This story is true. All names have been changed for protection of those involved.
Hi, my name is Sarah.
Recently I watched a television programme of a teenage girl suffering from Anorexia Nervosa. Titled "My Daughter Won't Eat", this film portrayed a sad picture of the seriousness and complexity of the illness.
As I continued to watch, feelings of anger and grief hit me as I remembered my own struggle with the illness and the constant battle it took to get free.
Anorexia is driven by a paralysing fear of losing control and being powerless. Often sufferers have experienced some kind of trauma in their lives. Unable to show healthy emotion, those with anorexia or any other addiction will hide behind their illness as a way of coping. An innocent desire to lose weight soon becomes an overwhelming rebellious force that robs the sufferer of the ability to discern truth. Believing they are worthless and deserving of death an anorexic sufferer will use food as a secret agent to manipulate and protest against a family system they reject. Media and social pressures also play a part strengthening the false belief that you can live independently from God and others. Losing weight soon becomes a seductive idol, demanding undivided obedience and false sacrifice. It is a slow form of suicide.
After 10 years of believing lies about myself and deceiving others, I finally came to a place of accepting help and being honest and accountable with those whom I knew loved me unconditionally. From a Christian perspective, I found repentance and forgiveness vital to my recovery, but most important for me was the believing in the truth of God's Word and aggressively applying it to my daily thought life. The hardest part was giving up my anorexic identity and putting on a new identity as a child of God. But in doing this I found a freedom and security I had never felt before.
So you are anorexic! Is there hope?
Yes - God is able to help you if you honestly desire to get well. He wants you to be free from the chains that hold you in bondage to fear, torment and death, but he will not violate your free will. He loves you unconditionally and longs to bless you with satisfying and meaningful life.
I challenge you today to take that first step of faith and reach out for help. I know you will not be disappointed.
Hi, my name is Sarah.
Recently I watched a television programme of a teenage girl suffering from Anorexia Nervosa. Titled "My Daughter Won't Eat", this film portrayed a sad picture of the seriousness and complexity of the illness.
As I continued to watch, feelings of anger and grief hit me as I remembered my own struggle with the illness and the constant battle it took to get free.
Anorexia is driven by a paralysing fear of losing control and being powerless. Often sufferers have experienced some kind of trauma in their lives. Unable to show healthy emotion, those with anorexia or any other addiction will hide behind their illness as a way of coping. An innocent desire to lose weight soon becomes an overwhelming rebellious force that robs the sufferer of the ability to discern truth. Believing they are worthless and deserving of death an anorexic sufferer will use food as a secret agent to manipulate and protest against a family system they reject. Media and social pressures also play a part strengthening the false belief that you can live independently from God and others. Losing weight soon becomes a seductive idol, demanding undivided obedience and false sacrifice. It is a slow form of suicide.
After 10 years of believing lies about myself and deceiving others, I finally came to a place of accepting help and being honest and accountable with those whom I knew loved me unconditionally. From a Christian perspective, I found repentance and forgiveness vital to my recovery, but most important for me was the believing in the truth of God's Word and aggressively applying it to my daily thought life. The hardest part was giving up my anorexic identity and putting on a new identity as a child of God. But in doing this I found a freedom and security I had never felt before.
So you are anorexic! Is there hope?
Yes - God is able to help you if you honestly desire to get well. He wants you to be free from the chains that hold you in bondage to fear, torment and death, but he will not violate your free will. He loves you unconditionally and longs to bless you with satisfying and meaningful life.
I challenge you today to take that first step of faith and reach out for help. I know you will not be disappointed.
