“It is the message of my life that our mighty God will work through our difficult struggles in order to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ”

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Is Anorexia in the Bible?

By Anita Kelly Couch

“They were hungry and thirsty; Their souls fainted within them.” (Psalms 107:5)

“There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, Prisoners with misery and chains….”(vs.10)

“Their soul abhorred all kinds of food, And they drew near to the gates of death.” (vs18)

“Their soul melted away in their misery… And were at their wits’ end..(verses 26b, 27)

Can you believe these words were written in the Bible thousands of years ago by one of the most famous kings in history? Do they not perfectly describe someone today who is practicing anorexia or bulimia? I can so relate, as I struggled horribly with both in my past. Astounding! Thankfully, in that same chapter, Psalms 107, we are also given the solution to the “hungry and thirsty”, even to those who are on the verge of death. After each of the characteristics listed above, there is a repeated phrase:

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.” (Psalms 107: 6, 13, 19, 28)

WHY WOULD WE WITH OUR DESPERATE HEARTS CRY OUT TO THE LORD?

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (Ps.107:1,8, 15, 21, 31, 43)

So often we refuse to cry out to the Lord. We refuse to believe His unfathomable love applies to us. Instead, we “rebel against the words of God and spurn the counsel of the Most High.”(Ps.107: 11) We remained fixated on our selves instead of… crying out to the only One who can rescue us from this pit!

We rely on our own strength instead of… admitting there is nothing we can do to help ourselves. We declare our full dependence on His intervention!

“THEN THEY CRIED TO THE LORD IN THEIR TROUBLE AND….

”He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary”(Ps.107:2) [If you are in any kind of addiction, you have fallen into the enemy’s trap, but Jesus came to rescue, setting you free from anything that holds you!]

”He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good!” (Ps.107:9)

"He brought us out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke [our] bonds apart!” (Ps.107: 14, 16)) [He can easily “shatter” the bonds of an eating disorder!]

”He has sent His Word and healed me and delivered me from all my destructions.” (Ps.107:20)

He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves were hushed.” (Ps.107: 2) He calmed this constant raging in my soul to a whisper! Even the winds and seas obey Him!]

Oh precious one, God has specifically and uniquely created you as a unique expression of His pleasure! You are the object of His unending, overpowering love! He longs for starving souls to find complete satisfaction in Him. Every hope, every dream, every secret longing of your heart can only be fulfilled in Him. No one will every love you like He does. No one can do for you what He can do for you. No one will do for you what He has already done for you, because His love for you will never end. (Jeremiah 31:3)

“Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things;
And consider the...lovingkindness of the LORD.” (Psalms 107: 43)