Gods Redeeming Power from Eating Disorders

Published March 25, 2022 - Disordered Eating

I was recently looking through some old pictures and came across some of the few taken when I was in the height of my battle with anorexia and bulimia. Every time I see a photo from my teen years, I'm reminded of the redeeming power of God!

This first picture I was battling a silent battle with starvation, and I was exhausted all of the time, and had litter energy for life. In the midst of my storm, one of our family friends gave us a puppy from their litter, and he took to me right away. Little did I know at the time, but that little dog would bring me so much joy and hope when I needed it most. (Such a gift from God!)

This second photo was two years into my battle with anorexia, when I could no longer keep up with starving myself, and I resorted to purging. My weight was always fluctuating, as were my emotions and energy levels.

Despite my physical appearance, energy, and weight, the battle I was facing on the inside was the most profound of all. I was in a battle for my life, and it all took place in my mind.

After four years of brokenness, I remember asking God one day in a sobbing mess on my bed to show me how to break free in my mind, and I flung my Bible open to Romans 12:1-2, which says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I wasn’t sure how to apply this scripture at the time, but I knew it was God showing me the path to freedom.

As I studied this scripture out over the next few months it became clear.

1. If I wanted freedom I needed to submit my body to God, and lay it down as a sacrifice.

2. I had to stop confirming to the pattern of this world.

3. If I wanted to be transformed, it would start by renewing my mind.

The more I pursued Gods will and layer my life down, the more I stepped into freedom. I cut myself off from comparisons and things that drew my heart to this worlds standards, and pressed into renewing my mind.

Little by little, my desires, mindset, and image on the inside started to conform to Gods will for my life, and I desired health and healing.

This scripture is still one I apply to my life on different seasons, and it is still just as powerful! The battle truly does take place in our minds, and Gods truths are our key to freedom! He has laid the road map, we just have to choose to take it!

The last picture is a recent one of me, 26 weeks pregnant with our rainbow baby, healed on the outside, but most importantly, walking in freedom in my mind! Living a life of beauty from ashes, all thanks to Jesus!