Do You Struggle with an Eating Disorder?

Hey, Awesome Teens

Today we’re going to talk about a topic that often lies hidden for a number of reasons, including denial, powerlessness, and embarrassment.

Did you guess what it is?  It’s the topic of eating disorders.

So, why should we talk about eating disorders? Because eating disorders affect teenage girls all over the world, including Christian girls.  And because the problem of eating disorders is an extremely serious one that, in many cases, is life threatening.

First off, what is an eating disorder? An eating disorder is a habit of eating that is abnormal or harmful to the human body.  Notice the word habit.  An eating disorder is something that has become a habit and that has taken control of your life.

Why do eating disorders develop? Here are a few key reasons:

1) Fear of losing control.  Eating disorders usually develop when a girl fears losing control of her life for whatever reason. Perhaps she lives in a family that is out of control. Her life is filled with strife, abuse, or conflict that she feels powerless to stop. So, her only way of coping is to find an area in her personal life that she alone can control. Eating is such an area.


2) Fear of not measuring up. Today’s culture bombards us with false images of what the “perfect” girl should look like. She should be pencil-thin, beautiful, and brilliant. If she does not meet these false standards, then something is wrong with her.

3) Fear of man. Those with an eating disorder look to people for approval instead of to God. They derive their sense of worth from what others think of them instead of what God thinks of them.

At the root of all eating disorders is a lie. A girl with an eating disorder does not see reality correctly. She has a perception problem and does not see herself as she truly is--beautiful in God’s eyes. She sees only a distorted view of herself.

For example, a girl with anorexia will look in the mirror and see herself as overweight. This is a form of deception that Satan uses to destroy. Remember: Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).

A girl with an eating disorder has a perception problem.  She does not see herself as she truly is--beautiful in God’s eyes. She sees only a distorted view of herself.

If you are struggling with an eating disorder, there is hope for you. Here are some steps to take:

1) Renounce Satan’s hold on your eating habits in the Name of Jesus.

2) Repent of believing Satan’s lie that you are not good enough, pretty enough, or smart enough.

3) Repent of trying to control your life in a harmful way through disordered eating. Give Holy Spirit total control over your life.

4) Seek the help of your pastor, a trusted Christian adult, and/or a professional counselor.

5) Trust in God’s grace to deliver you as you focus on Jesus, not on your problem.

Many girls have overcome serious eating disorders with the help of God. You can, too!

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Copyright 2015 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved.

To Become a Gabriel Girl, you need to qualify as follows:

• You need to be born again. This means that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and the Lord of your life.If you don't know how to do this, click here.
• You need to have a desire to tell others about Jesus wherever you go and whenever you can.
• You need to commit to following Jesus by reading the Bible and praying every day and by obeying Jesus' command to love Him and to love your neighbor.
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I Wish I Were . . . .

Hey, Gabriel Girls!

Do you ever wish you were someone else? Like the girl in your class who turns every guy's head? Or the girl who aces all her tests? Or the girl who has that hourglass figure and eats everything she wants and doesn't gain an ounce?

Ugh!

Do you think that maybe if you were prettier, or smarter, or thinner your life would be perfect? Or you would be loved more? Or even loved at all?

Photo Source: Lightstock.com Photo ID:67366

Think again!

THINKING WITH GOD

In fact, let's think about this with God. That's what God wants us to do, you know.  He wants us to think about everything together with Him. 

This is how He puts it in the Bible: "'Come, let’s talk this over,' says the Lord." (Isaiah 1:18 TLB). 

Isn't it amazing that God wants to talk things over with us? So, let's do what God says and talk with Him about the issue of "I wish I were (fill in the blank)."

Okay. How? Here are four things I do whenever I need to talk something over with God--which, by the way, is every day.

First, I get quiet. Sometimes I put on soft praise music. Sometimes I just go sit outside under a tree. Sometimes I go to the beach (my favorite place in the whole wide world). Or sometimes, I just go to my room and close the door.

But, always, I take my Bible with me. And, always, I read a part of it. (If you don't own a Bible, let me know). 

Second, I start picturing Jesus. Sometimes I picture Him walking along the Sea of Galilee. Sometimes I picture Him sitting in the chair next to me. Sometimes I picture Him walking on the beach with me.

Next, I ask Him a question. I'm always sure to have a pen and my journal with me because Jesus always starts talking after I ask Him a question.

