eating disorders
Starting the Healing
If you are feeling helpless watching your child struggle, know that God cares.
The Bible says, "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure" (Psalm 16:9).
Remind your children daily that God created them and loves them exactly as they are! This is hopeful news! Take a moment to focus on the amazing love and acceptance of your Heavenly Father and the healing words of Psalm 139. Encourage your child to read this passage or read it with them.
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise: you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
You hem me in — behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother"s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Background Information
Contributing Factors
Although the following influences do not constitute a comprehensive list of contributing factors, they are often present in eating disorders.
A New Type of Internet Predator
Parents beware of yet another threat girls face—Web sites encouraging binging and purging.
Model Behavior
When it comes to food and dieting, teens are imitating the stars all the way to illness.
Recognizing an Eating Disorder
Don't miss the signs. Parents need to know how to recognize anorexia and bulimia.
Starving for Acceptance
Here's a parent's guide to eating disorders.
Questions and Answers
Why doesn't someone with an eating disorder just stop?
Answer
Review Frequently Asked Questions
Stories
No One's Immune
As the daughter of a Christian physician proves, eating disorders aren't always caused by obvious risk factors.
If you've been through a experience related to this topic, we invite you to share your story with others.Share Your Story
Other Things to Consider
Related Topics
Relationships: Blended Families, Parents and Adult Children
Transitions: Preparing for Adolescence, Empty Nest
