Addressing Eating Disorders from a Christian Perspective

When people hear the phrase “eating disorder,” they often imagine a young, frail, withdrawn girl who is nothing but skin and bones. They imagine models and teenage girls who are trying to get people to notice them or aiming to have a certain waist size. The truth is, eating disorders can bring a variety of physical and emotional struggles for people of all ages and can happen for a variety of reasons.

Eating disorders can happen due to a traumatic event or become a negative coping mechanism due to an underlying event or issue. In our society, eating disorders can also stem from social media, bullying, television, movies, and so much more. We must know who God says we are, have intentional conversations with our children, and try to focus on being God-confident rather than self-deprecating.

Eating disorders can happen to men, women, and children. They can be life-threatening without treatment. It is important to realize and know that eating disorders can happen to anyone; therefore, it is important to have basic knowledge of eating disorders and know how to love someone who is struggling with one.

People with eating disorders need support, not condemnation:

• The girl who looks in the mirror and calls herself fat needs more than someone yelling at her, saying, “Ugh! Stop being so annoying. If you think you are fat, I can’t imagine what you think I am.”
• The man who struggles with taking in an adequate number of calories because he was mocked, bullied, and picked last for dodgeball his entire childhood since he was overweight needs more than someone jokingly asking if he’s eating for two.
• The girl who is afraid to put on a swimsuit because she is afraid of being laughed at or ridiculed for her body type needs more than someone to say she’s being silly and dramatic.

People who think these thoughts often see a distorted version of themselves. They are not ridiculing your body; instead, they are constantly critiquing their own and wanting to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. It can vary from thinking their thighs are too thick, to feeling disgusted with their frame, to being insecure about the size of their arms.

Defining eating disorders

Here are short descriptions of several types of common eating disorders.

Binge eating disorder

When people eat large amounts of food in a short period. They feel guilty and out of control.

Bulimia nervosa

People often overeat and then compensate by purging what they take in. This might include vomiting, misusing laxatives, and over-exercising.

Anorexia nervosa

People often restrict the food they eat and are significantly underweight. They often have distorted views of their body and weight.

Reasons behind eating disorders

People with eating disorders do not want to have an eating disorder. It can happen to anyone.

Trauma can prime us to develop all kinds of maladaptive behaviors. Sometimes people resort to eating disorders to numb feelings or to feel in control of something based on what has happened to them, giving them a sense of urgency and need to control a part of their life. The person is often unaware of this subconscious desire to control something.

Body dysmorphia is severe dissatisfaction with one’s body. The person often believes that something about themselves is defective and disgusting, and becomes obsessive with their feelings about it. They often see distorted versions of the body part with which they feel disgusted. For example, a girl might think she has flabby arms and become obsessive about it, when in reality her arms are thin.

Emotional eating can set the foundation of an eating disorder when someone is trying to cope with an event and is having trouble managing emotions. Some people turn to overeating comfort foods to temporarily ease their inner turmoil.

This is why it is so important to see a Christian counselor when trying to cope with an event. There are healthy coping mechanisms that can help you deal with a traumatic event or loss. The thing to keep in mind is that if your way of coping with a trauma or loss is hurting you physically or emotionally and making you feel worse, there is something better for you!

Working out too much can also be an indicator that something needs to be adjusted with how you are dealing with or processing something. Your body is not your enemy. Eating is not bad. Sometimes people work out too much because they are overeating to deal with emotions or have a distorted view of their body and do not like the person they see.

Affirmations for eating disorders

If you are struggling with an eating disorder or know someone who is, please keep these affirmations in mind:

You are not broken

If you have spoken poorly about your physique, cried when you’ve looked in the mirror, or feel ashamed of the things you’ve turned to for comfort – know that you are not broken. You have been through hard things. You have felt hurt deeply in your soul. You have dealt with problems that only you may know about. Know that it is never too late to seek healing. It is not a weakness to ask for help.

The scale does not define your worth

If you have based your worth on the number on a scale or compared yourself to models, please repeat this aloud: “The scale does not define my worth.” You are beautiful. You are treasured by God. You are more than a number on a scale.

The number on a scale will not tell you what a treasured person you are. The number on a scale will not tell you how talented you are. The number on a scale will not tell you how kind and funny you are. The number on a scale will not tell you how much God loves you and how bright your future is.

Food is not your enemy

Everyone struggles with something. Instead of focusing on every inch of your body, focus on being healthy.

Focus on being emotionally healthy

Focus on your relationship with others. Focus on family. Focus on creating authentic friendships. Focus on cultivating a marriage in which you talk about your struggles and support one another.

Focus on being spiritually healthy

Attend church. Pray often. Spend time in God’s Word and bathe yourself in Scripture about who God says you are. Attend a Bible study. Find an accountability partner with whom you can be your authentic self.

Focus on being physically healthy

Stay active. Drink a lot of water. Keep your regular appointments. Focus on healthy choices more than the numbers on a scale.

Eating disorders can affect relationships, view of oneself, and hope for the future. If you are struggling with how you view your body or food, know that a professional counselor is ready to walk alongside you in your journey. You are more than a number and your future is more than what journey you have walked.

Your future is bright. Your relationships can be authentic. You do not have to hide who you are and what you struggle with. There is such freedom in accepting help and choosing God’s best for you. You are worth it!

Scriptures for fighting eating disorders

Draw strength from these scriptures when you need encouragement in your fight against eating disorders.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13. NIV

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:13-14, ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. – Acts 1:8, NIV

Christian counseling for eating disorders

If you are looking for customized help for your eating disorder, a compassionate Christian counselor can assist you. Your counselor will be sensitive to your needs and help you address problems at their roots. Reach out today to learn about our treatment plans for eating disorders.