"Here are five truths I want you to tuck into your heart, today, and carry with you.
1. You have a voice.
I know your eating disorder seems to be in control right now, and you can’t stop thinking about it — yet, the truth is: In one breath, you can surrender your eating disorder. It does not control you. You have a voice, and you can use it to stand up against anorexia in the name of Jesus. But until the issues which are driving this eating disorder are addressed — the longing to be seen and heard and held, the pain of being hurt by people who say they love you — E.D. will remain a deceptively safe place. A wall to hide behind.
Please know, it’s not what it seems. God sees you, he hears you, he is holding you. You are free through the power of Christ to declare victory over your eating disorder, right now.
2. You can be free of anorexia forever.
There is a lie circling the planet which tells us: Once mentally ill, always mentally ill — and I believed it for years. I relapsed because of it, and then one day I realized, no — the Bible declares us to be a new creation in Christ. It says the old has passed away, the new has come. It talks about being transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).
We no longer need subscribe to the rules of the world. Yes, we do have to be aware of our triggers and careful of temptations, as does everyone; we cannot be foolish, but we can also trust Isaiah 54:17 which says no weapon formed against us shall prosper. We can be free of our eating disorders — completely free — forever, because of the power of Jesus Christ at work within us.
3. You are more than your eating disorder.
You, friend, are not your eating disorder. I know you cling to it for protection, but your identity is being consumed, versus identified. Your E.D. has become your idol, and it’s only when you see it for what it is — a lie, from the enemy, who wants God’s sons and daughters to die — that you will be free to pursue the dreams God has for you. Eating disorders are a spiritual battle, and I believe Satan attacks young men and women who have been called by Jesus to move mountains with him. I believe you, friend, have been called to do something mighty in your life, and Satan is using this E.D. as a distraction so that you cannot step into the plans God has for you. You are more than your E.D. You are more than a conqueror in Jesus (Romans 8:37). Your identity is now defined and determined forever by your union with Christ.
4. You are not crazy.
I know you feel like you are. All of those voices, warring in your head, and you’re so tired of hearing them, you wish life could be over. Please don’t give up. You’re not going crazy. You’re just hungry — hungry for food, yes, but also hungry to know why you’re alive and what your purpose is. You long for spiritual worth and meaning. Those voices can be muted by one soft whisper — the whisper of a God who will fight for you if you let him. Call out to Jesus, and he will silence Satan’s control over your thoughts. Read Scripture, and remind yourself of the truth of who God says you are, as declared by Zephaniah 3:17 — you are delighted in, sung over, and quieted with his love.
5. The rest of your life is not determined by this moment.
Friend, I know it feels like this is it — like your life will be marred by this period of time spent battling anorexia — but it doesn’t have to be that way. When I was thirteen, doctors said I probably wouldn’t be able to have children due to the damage I’d done my body. When I turned 27, I was prayed over by a pastor that I would be able to conceive a son within the year, and I did. I now have two little boys and am pregnant with my third.
When you serve the Almighty Creator, nothing is impossible — he can give you the desires of your heart. But you need to surrender — you need to invite him in, to begin the healing, so that every single one of these days can be restored.
Your friend and sister — a former Anorexic, who now defines herself as a Victor in Christ, AMEN! "
May this bring you comfort in knowing that you are NEVER alone. Blessings!