Just a gal trying to make it through the day with a strong f8ith in God and a love for music. I write from the heart and I'm f8ithful to a fault... that's me f8ithgal!
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Emotional Triggers
I have found there are many factors that trigger my overeating, but none are larger than the emotional ones! I'm upset, I eat. I'm angry, I eat. I'm happy, I eat. I'm hurt, I eat. I eat and eat and eat some more. It's good that I recognize this, but that recognition isn't worth much unless I can overcome it. So, on this leg of my journey I am focused on addressing those factors as they occur and making a purposeful resolve not to reach for food during those times. I will pray, write, talk it out, read, encourage others, but I will not eat.
Emotional triggers have certainly hindered my progress this month. I have come to the realization that there will always be ups and downs, that's life. The enemy will always attempt to use these hills and valleys to sidetrack me and to cause my defeat, that's who he is and what he does. However, my daddy is The King, my Savior has made me more than a conqueror, and the Holy Spirit will guide my path if I allow Him.
Knowledge is indeed power. I am keyed in on the emotional triggers that cause my overeating. I am equipped and ready for this battle. I will climb the steep hills and weather the shallow valley's. I will do it without a dependance on food. This is one journey I will not allow the enemy's roadblocks to hinder my progress. Today is a new day and I chose freedom over the emotions that once bound me to eating. I'm excited and ready to do this!
~ Chelle, #f8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/22/14
Emotional triggers have certainly hindered my progress this month. I have come to the realization that there will always be ups and downs, that's life. The enemy will always attempt to use these hills and valleys to sidetrack me and to cause my defeat, that's who he is and what he does. However, my daddy is The King, my Savior has made me more than a conqueror, and the Holy Spirit will guide my path if I allow Him.
Knowledge is indeed power. I am keyed in on the emotional triggers that cause my overeating. I am equipped and ready for this battle. I will climb the steep hills and weather the shallow valley's. I will do it without a dependance on food. This is one journey I will not allow the enemy's roadblocks to hinder my progress. Today is a new day and I chose freedom over the emotions that once bound me to eating. I'm excited and ready to do this!
~ Chelle, #f8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/22/14
Friday, February 21, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Random Acts of Kindness
The "little" things you say and do can often leave a big smile on someones heart, but if you allow them they can also leave a smile on yours as well. This week's Made to Crave blog topic really resonated with me: "Lysa encourages us to 'fill our afternoons with His thoughts of love toward others' instead of wallowing in discouragement or frustration over our struggles. Do this and share how it does or does not help you."
I have been doing this for awhile without even giving much thought into the impact these acts were having on me. More specifically, I have been doing the random acts of kindness in general but what if I were to harness the feelings of discouragement and frustration of my days into these acts? Interesting concept and so I began...
At the end of each day, I always scroll and pray through my FB timeline, "Lord, who needs me today?" and then try to lift and encourage others. I did this as normal, but as my negative thoughts from the day tried to creep in I would replace them by reaching out to someone else. Even if it was just an, "I love you" or "I'm proud of you." I found the negative thoughts fading and a smile creeping in at the thought of making someone else smile and to know they were being thought of and cared about.
For every negative thought, there was an act of kindness. By the end of the evening, I felt a peace had fallen over me and filled those negative voids. This is an ongoing process. Unfortunately, the enemy knows our weaknesses and is constantly seeking to destroy us. There will always be negatives trying to seep in where they can, but I am armed to fight them. I have Scripture, my negative/positive journal, and the power of encouraging others behind me. I also have each of you in my corner and I am in yours. Let's continue to lift and spur each other on toward the finish line of our goals. We have God and we have each other, how can we lose?
~ Chelle, #f8ithfal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal - Like me on Facebook!
2/16/14
I have been doing this for awhile without even giving much thought into the impact these acts were having on me. More specifically, I have been doing the random acts of kindness in general but what if I were to harness the feelings of discouragement and frustration of my days into these acts? Interesting concept and so I began...
At the end of each day, I always scroll and pray through my FB timeline, "Lord, who needs me today?" and then try to lift and encourage others. I did this as normal, but as my negative thoughts from the day tried to creep in I would replace them by reaching out to someone else. Even if it was just an, "I love you" or "I'm proud of you." I found the negative thoughts fading and a smile creeping in at the thought of making someone else smile and to know they were being thought of and cared about.
