This week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. It’s so important to take a moment to pray for the millions of men and women all over the world who suffer from what has been found to be the deadliest of all mental illnesses. 

Like all mental illnesses, eating disorders are complex. No one ever chooses to suffer in this way. And, many who have struggled will tell you that their journey started with a desire to be thin and a desire to control food. 

Here at BodyBLoved, eating disorder prevention work is the work we feel called to. We’re committed to supporting the healing journey of those who struggle or have struggled with eating disorders, disordered eating, and chronic dieting.

We want all who come into contact with our blogs, devotional or curriculum to hear this message: You don’t need to change your body size to receive love.  

You don’t have to clean up to come to Jesus because His grace does the cleansing for you. Because of His relentless love and grace, you can lay down your striving for thinness. He invites you to put down food and the scale as your idols and run to Him.

You can imagine how delighted we were when we found out that the National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2020 theme is “Come as you are.” 

Don’t you love it when God’s messages somehow mysteriously seep into secular organizations? We see you, God! We see you shining your light for the world to see and we’re cheering you on.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

All are invited – every single one of us, each of us filled with sin, brokenness, and illness. Thanks to God’s fanatical love for us He doesn’t let us stay there bound up in chains and suffering. He wants to take away everything that’s holding us back from a deeper more meaningful relationship with Him and the people around us. 

So, if you’re in a place where you have healed from an eating disorder but may not have fully healed your relationship with food and your body, hear this – God’s healing work is not quite complete. 

Everyone is on their own unique journey with discovering food peace and body acceptance. And each journey travels at a different pace. One of the hardest parts of recovery is accepting where you're at and accepting where others are at around you. 

It's easy to feel discouraged and triggered by others with an openly unhealthy relationship with food and sometimes that can lead to setbacks in healing and recovery. You might question, “Wait should I be dieting again if they are?" or "Should I not be eating this food if they aren't?"

This is your invitation to come as you are, in whatever stage of recovery that might look like. 

You are invited to come as you are, in any size body you’re in. 

You are invited to come as you are, no matter what harmful and hateful beliefs you have about your body. 

You are invited to come as you are, no matter what harmful things you have done or are currently doing to your body. 

Just know that He won’t let you stay where you are, until you are fully healed.

Our prayer is for the healing power of Jesus for those who battle each day on their road to recovery from food and body struggles. You are not alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder of any kind you deserve to get help. Visit National Eating Disorder Awareness for more information.