spiritual issue.
Lysa’s words reminded me of Jesus’ own:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4
We’re not just physical beings with physical cravings. We’re spiritual souls who hunger for purpose, connection, and peace. Only God can satisfy those deeper needs. But too often, we treat food like a quick fix when we really need to be filled with the Word of God, time in His presence, and trust in His promises.
So now I’m asking myself:
- Am I using food to fill a spiritual hunger?
- Am I running to the pantry before I run to prayer?
- Am I trusting in calories to carry me through the day, or Christ?
This isn’t about shame. It’s about invitation. An invitation to re-center my cravings around Christ. An invitation to begin again—not just next Monday, but today—with a heart that seeks Him first.
I’m learning that self-control is not just a matter of willpower—it’s a fruit of the Spirit. And the more I stay connected to the Vine, the more naturally that fruit will grow.
If you’re on a similar journey, know that you’re not alone. God’s mercies are new every morning. Let’s start again today, not in our own strength, but in His.
Lord, teach us to crave You more than anything else. Let our first hunger be for Your presence, Your Word, and Your will. Amen.
Dawn Zauner 