One of the ways that many of us us are being attacked is in and through our body image/self-esteem. Especially for women, society is constantly shoving down your throat that your value and worth are based on your body type and your hip-to-waist ration, and unless your panty size is small enough or your bra size is big enoug
h, you aren’t desirable in any way. Whether you recognize it or not, those messages, and the degree that you buy into them, drastically impacts how you feel about yourself and the world. The primary means by which these negative views of our bodies manifests themselves is through eating disorders.
Many people believe that by drastically controlling and altering the way we consume food, they can somehow obtain the body and the results they so desperately desire. as was the case with porn and sexual sin, seeking to satisfy our desires in that way only leads to immense pain, anguish, and frustration. But, victory and release are available to you and the pain you are experiencing can be overcome (Philippians 4:13).
What is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder occurs when a person’s life revolves around weight and food.
- Some people eat too little. This is called restrictive eating.
- Some people eat too much at one time. This is called binge eating.
- Some people purge. They vomit, use laxatives, fast or excessively exercise to get rid of the food they eat.
- Some people exercise to excess (more than an hour a day). They are compulsive about exercise and feel significant distress if they are unable to exercise, even for one day.
For detailed information regarding each type of eating disorder, click on the links below:
Excerpt from “Life Inside the ‘Thin’ Cage” by Constance Rhodes:
“I’m Not Hurting Anyone…”
For many years there wasn’t much anyone could say to veer me away from my tried and true technique of chronic dieting. In my mind, gaining weight was simply not acceptable, and so the means by which I remained so incredibly thin seemed a small price to pay for my perceived success.
It wasn’t until the day I nearly passed out while trying to mow my tiny front lawn that I finally got frustrated with what I had become. I talk about this more in my book, but it was that event that finally got me mad, which was actually an important step toward getting help.
For some reason, it took me 12 years to realize that my eating habits had indeed been destructive to my body. Up to this point, I had convinced myself that I was not hurting anything, or anyone, but as I began to step back a little, I started to understand that there had been several “hidden costs” along the way.
Things like skipping social events, out of fear that I would eat something “off limits”. Or missing out on building friendships, as my obsession seemed to consume my time and cause others to keep their distance. As I started taking a closer look at my life, I saw hundreds of price tags, both small and great, that had been stacking up along the way.
And so I realized that there were actually some pretty compelling reasons to give up my unhealthy obsession with thinness.
If you think you might struggle in this area, please seek out the advice of someone you trust.
One of the best websites we have found that can provide you with the resources and strategies you need to overcome this struggle is findingbalance.com. This site is a trusted Christian resource that specializes in this area and is invaluable if you are looking for help.
Don’t ever hesitate to e-mail, call or come by our office so we can partner with you in finding freedom and liberation.