Hot Topics: Eating Disorders

Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

Genesis 1:29 (ESV)

You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.”

1 Corinthians 6:13 (NIV)*

I know a top fashion model (of faith) who got anorexic and almost died. I've known other talented performers who lived the extremes of bulimia... and still more (like me)** who grew super-sized.

Consider 2 things we have in common:

  1. Our relationships with food got twisted. They turned into our everyday leaders, as Satan used a fork to strike our souls.

  2. We weren't able to see ourselves clearly. Sneak peeks at mirrors whispered lies to us. They demeaned us and said we were ugly.

If either condition sounds familiar, consider some positive action steps:

  • Reaffirm frequently and verbally the sovereignty of your One Boss, ‘He Who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords’ (1 Timothy 6:15). Repeat after me: “Jesus is my one and only Master. Neither food nor cravings are my bosses. Jesus set me free. Jesus, keep me free!”

  • Face and confess your bad hookups with food. ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:9). NOTE: Not simply the wrong things we choose to do, but also the lies of the enemy! God will tear down prison walls, if we ask.

  • Ask God's help to break eating disorders. ‘For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery’ (Galatians 5:1). ‘If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed’ (John 8:36). ‘Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed’ (Jeremiah 17:14).

  • Search out Bible Verses regarding food. ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst’ (John 6:35); ‘My food is to do the will of Him Who sent me and to accomplish His work’ (John 4:34). ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’ (Matthew 4:4).***

  • Find a support group of godly people. ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow’ (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Maybe they’re Christians or kind counselors. Maybe they’ve had problems with food themselves– or simply have wisdom and gentleness. 

  • Avoid tempting foods or circumstances. ‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil’ (Matthew 6:13). ‘So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs’ (2 Corinthians 2:11). Plan your meals and don’t be caught by hunger (without healthy foods you like to fill it).

  • Every time you eat, ask God to join you:) ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me’ (Revelation 3:20). ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him’ (John 14:23).

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

If I can kick Satan from my table (see the starred paragraph below)... ANYBODY can, with God’s assistance! If you (or someone you know) “fights” with food, as an overwhelming love-hate partner, please consider sharing this devotion.

Food has its place, but NOT as a master.

Hot Topics: Eating Disorders (Part 21)

* Barnes Notes on the Bible re: today’s 1st key verse: ‘But God shall destroy - This is the reply of Paul to the argument. This reply is, that as both are so soon to be destroyed, they were unworthy of the care which was bestowed on them, and that attention should be directed to better things.’

** I was a fat kid, who ballooned to 290 pounds by the time I was 16– and 360 pounds at the age of 36. In that seemingly “hopeless” position, I was inspired and rescued by God (which is a whole different story.) I lost 220 pounds between the ages of 36 and 38, and have kept them off for over 3 decades: NOT because I’m “super” disciplined, but because I serve and trust a SUPER God! (I was born in 1955.)

*** What Does the Bible Say About Food?

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re all called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re all called to be models of Jesus. We all have gifts, talents, and a commission to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend DAILY BIBLE READING.

WARNING: Don’t focus on your favorite verses, because taken out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban