Overcoming Eating DisordersSample

Maybe you’ve been repeating the same unhealthy cycle, wishing there were a way out, but not knowing where to find it. Or perhaps, just when you thought you had found your way to healing and freedom, something triggered you, and after all the work you had put in, you suddenly found yourself in the pain and anguish of relapsing. Either way, the emotional toll of battling an eating disorder might leave you feeling hopeless. 

But don’t give up. There’s hope. The pressure to make progress might start feeling like too much, triggering anxious and negative thoughts like “I’ll never beat this,” or “things will never change.” You’re not alone. You can’t expect perfection in the process. In fact, perfection is often the enemy of progress. 

Take a second right now to imagine yourself breaking free from the chains of perfection. Doesn’t that feel amazing? As of this moment, you have the permission and freedom to remove any expectation of perfection from this healing process. 

During this process of confronting your unhealthy relationship with food, you’ll try some new things, gain some wisdom, grow closer to your heavenly Father, and probably experience some troubles along the way. Making mistakes doesn’t mean you’re no longer healthy, redeemable, or capable. Our God is a God of infinite chances—while we’re still breathing, we get to try again. Accept His gift, and keep pressing forward with hope and grace in your heart.

Whenever you experience failures, doubts, or downfalls, remind yourself that God is still good. He is still with you. He is going before you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. His mercies are new every morning—every moment. When you start feeling overwhelmed by the road ahead, stop and focus on just the next step in front of you. Jesus said: 

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV

Focusing on the future can cause us to become overwhelmed by all of the work that it takes to stay healthy. But when we resist that temptation and only focus on this day and all of the opportunity it holds for us to do the will of God and honor Him with our choices, we can feel inspired and full of confidence that we are capable of winning this battle through Christ and His strength. 

We were never meant to be perfect. God created us to need Him and to depend on His grace, mercy, and unconditional love. However, our goal as followers of Christ is to be as Christlike as possible. We must strive to follow His footsteps and live in a way that honors Him. 

One of the best ways we can do that is by forgiving just as He forgives us—including forgiving ourselves. If your journey is met with opposition, failures, or disappointment, don’t allow yourself to spiral into negative thinking and repeated mistakes. Forgive yourself, fix your eyes on Jesus, and focus on this day alone. 

Pray: God, I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed. I’ve been feeling like a failure and focused on my shortcomings. Overwhelm me instead with Your great grace, mercy, and love. Redeem me, Father. I accept Your grace. Guide me and lead me as I follow You and focus on today alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.