NEDA Week and the Call of the Gospel
For those of you who don’t know, February 26-March 4 is NEDA week. NEDA week is about raising awareness for different types of eating disorders and encouraging recovery. It’s about ending the stigma and shame associated with this branch of mental illness.
It’s about saving the lives of women and young girls, who die physically and spiritually from this disease every year.
NEDA Meets Jesus
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, then you may know that I have struggled with an eating disorder.
Mine was not the type that anyone noticed. I did not stop eating or puke, and I have always been naturally thin. However, due to a mix of low self-esteem, anxiety, and health issues affecting my digestive system, I had a very negative view of eating.
Two years ago I made the life-changing choice of recovery. I knew that I couldn’t serve both God and an eating disorder, so with the help of the Lord, online support groups, and a close friend, I started getting better.
I thought that I would never win this mental battle, and truthfully, the devil still haunts my mind with self-defeating thoughts. But everyday I’m getting stronger. The victory is God’s.
This is one of the reasons why I care so much about encouraging other young women. The Bible says we are to lift each other up, creating a ripple effect of impact on those around us.
Becoming an Example
Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. (Titus 2:3 NLT)
As women of God, we have been commanded to teach younger women how to lead God-honoring lives. We are supposed to be an example to those who don’t know Jesus or who are new to the faith.
That doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes or struggle with sin. I know I am definitely not perfect. But we should be humble enough to admit our mistakes and learn from them. We should take what we’ve learned and teach younger women and girls.
One of the reasons I chose recovery is because I knew Christian women who were more mature in their faith. They poured into my life and guided me to the right path. They helped me learn my identity in Christ.
Answering the Call
Today there are girls in elementary school who diet and hate the way they look. They are turning to their phones and social media for validation. They idolize celebrities for their self worth.
These girls and teens are the enemy’s main target for mental illnesses such as eating disorders and depression.
While campaigns such as NEDA week are helpful and needed, the true cure for eating disorders is Jesus.
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Only the power of Jesus can take away our fear of food. Only the salvation of Jesus can redeem our broken past. And only the love of Jesus can teach us how to love ourselves.
Lovely one, you are more valuable in the eyes of God than you will ever know. He wants you to root your identity in Him and be set free. He wants you to be a light for the next generation.
Young women and girls everywhere need our help. Will you rise up to answer the call?
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, (Isaiah 61:1 NIV)
If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, there is help! Please check out these links or contact me for additional information.
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline (call or text support line)
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/find-treatment/treatment-and-support-groups (Find treatment)
Want a relationship with Jesus? Click here!
Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
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6 Comments
albi95blog
“Only the power of Jesus can take away our fear of food” or anything we fear! Thank you for the truth you are sharing, for opening your heart and for helping women see themselves as the Beloved that they are!.
fearfullywonderfullyme
Thank you for commenting, lovely one! Jesus really does silence every fear.
Laura Ketchie
Thank you for sharing your experience. Your message in your blog is so needed. Jesus really is the cure for anything! It’s my prayer that your story and encouragement reach those who need it!
fearfullywonderfullyme
Thank you so much Laura! And thank you for your prayers!
Wendy Brydge
Most people think we just say this and don’t really mean it literally, but the only true cure for ANYTHING is Jesus. And when we say that, we DO mean it literally. The only thing that can overcome Falsehood is the Truth, and Jesus is the Truth. My best friend suffered from an eating disorder, one that did physical damage to her body that went beyond what I could see with my eyes. It’s the worst feeling in the world to see someone you love suffering. But if you love them and the love of Jesus is in you, you’ll do whatever you can to try and help. You can’t just stay silent and hope for a miracle. Faith is an action — when you pray for something, you back it up by DOING what you can. Thankfully Jesus was already in her too, and the three of us got through it together. But as you’ve said here, so many people don’t have Jesus or even friends who care enough to help. And as followers of Jesus, we should be encouraging others that are struggling.
The Bible explains that demons are false ideas. Lies. They can be bad messages that we hear that then burrow their way into our minds and grip us with fear and doubt. The devil tells us lies to weaken not only our bodies, but our connection to God. And the only way to get a lie (demon) out is with the Truth. And we always have to be mindful of Matthew 12: “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.” This is why without Jesus, we can never truly be healed. You might successfully cast out the demon, but if you don’t fill that void it leaves with SOMETHING… it’ll just come back and be seven times worse than before. Jesus is the only thing to fill the void with. Because the demons attack everyone, believers and non-believers alike. We all continue to sin, even after we come to Christ. Every day a battle is fought inside each and every one of us, and it’s a battle between God and the devil. But we can’t successfully fight the demons without Jesus and His Word firmly rooted in our minds and hearts. We must fight to keep our houses occupied with Him and His truths so the demons can’t get a foothold and destroy us.
And this is what I appreciate most about your blog, Emily. You show people the good things they can use to keep their houses occupied. Reminders of God’s love, and our worth, and the reassurance that despite the struggling we do, it’s not in vain when Jesus is there with us. The devil is a liar, and doubts do not come from God. It’s an ongoing battle, one that is both spiritual, and for some like yourself and my friend, physical as well. But there IS hope. His name is Jesus. Thank you for continually reminding everyone of that.
fearfullywonderfullyme
Wow, Wendy. Thank you so much for your insight. You have a gift of wisdom! I’m sorry to hear that your friend suffered so much, but I’m glad she found healing in Jesus–the greatest physician of all. Her suffering will not be in vain. He does not cause pain without something new to be born (Isaiah 66:9). The battle really is spiritual, and we must fight the lies of the enemy with the truth and abundant life of Jesus Christ (John 10:10). Thank you so much for your encouraging words my lovely friend!