For every negative thought, there was an act of kindness. By the end of the evening, I felt a peace had fallen over me and filled those negative voids. This is an ongoing process. Unfortunately, the enemy knows our weaknesses and is constantly seeking to destroy us. There will always be negatives trying to seep in where they can, but I am armed to fight them. I have Scripture, my negative/positive journal, and the power of encouraging others behind me. I also have each of you in my corner and I am in yours. Let's continue to lift and spur each other on toward the finish line of our goals. We have God and we have each other, how can we lose?
~ Chelle, #f8ithfal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal - Like me on Facebook!
2/16/14
Saturday, February 15, 2014
The Words You Speak and The Words You Accept
I sit hear in the quietness of our little home, Soundscapes playing lightly, with a mind full of thoughts. The headaches of been more frequent lately preventing me from writing so I have a million things jumbled into my head. Many can look at where I lived in Florida and compare it to where I am now and draw a world of conclusions. I've listened to some of those things over the last week and came to the conclusion it's all how you choose to see it. I don't have a dishwasher or a pool, yet I am happier than I have ever been. I haven't "downgraded," I have "upgraded." I don't see a "dump", I see a cozy little place filled with love. This is a temporary place as God moves us to the next leg of our journey and I am going to appreciate and be happy in it.
Be careful and mindful of the words you speak to others. Those words can sting and hurt or lift and encourage. Be even more careful of the words you accept into your life. They can bring you down or lift you up. Just a little something that was on my heart this morning. I pray I am a light and encouragement to you in a sometimes dark and cruel world. If I have ever wronged you with the words I have spoken I apologize. Words may not break your bones, but if you allow them they can break your spirit. Don't ever give anyone that power over you and if you have that power over someone else please use it with care. That's all for now (but I have lots more crammed into this head). I love you guys, have a great and blessed weekend!
~ Chelle Prell, # F8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/15/14
Be careful and mindful of the words you speak to others. Those words can sting and hurt or lift and encourage. Be even more careful of the words you accept into your life. They can bring you down or lift you up. Just a little something that was on my heart this morning. I pray I am a light and encouragement to you in a sometimes dark and cruel world. If I have ever wronged you with the words I have spoken I apologize. Words may not break your bones, but if you allow them they can break your spirit. Don't ever give anyone that power over you and if you have that power over someone else please use it with care. That's all for now (but I have lots more crammed into this head). I love you guys, have a great and blessed weekend!
~ Chelle Prell, # F8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/15/14
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
A Small Victory
I do believe I had a victory today. I eat the same thing for breakfast almost daily: a piece of biscotti, a yogurt, and coffee with just a little creamer. This morning, I found myself full after just the yogurt. Yes, it is a small step toward progress but a step in the right direction. We have to rejoice in the smallest of victories because they snowball into larger ones down the road. I just wanted to share that thought. What can you rejoice in? Nothing is too small when it is a step in the right direction!
~ Chelle, f8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/11/14
~ Chelle, f8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/11/14
Monday, February 10, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
# Peace
Peace can be defined as a state of tranquility or quiet. It was our Made to Crave Bible study word of the week and poses an interesting question, is it possible to make peace with the realities of our bodies? I'm not sure about you but before I began my the journey to the new old me, I don't know that I have ever been at peace with my body. In high school and into college, I felt I had too many curves. It seemed guys wanted a pretty thin thing on their arms and this girl looked like an hour glass. As I got older, the pounds began to mount and any positive image of myself seemed to deteriorate with each pound gained. No, there was not much "quiet" in my weight, on some level it has always screamed your not enough, or better perhaps yelled, you are too much!
Now I find myself on this journey to the old new me. I'm not at all happy with my weight, but I would I be happier if I was back to my high school size? I may feel that I look better, there may be a level of superficial happiness, but peace? What I am finding is that peace comes from deeper within. I have had to face and defeat those demons within me to achieve peace. Those demons that have convinced me I'm not good enough or pretty enough. Loving me isn't just all 226 pounds of the physical me, it's loving the me within. A state of tranquility can not truly happen until I have found peace within myself.
Am I completely there? No. Am I on my way? Absolutely! Most days I like who I see smiling back at me in the mirror. Sure, I have my "fat" days where I look in the mirror with a slight frown. On those days, I am conditioning myself to say, "the devil is a liar. You are beautiful in your own skin!" It's a process from the inside out. It's reminding myself not to believe the enemy's lies or even what a portion of society deems pretty. I have found as I make peace within I find myself making peace at the image staring back at me. I am beautiful and so are you!
