Made to Crave: Book & Devotional

by Lysa TerKeurst

This is the Made to Crave book and devotional in one.

Genres: Nonfiction, Faith, Personal Development, Christian Living, Christian, Religion, Unfinished

404 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Lysa TerKeurst is President and Chief Visionary Officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries. She is also an 8x New York Times’ bestselling author of I Want to Trust You, but I Don't, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Uninvited and more. Her devotional Embraced won the ECPA book of the year for 2019. Lysa was also recently awarded the Champions of Faith Author Award and has appeared on the Today Show many times as one of the leading voices in the Christian community.

Each year, Lysa is a featured keynote presenter at events all across North America and online, including the Global Leadership Network. She also tours state-to-state regularly with TPR. She has a passion for equipping women to share their stories for God’s glory through Proverbs 31 Ministries’ annual She Speaks Conference and her writer training program called COMPEL Pro. Connect with Lysa on social media @lysaterkeurst or at lysaterkeurst.com.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a hard book to rate! I would give it an easy five stars for its originality, solid spiritual grounding, practicality, and applicability. Rather than being a diet book, Made to Crave sheds light on the barriers that keep us from doing what we know we need to do. It answers the question, "Why did I blow my diet AGAIN?!" In fact, the philosophy here points to the dynamics behind many behaviors that get out of control: drinking, shopping, etc.

I would offer only two stars for execution, however. My hang-up is that this book is profoundly unfunny despite trying really hard to yuk it up. The result is a series of "I just gotta have my chocolate, right ladies?" clichés. Combine those with endless "I'm so so holy but also too modest to directly talk about it" statements, and I wanted to stab myself.

In dumbing down a profound and meaningful message, it feels like this book targeted several demographics to which I only partly belong: People who would like to be more disciplined about their eating (me) and have NOT ONE CLUE what leads to weight loss (not me). People who are Christians (me) but have not heretofore thought critically about it (also not me). And finally, women (me) who hate fitness (not me) and live for wine and chocolate (OK, that's me).

In researching the author, I learned that she weathered several devastating life events in a row after writing this book. I would be interested to read her later works to see if she brings more gravitas to her other writings. In the meantime, I can’t recommend this book but I can’t not recommend it, either.

[Sandra Heinzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good personal development book if you're struggling with weight loss. I finished the book, but am still reading the 60 day devotional. I will be getting the video and watching that and RE-reading the book and using the study guide with it; it's that good!

[Melina Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! The correlation with going to food as a coping mechanism or for comfort to going to God when you feel this way is amazing. This book really helped me look at my problem with food in a different light. It really is all with having a closer relationship with God!

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Lysa. I think she is my soulmate sometimes. As always, I was nodding my head in agreement with so many things. I was laughing, and saying "OMG me too!" sooooo many times. But .... I just couldn't get totally on board with her on all things in this book. I don't believe in deprivation and misery to be healthy. I strongly believe in balance. I've been on the roller coaster ride of weight up's and down's for more than 20 years. At some point, I think some people just have to stop and say "Get me off this ride!" So I endulge in the occasional candy bar or a pint of Halo Top (yes, the whole thing!). I also exercise. I also accept that I have the body of a 44 year old woman, and I also accept that I am never EVER NEVER NEVER AGAIN am going to look like I did when I was 20. But, then again, I also don't look like I am 44 NOW. ;) Balance. That is what works for me.

[LovestoRead88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lysa Terkeurst and her ability to just pour her heart out and be so transparent. This book is no different. This book is a weigh management book but structured around the word of God. At first, I thought it was a little silly but it's really not. God wants to be our lives, not just a part of it. So why should weight loss be any different?

I enjoyed reading this book with the devotional with a group of ladies from my church. I think reading this book with someone else allows you to have accountability which we all need. My biggest takeaway from this book was that it encouraged me to pray more. And that is always a plus!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third time I have read this book. Each time I get just little bit more out of it.
I so appreciate Lysa’s constant message that it’s about God. That our cravings for food are actually cravings for God. She outlines ways we can have victory over emotional eating, but not in a typical way. This book is so encouraging to me, if you struggle with emotional eating I think this book is for you. Be prepared to read it a couple times as the journey to freedom can take a little time and a lot of grace.

[Becky Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Lysa TerKeurst and this book was no exception. Filled with her own honest, reliable struggles with food and the lies we tell ourselves, along with God's gracious and loving truth, this book was both challenging and encouraging. The 60 day devotional as well is a great way to stay encouraged in your healthy living journey.

[Cynthia Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just logged as was book for Sunday School. Not sure that was best setting. Class ended up focusing on how much weight was lost than basic points. Needless to say some of us felt left out. Maybe if I’d read more and lost weight I would have felt more included.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AMAZING! I'm actually listening to it now.....again! I play this book while I'm at the gym, and while I'm driving to the gym. It seriously gives me that extra boost of motivation that I need. This author is one of my favorites, so try one......she's awesome!

[Kenzie Stromatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gained so much perspective from this book, not only regarding self-discipline, but in seeing my circumstances through the eyes of the Lord. So much scripture tied to real life stories, continually showing that God can be our perfect portion of everything we need.

[Meg Hoffman]

Lol. This is why I generally don't read books by women for women.

The topic of self control and discipline are very interesting to me and I think a different author would have done a better job handling this topic.

I listened on audio and the tone was really patronizing and annoying.

[Ashley McQuirk McQuirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have tried to read this book several times, but I think I kept putting it off because of the conviction it held. I keep thinking about the many truths about God and food that she explains and confesses in this book.

[Rebecca Pappas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book! Very relatable and informative.

[Bice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I really had many Ah Hah moments reading this book. Very good take on weight loss and the Spiritual Life. Very down to earth Now I am off to put the Ah Hahs into practice.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Found this book not knowing much about the author. And really enjoyed her writing. Her Biblical knowledge and how she applied it to Life in general

[Deanna Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Christian woman struggling with her weight, this is the book for you.

[Sabrina Meyers]

Great leading on how to have control over your food rather than your food controlling you, and how to go deeper with Jesus.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars for the book, 5 stars for the devotional.

[Jody Jordan]

Very helpful to read about someone who has suffered with being overweight and tried all the fad diets to no avail.

[Jen (The Jenerator) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good. Had a hard time focusing at times, but that was probably a me issue.

[Kristi Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a self help book than a fun book. I liked the way she wrote and definitely good ideas for winning the battle over food. But- could have been about 4 chapters shorter than it is.

[Linda Nuzum · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent daily read. I read it not just for the initial 60 days but 120 days and plan to read again. Very inspiring and helpful to get going.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great companion to the studt

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great devotional! I loved working through this one.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[D Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Insight, not the same old same old