Finally, I write down what comes to my mind after I ask Him the question. Those thoughts that come to my mind after I ask Jesus a question are His words in response to my question.

"'Come, let's talk this over,' says the Lord."
(Isaiah 1:18)

How cool is that?

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK GOD

So, what question do you want to ask Jesus today?  Write it down in your journal and then follow the four steps above. Trust that the thoughts that come to your mind after you ask Jesus your question are His words in response to your question.

Here are some sample questions to get you started:

• Jesus, why did you give me brown hair instead of blond? (I'll ask Him why He gave me gray hair. SMILE!)
• Jesus, why did You make me short? Tall? Blue-eyed? Hazel-eyed? Brown-eyed?
• Jesus, why was I born in America? South Africa? India? (Or whatever country you were born in)?
• Jesus, do You think I'm pretty?
• Jesus, why did You make me?
• Jesus, do You love me?

If you'd like to share your question and Jesus’ answer to you in the comment box below, please do so. When we share our hearts, we discover that the hearts of girls all over the world are very much the same.

With love in the Lion of Judah! (That's another name for Jesus. :))

Dr. MaryAnn   

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Copyright 2015 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved.
To Become a Gabriel Girl, you need to qualify as follows:

• You need to be born again. This means that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and the Lord of your life.If you don't know how to do this, click here.
• You need to have a desire to tell others about Jesus wherever you go and whenever you can.
• You need to commit to following Jesus by reading the Bible and praying every day and by obeying Jesus' command to love Him and to love your neighbor.
  ____________________________________________________

You can find me on the following Social Media Venues:

Website: www.maryanndiorio.com
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How Much Are You Worth?

Hi, Awesome Teen!

Well, the response to our first post has been better than I had expected. My mailbox has been full of emails from people who are excited about the Truth to Teens blog!

But they can't be more excited than I am about all of you!

 Photo Source: Fotolia: File: #29169886 | Author: vladischern

So, please chime in and tell us a little about yourself. Things like your favorite color, your favorite subject in school, your favorite food.  Or anything else you'd like to share. This is a group of girlfriends from all over the world. Although our cultures may differ, deep down we all share the same hopes, dreams, fears, and challenges that go with being a teenage girl.

Today, I'd like to talk about one of those challenges. I call it the challenge of self-worth.

WHAT IS WORTH?
If I were to ask you what you think you're worth, what would you say? Would you describe your worth in dollars (or whatever currency your country uses)?  Would you describe your worth in looks? In smarts (that's another word for intelligence or brain power)?  In the fact that a guy likes you or not?

If you describe your worth in terms of any of those things I mentioned above, then I need to let you in on a secret:  Your worth is not measured by anything or anyone here on earth.  Your worth comes from God. He gave you worth when He made you. And no one can take that worth from you.

Your worth is not measured by anyone or anything here on earth!

So, no matter who puts you down or says you have no worth, don't believe that person. He or she is not telling the truth about you. And don't look to anyone or anything for your worth, because you won't find it there.

WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR WORTH?
The truth about you is that God says you have great worth.  If you want to know how much worth God says you have, just look at the Cross.

The Cross is Jesus' statement about your worth. On that Cross, He showed you that having you forever was worth His life. And so He gave His life for you so that you could spend forever with Him.

But not only that. He gave His life to you as a gift. But there's one thing you need to do, and that is you need to accept His gift.

Jesus won't force His gift on you because He is a Gentleman. But He is asking you to accept His gift of Himself. Won't you do so today?

Here is a little prayer you can say to accept Jesus' gift of Himself to you:

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me the gift of Yourself by dying on the Cross and rising from the dead. I gladly accept Your gift of Yourself to me. I will treasure Your gift all the days of my life. Amen." 

If you prayed this little prayer, you are now an OFFICIAL GABRIEL GIRL!  Congratulations! Please write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com to let me know.

Also, start reading the Bible every day. Begin with the Gospel of Mark found in the second half of the Bible. You can find this part online at http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mar&c=1&t=NLT&p=1 

If you have any questions, please write to me or post them at the end of our blog.  Meanwhile, I will be praying for you!


With love in the Lion of Judah! (That's another name for Jesus. :))

Dr. MaryAnn    

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Copyright 2015-2021 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, All Rights Reserved.

"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).