~ Chelle Prell, #f8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/9/14
Now I find myself on this journey to the old new me. I'm not at all happy with my weight, but I would I be happier if I was back to my high school size? I may feel that I look better, there may be a level of superficial happiness, but peace? What I am finding is that peace comes from deeper within. I have had to face and defeat those demons within me to achieve peace. Those demons that have convinced me I'm not good enough or pretty enough. Loving me isn't just all 226 pounds of the physical me, it's loving the me within. A state of tranquility can not truly happen until I have found peace within myself.
Am I completely there? No. Am I on my way? Absolutely! Most days I like who I see smiling back at me in the mirror. Sure, I have my "fat" days where I look in the mirror with a slight frown. On those days, I am conditioning myself to say, "the devil is a liar. You are beautiful in your own skin!" It's a process from the inside out. It's reminding myself not to believe the enemy's lies or even what a portion of society deems pretty. I have found as I make peace within I find myself making peace at the image staring back at me. I am beautiful and so are you!
~ Chelle Prell, #f8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/9/14
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Reflections
I find myself listening to the rain once again and being reminded of my "The Rains of Life" post over the weekend. It's only Tuesday and I want to scream isn't it Friday yet!!!! The rains are pouring so hard right now my vision is blurred. I know the sun is coming, it has to be coming, but I just can't see it ahead. Is it the PMDD, depression, or lack of my medication? Perhaps a combination of each, they are intertwined in an inseparable kind of way after all. Now you might be thinking, who gets online and speaks of depression and medication to 107 people. Me of course. There are thousands of people going through the same thing and, sadly, they struggle alone believing it is not okay to talk about it. I don't believe God causes depression; however, I do believe He can allow it just as He allowed Job to endure so much. He can take my struggles and use them so that I can relate to others going through it or to even show others it's okay to sometimes not be okay. I know, I am rambling tonight. I just want you each to know you are not alone. Maybe it's depression, maybe it's something else but we are all going through something and we need each other to get to the other side. I'm here for you!
~ Chelle #f8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/4/14
~ Chelle #f8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/4/14
Sunday, February 2, 2014
#Determination
Determination, our Made to Crave word last week, is firmness of purpose; resoluteness. I've been contemplating that word and what it means to me on my journey. I am determined to get healthy, determined to write more, determined to be more positive, determined to stop the worry and leave it with God... determined, determined, determined, and (hear me sigh) determined. I have wanted to do those things so many times in the past, started, and then... well nothing. I just give in, quit, become sidetracked. There are always "reasons," but let's be real, they are just excuses to fail.
So why would I think this time is different? My resolve is solid and I have a system of accountability in place. I don't want to let myself down, you down, and more importantly God down. I am focused as never before and God is at the center of that focus. That's not to say I will not get discouraged, last week was huge in the discouragement department. There were days the enemy flooded me with negativity and I just wanted to quit. I got behind on my Bible study. I felt fat and as if I had lost ground. But guess what? The devil is a liar. I had not lost ground, the enemy just wanted me to think that way. His plan to make me quit was thwarted because I am determined to see this through.
I'm not perfect and that's okay because God knew that from the start. He knew every obstacle I would encounter and He has provided me with a Scripture to conquer each of them. If this was a smooth journey everyone would take it. If it was all sunshine there would be no moments of success to spur me on. I wouldn't need determination if it was a cake walk to the goal. The difficult days will not defeat me, they will give me a greater resolve to press on. Determination, God has instilled it deep within me for the journey He has set me on.
~ Chelle Prell,#F8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/2/14
So why would I think this time is different? My resolve is solid and I have a system of accountability in place. I don't want to let myself down, you down, and more importantly God down. I am focused as never before and God is at the center of that focus. That's not to say I will not get discouraged, last week was huge in the discouragement department. There were days the enemy flooded me with negativity and I just wanted to quit. I got behind on my Bible study. I felt fat and as if I had lost ground. But guess what? The devil is a liar. I had not lost ground, the enemy just wanted me to think that way. His plan to make me quit was thwarted because I am determined to see this through.
