2008 Woodie Awards
Eating disorders lessened by strong faith
By Josh Bortnik
Rocket Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/4/05 Section: Opinion
Did you ever feel confused and ask yourself, "Why am I doing (this) if it is negatively affecting, controlling, and holding me back, causing pain and guilt?" I know, your situation can seem hopeless, but it's not! We all can develop negative habits and addictions in our lives. The first thing we have to do is be real with ourselves. This is hard to do. Jeremiah 17:9 says our hearts are deceitful above all things. We also have to deal with our sinful nature and lies our culture and Satan try to feed us. Things can seem so pleasurable, but in reality these thoughts, actions, and habits are killing us and robbing our peace.
I struggle with an eating disorder that takes the form of compulsive binge eating. I don't even know how it developed. I think it was a combination of gaining/losing weight for pre and post-football seasons and always working out and striving for perfection. I realized it was a problem and went to God. I want to encourage you because God never fails to provide answers. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says we have 3 separate parts: a spirit, soul, and body. Our mind and physical bodies compose "the flesh." Our soul includes our minds, which entertain our own wants and desires. (not God's) We also have a spirit, which can be excited by God, who is a spirit being composed of three separate entities: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You have to understand this to understand who you are and where your desires come from. That is why it is so hard to do what God wants. It is our own sinful nature that holds us back from experiencing God's best in our lives. If you are willing to lay down your own wants and desires, experiencing "death-to-self," you will also experience freedom and joy. You will realize how good God really is and fall in love with Him.
Each day is spiritual warfare. The battle starts in our minds. Read James 1:14-16. "But each one of you is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. But waiting on God will bring life. Do not be discouraged if you keep falling and all hope seems gone. One of the greatest men of the Bible talked about his struggle with sin in Romans 7 & 8. "I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well what I am doing is wrong from my bad conscience. But if I am doing what I don't want to do (compulsive eating or whatever might be your struggle in life) I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is."
I struggle with an eating disorder that takes the form of compulsive binge eating. I don't even know how it developed. I think it was a combination of gaining/losing weight for pre and post-football seasons and always working out and striving for perfection. I realized it was a problem and went to God. I want to encourage you because God never fails to provide answers. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says we have 3 separate parts: a spirit, soul, and body. Our mind and physical bodies compose "the flesh." Our soul includes our minds, which entertain our own wants and desires. (not God's) We also have a spirit, which can be excited by God, who is a spirit being composed of three separate entities: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You have to understand this to understand who you are and where your desires come from. That is why it is so hard to do what God wants. It is our own sinful nature that holds us back from experiencing God's best in our lives. If you are willing to lay down your own wants and desires, experiencing "death-to-self," you will also experience freedom and joy. You will realize how good God really is and fall in love with Him.
Each day is spiritual warfare. The battle starts in our minds. Read James 1:14-16. "But each one of you is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. But waiting on God will bring life. Do not be discouraged if you keep falling and all hope seems gone. One of the greatest men of the Bible talked about his struggle with sin in Romans 7 & 8. "I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well what I am doing is wrong from my bad conscience. But if I am doing what I don't want to do (compulsive eating or whatever might be your struggle in life) I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is."
