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.

Since The Day I Was Born

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

Eating Disorder Bible Verse Resources

• Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
• No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
• I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
• You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. Song of Solomon 4:7
• I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14
• “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:25
• Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
• But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
• Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
• Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

About Ari

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.