What’s Eating at You Can Be Deadly!

This morning a friend of mine asked me to pray for her granddaughter. She is 13 years old and in the hospital. The heartbreaking part of her request is that this precious young lady is being treated for anorexia, a familiar and dangerous eating disorder that is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed.

Sometimes we just don’t think about eating disorders and the seriousness of them, do we? But forgetting about them doesn’t change the facts! Here are the latest:

Eating Disorders are Scary

Every 52 minutes, someone in America dies from complications related to an eating disorder. Let that sink in for a moment. 52 minutes! It makes me want to cry.

Right now, nearly 29 million Americans are struggling with an eating disorder. That’s roughly 9% of the U.S. population—more people than live in the entire state of Texas. These disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric condition, yet they remain widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed.

The statistics paint a troubling picture. Eating disorder prevalence has increased by 124% globally since 2000. Sadly, young people are developing these conditions earlier than ever before, with the average age of onset now between 12 and 13 years old. And despite what many people believe, eating disorders don’t discriminate—they affect people of all genders, races, ages, and body types.

These numbers were taken from an article at the link posted below. It has so much more information that you would really benefit from reading the full article, especially if you are a parent, grandparent, a teacher, or just anyone who cares. The information about eating disorders is overwhelming and heartbreaking!  (https://www.southdenvertherapy.com/blog/eating-disorder-statistics).

Lies Eat Away at Our Worth

I have talked with so many young ladies who just don’t feel good about themselves. They ache to belong, to fit in. There may be family problems at home. They may be bullied at school or online. Most of them are listening to the messages of social media that tell them they will only be happy if they look this certain way, or buy this product. The messages come from influencers who carefully filter, edit and present a message in such a way to entice them to spend money. But when they do, those false assurances don’t yield the promised results. Their self-esteem tanks. Not all of them will suffer an eating disorder, of course. But some will.

I wish I could take away that pain.

Our value as women, even starting as young girls, is very precious, but also very fragile. We need to encourage and boost each other’s value and confidence in every way possible. Eating disorders are not the only reason we need to do this.

Women Need Each Other!

Women simply need to support each other. If we can do that, then maybe we can stop the cycle of negativity and criticism, as well as all the lies that are eating away at our value and worth. It starts with being willing to just care about those around us.

One way we can do this is to support young mothers who are overwhelmed. Give them a helping hand with their small children. Take them shopping or out to eat lunch. Teach them how to cook (I was surprised how many don’t even know how to cook!). Encourage them. Be a role model for them. Some of them don’t have good role models for how to even be a good mom. Be that friend who can teach them how to boost their daughters’ self-esteem in the right ways.

It Starts With Paying Attention!

Opening our eyes to those around us is a simple way to start. Smile at your neighbors. Get to know the women who live nearby. Smile and talk to those you see in the grocery store, in the pick-up lines at school, at the gym. Be interested in others. Sometimes we try to hide behind anonymity, but what that does is pushes us farther away from others and isolates us. Loneliness is a big factor in eating disorders and other emotional disorders as well.

Young girls — and honestly all women — need to hear messages of how valuable and precious they are. And those messages need to be repeated over and over again until they start believing them (and sharing them with their friends).

God’s Personal Message to You:

So, my dear one, here is the truth from God Himself. Take it into your heart, but don’t leave it there! Share it with someone you know. You just don’t know what might be eating away at them on the inside.

“YOU, my dear daughter, are beautiful and precious simply because I made you. I love you more than you can ever imagine. In fact, I planned every detail about you before I even created the world. Think about that! You were intentionally a part of My master plan. I chose you, (yes you!) to be created at just this right time and in this place for a specific purpose. What is that purpose?

Just trust Me. All will be clear in good time. All of My purposes are VERY GOOD. And that means YOU are very good, too. So, don’t listen to what anyone else tells you about yourself, because I am the Creator of everything and I decided that this world needed YOU. And no one else can take your place. No one. I love you just the way you are. Love, your Abba (Your Dad).”

A P.S. From Me:

And, my dear friend, I am always here for you, too. So if you are ever discouraged, if you ever for a moment doubt your value or worth, please drop me a note, and let’s talk. I will be happy to remind you that you are perfectly and wonderfully made. (And you can remind me right back, ok?)

Prayer:

Dear Father,  Why is this world so complicated for us girls? You never planned it to be this way. For my precious friend who questions her worth, remind her that You are the only influencer we need to listen to. And for that sweet one who is struggling with an eating disorder, please put your loving arms around her so she feels Your presence and peace. Thank you for loving us and never giving up on us! In Jesus name, AMEN.