Verses For Eating Disorder Recovery
If you’re looking for something to cling to during the tough times in your eating disorder recovery, perhaps you’ve thought of searching the Bible. I know that I found strength in particular verses during my own eating disorder recovery.
Do you wish you could be assured when you’re afraid, tempted to engage in behaviors or weary from fighting? Do you long for comfort or to know someone understands how hard this time in your life is for you? Do you struggle to change your thoughts or to see yourself through God’s eyes? Then why not look to the Bible in your eating disorder recovery?
I’ll share some verses that meant a lot to me as well as other verses that I think are appropriate for eating disorder recovery. I’ve divided them into categories for easy reference.
When you are tempted to engage in behaviors.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:38
“But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” I Cor. 10:13
When you feel hesitant to pray about your eating disorder.
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Eph. 3:12
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7
When you feel weak or weary.
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isa. 40:29
When you need comfort.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Ps. 34:18
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Ps. 63:7-8
When you feel afraid.
“The Lord is the light and my salvation - whom what I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? Ps. 27:1
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Ps. 34:4
When you need assurance that God can protect and strengthen you.
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’” Isa. 41:13
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” Isa. 43:2-3a
When you long for healing in your heart.
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Ps. 32:7
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Ps. 34:17
When you would like assurance of God’s love for you.
“…I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jer. 31:3
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38-39
When you feel no one understands.
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Heb. 2:18
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” Heb. 4:15
When you need to focus on how God sees you.
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isa. 49:16
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matt. 10:30
When you struggle to change your thoughts.
“We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” II Cor. 10:5
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” Phil. 4:8
When you question your purpose.
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jer. 29:11
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 1:6
When you are grateful for what God has done for you.
“For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Ps. 116:8-9
“O Lord my God, I called out to you for help and you healed me.” Ps. 30:2
Keep these verses close to you so you can refer to them during your most vulnerable moments or even while you’re celebrating your victories. Perhaps you’d like to write them down and put them on a mirror or refrigerator or slip them into your purse or wallet. If you don’t mind memorizing, maybe you’d like to cement them in your thoughts. Use these truths to combat the discouraging and negative thoughts that come to mind. May these verses inspire you in your eating disorder recovery.
By Laurie Glass |
