Living Free - October 12, 2017
Today's Scripture
"I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself." Ephesians 3:19 NLV
Thoughts for Today
People struggling with eating disorders become preoccupied with food and their body image. They become overly concerned about how others see and react to their body size. They tend to feel extremely guilty after eating and think a lot about dieting. Sometimes they even have fears about never being able to stop eating.
Consider this …
If you or someone you care about is experiencing this kind of fear and guilt, here are a few thoughts. Try to accept the fact that bodies come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Remember that we can be our own worst critics and that others really find us attractive. Cut yourself some slack! Allow for normal variations in your weight and shape.
Let yourself enjoy the functions of your body parts, not just how they look. Be thankful that you can use your legs to walk and run and your arms and hands to do thousands of wonderful things.
Be willing to recognize your strengths in terms of your appearance—the parts of your body that you like—and your personal qualities like caring, enthusiasm and honesty.
God created you … he loves you … and that makes you very special indeed!
Father, help me to refocus on your love for me. Help me to remember that I don't have to weigh a certain amount or look a certain way to be special. I am special because you love me … and you always will. Thank you for your love. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …Seeing Yourself in God's Image: Overcoming Anorexia and Bulimia by Martha Homme, MA, LPC. Written by a counselor with experience helping those with eating disorders, this study is born from her own struggles in adolescence. The group challenges members to find their identity in Christ as they overcome this difficult struggle. This guide offers understanding of distorted body image, denial, and the family systems influence. It also explains how to break free of social pressures and how to restore the temple and tie the recovery process together. A companion booklet Seeing Your Loved One in God's Image, can be used as a quick reference guide dealing with issues associated with eating disorders. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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