Eating disorders are thriving during the pandemic. Hotline calls to the National Eating Disorders Association are up 70-80% in recent months. A recent survey found 62% of women with anorexia experienced worsening symptoms as the pandemic hit. Those with binge eating disorder also experience heightened symptoms. Eating disorders are isolating to begin with, and here we are, isolating ourselves even more.
But, there is HOPE, and that hope Jesus. Using the poem and Bible verses below, know that you are NOT alone, and the God of the universe LOVES YOU (yes, you!). Poetry and his Word have brought healing into my life, and I know it can do the same for you, beloved.
I thought I had beaten this
So why haven’t I eaten yet?
Insecurity had become my “best friend”
I found myself stepping on the scale for the 15th time today
I wanted to place more of my identity in Christ instead of this so-called best friend
And that’s exactly what I did
So this has me questioning
Is this his advice
I’m talking about the enemy - can’t you hear me
I hear the enemy scream at me
"Throw up all that food you ate, you look fat, bloated, useless
It says in Matthew 6:25 "not to worry about what you eat"
So this has to be the enemy twisting what God is really trying to tell me
Right
I need to stop looking and memorizing numbers on the scale, but instead the ones from the Bible
Genesis 1:27 says "you are made in His image"
Psalm 139:14 says "you are fearfully and wonderfully created"
Solomon 4:7 says "you are all together beautiful, my love, there is no flaw in you"
I now am able to say I know now my Creator has loved me since the day I was born
My name is Auriahna. People call me Ari. I’ve grown up in Milwaukee my whole life. I’ve been growing my relationship with Christ this past year and every day my relationship grows and gets better. My passion is poetry. I write it because:
1. It helps me get through the tough times.
2. Others can relate through my writings.
3. I use the gift my Creator has blessed me with.
My hope for all of you is that you realize you are never alone, and through Christ, you can accomplish anything.
To find out more or get help in dealing with an eating disorder, you can contact the National Eating Disorder Association online, or text "NEDA" to 741741 to reach a trained volunteer at the group's crisis text line.