Eating disorders and hating my body

If food, weight, and your reflection have become a prison of rituals, fear, and shame, hear the truth first: your body is not your enemy, and neither is it your worth. 'I am fearfully and wonderfully made' (Psalm 139:14) was written about bodies, and yours is included; and if you belong to Christ, your body is 'the temple of the Holy Ghost' (1 Corinthians 6:19) - precious to God at every size, not once it reaches a number. Scripture also warns how deceitful appearance-based worth is: 'favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain' (Proverbs 31:30), and 'man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart' (1 Samuel 16:7).

But be clear-eyed: eating disorders are serious illnesses of body and mind, not vanity and not a spiritual failure - and they are dangerous. Recovery almost always needs professional help - a doctor, a counselor, often a dietitian - and getting that help is obedience to the God who says your life is valuable, not a lack of faith (see the answer on therapy and medicine). Tell one safe person today.

Secrecy is the disorder's best friend; light is yours (1 John 1:7). If you are in medical distress or having thoughts of harming yourself, call 988 or seek medical care now.