What do I do! I can’t fit into my favorite dress, and I really want to wear it for Valentine’s Day. I have an idea! I will try one of those fad diets for the week, and by the weekend, I should be good to go.

Does this sound like a good plan to you? If so, you could be on your way from diet to disorder, eating disorder, that is. Eating disorders are characterized by a number of psychological disorders that involve excessive or insufficient amounts of food.  The challenging thing about eating disorders is, like most other addictions, they sneak up on you. Before you know it, you find yourself in a downward spiral and wonder how you got there.

Take it from me. I struggled with an eating disorder off and on for almost twenty years before finally experiencing freedom through the healing power of Jesus Christ.

For me, my anxiety about food began at an early age. I was a “healthier” weight than most other kids and was self-conscious eating around others. I hid food and found myself obsessing about my body beginning in grade school.
At the time, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with this behavior. I figured every adolescent girl struggled with body image. Right? Wrong!

My obsession continued. By the time I got to college, I had developed some very unhealthy habits. Fitness and diet magazines were my favorite college “curriculum”, and fad diets and supplements were my cuisine of choice. Before I knew it, I had shed many pounds, and all of my friends were asking me how I did it.

Suddenly, I had a new identity. I was getting attention, and I liked it.  I was “healthy” and happy for the first time in my life, or so I thought. But if I was so “healthy” why were so many people concerned about me? And if I was so happy, why couldn’t my mind stop thinking about what I had or had not eaten that day?

The truth was that I had an eating disorder. I was in a downward spiral and if I did not do something I was going to die. I checked into a treatment center and while it did not heal me, it did help me. It helped me see that my obsession with weight, with food, and ultimately with myself, was taking me away from God’s divine plan for me.

I say the treatment center did not heal me because that is God’s job. I truly believe that with any addiction, it takes the power of the Lord Almighty to break those chains and set us free. The good news is that it is possible.
I never thought I would be free from obsessing with food, with my body, with myself, but I am! And you can be too! If you or someone you know if struggling with an eating disorder, or any other addiction, there is hope, there is help, there is healing. Feel free to email me for some great resources.

—Janee’ Harrell

Janee is a television producer, speaker and author. Email Janee at:  janee@hopehelpheal.org