I'm not perfect and that's okay because God knew that from the start. He knew every obstacle I would encounter and He has provided me with a Scripture to conquer each of them. If this was a smooth journey everyone would take it. If it was all sunshine there would be no moments of success to spur me on. I wouldn't need determination if it was a cake walk to the goal. The difficult days will not defeat me, they will give me a greater resolve to press on. Determination, God has instilled it deep within me for the journey He has set me on.
~ Chelle Prell,#F8ithgal
https://www.facebook.com/f8ithgal
2/2/14
You ARE Beautiful!
My reward to myself for not giving up this week and believe me there were days when I just wanted to quit! I think everyone should own one of these cups. Not to be vain, but to remind yourself you ARE beautiful (men you ARE handsome) every day! In today's society beauty tends to be diluted with magazines and TV and a small population of thin people. You ARE beautiful just the way you are. You aren't defined by your size or what a magazine deems pretty, shine in your own skin!
~Chelle #f8ithgal
2/1/14
The Rains of Life
A soft quiet ran fell over the trailer top. It was soothing as I lay listening to each drop wisp against the tin. Out of nowhere the rain began to fall with vigor. It aggressively pelted the tin with a vengeance. Just as quickly, it subsided and that peaceful rain was tapping the tin again.
Listening to the rain cycle in and out this morning reminded me of life. The soft quiet rain was peaceful. A rain you could walk in with a smile knowing all is well with the world as God waters His beautiful creation. Perhaps skip with a song in your heart and joy in your countenance. All is well with you, in your life and each drop that taps lightly reminds you of the peace that has settled over you and your home.
Suddenly their is a shift in the atmosphere. Not a cloud in the sky to signal a change and the rain begins to pour. The thunder booms and lightening flashes. The rain pounds down at an angry pace. Life is hitting you hard in every direction. Overwhelmed your first reaction is to retreat, seek shelter within yourself. You are sure the winds of life are about to become a tornado ripping you from your roots, completely exposing every sensitive area of your life.
Just when you feel the rain is about to flood your life completely, it slows. It's soft and quiet again. You look around and see everything is refreshed and like new. The birds are singing. The grass seems greener. Flowers spring up from seemingly nowhere. The hard rains have washed a beautiful peace over everything it touched.
Wow. The rain mirrors life. We are living life happy, all is well, and then storms threaten to take our breath away, evaporate our peace. We cry out, perhaps out of anger or maybe pain. We want to quit at times, maybe we kick and scream at others. Yet when the storm passes we are stronger, refreshed, and God has blessed us with a testimony to share with others. Looking back, He sheltered us through the storm, never allowing enough to completely flood us. After the rains have settled, we can we see clearly. We are more focused, refreshed, and prepared for future storms to blow through. Ahhhh, the rains of life are never easy but very necessary for our growth!
~ Chelle Prell, f8ithgal
2/2/14
Listening to the rain cycle in and out this morning reminded me of life. The soft quiet rain was peaceful. A rain you could walk in with a smile knowing all is well with the world as God waters His beautiful creation. Perhaps skip with a song in your heart and joy in your countenance. All is well with you, in your life and each drop that taps lightly reminds you of the peace that has settled over you and your home.
Suddenly their is a shift in the atmosphere. Not a cloud in the sky to signal a change and the rain begins to pour. The thunder booms and lightening flashes. The rain pounds down at an angry pace. Life is hitting you hard in every direction. Overwhelmed your first reaction is to retreat, seek shelter within yourself. You are sure the winds of life are about to become a tornado ripping you from your roots, completely exposing every sensitive area of your life.
Just when you feel the rain is about to flood your life completely, it slows. It's soft and quiet again. You look around and see everything is refreshed and like new. The birds are singing. The grass seems greener. Flowers spring up from seemingly nowhere. The hard rains have washed a beautiful peace over everything it touched.
Wow. The rain mirrors life. We are living life happy, all is well, and then storms threaten to take our breath away, evaporate our peace. We cry out, perhaps out of anger or maybe pain. We want to quit at times, maybe we kick and scream at others. Yet when the storm passes we are stronger, refreshed, and God has blessed us with a testimony to share with others. Looking back, He sheltered us through the storm, never allowing enough to completely flood us. After the rains have settled, we can we see clearly. We are more focused, refreshed, and prepared for future storms to blow through. Ahhhh, the rains of life are never easy but very necessary for our growth!
~ Chelle Prell, f8ithgal
2/2/14
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