Christian Struggling with Anxiety and Binge Eating

by Don A.

I have been reading the binge eating site and have listened to the audios about what we are afraid of if we loose weight. I understand that most women want to be thin and sexy, but I am a truly happy Christian widow who has made Christ the head of my life now and I really cannot identify with the married or single woman's goal. Is there any hope for me to loose weight? I do have a lot of anxiety over my very ill mother and I don't have the time to focus on myself now. Didn't Jesus tell us to become humble and not make ourselves number one? This is the lesson I have set for myself and I just can't get past it. I do appreciate that you have a Christian viewpoint. Please let me know if you have any thoughts.

Reply from Sound-Mind.org

Hello Don A.,

Thanks so much for sharing yourself with us. Many Christians struggle with putting themselves first for the same reason you struggle.

I'd like to point out that although it is true we are to stay humble, it is also true that we are to take care of our bodies! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." Therefore, we have a responsibility to take care of ourselves & our bodies. I don't believe for one minute that God wanted us to forget entirely about ourselves. We are told to keep ourselves right... to keep ourselves filled with the Spirit of God... if we don't, how can we share and allow for that joy to overflow onto others?

There is a real difference in loving ourselves and "loving ourselves" to the point of conceit. Let us remember Colossians 3:17-18 which says "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

As for your struggle with binge eating, God can take that from you if you are willing to hand it over to Him. I think it's very important to deal with the reasons why you are binge eating. If you are binge eating due to stress, anxiety or depression, you really need to deal with those issues too. I'd like to encourage you to seek the help of a qualified therapist. Do not be afraid to see help outside of yourself.Since you are a Christian, why not ask your pastor where you might obtain Christian counseling.

There is also a great cognitive-behavioral self-help program that you may also find interest in, Abraham Low Self-Help Systems/Recovery Inc. This is a free, non-profit program that helps people spot their negative thought patterns. They also help those with eating disorders as well. Check out their site to find a meeting near you. They are not a religious or spiritual organization but they teach skills that change people's lives. No matter what religion you are or what you believe spiritually, you can incorporate that into your program.

Wishing you the very best! Keep looking up!
~Susan