Spiritual Anorexia

What do you see when you look in the mirror? What do you believe about yourself? Some women have spiritual anorexia. 

Anorexia is a deadly disorder that effects mostly young women. When they look in the mirror, they see a distorted view of themselves. No matter how thin they are in reality, they see themselves as fat. They begin starving themselves--they quit eating--often until they die. 

How do you measure your life? Do you constantly give in to the belief that you are a failure? Do you ever feel like a huge red rubber stamp has emblazoned the word, "Loser", across your forehead? What measuring stick are you using? Certainly not God's!

From the day Eve first gave the serpent a foothold into her heart with his half truths and outright lies, he has been trying to capture ground in our minds, as well. He doesn't have the nicknames: Father of Lies, Accuser, or Deceiver for no reason. His sole purpose is to darken God's truth and light in our spirits. 

He hates God's love for us. He hates God's redemption of us. He hates the power God gives us to overcome in our lives. He can't win over God outright, so he attacks us, His children. 

Sadly, once we have kids, spiritual anorexia seems to have a 100% rate of being passed onto our children. Our kids will believe what they see in our belief system about ourselves rather than what we tell them. 

My kids have often heard me say, "Quit talking about my kid like that!"  I'm not talking to their friends or another adult. I am talking to them-- when they slide into the habit of putting themselves down. They will comment on their looks, their grades, or their talents and quickly rubber stamp, "Loser" across their foreheads.   
. 
I'm here as a believing parent to correct their thinking during those tumultuous years of growing up. I hug them and point out the truth of what God believes about them and what I believe about them. They grin and I think secretly love to hear me yell, "Quit talking about my kid like that!" 

I wonder-- if we listen during those times when our hearts rage against us with the lies of "failure" or "loser"--might we not hear another voice.  Our heavenly father saying-- or yelling, "Quit talking about my kid like that!"  And He is talking about you, His precious child.

For the LORD your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:17

What is your favorite love message from God to you from His Word?  Share it below. It will bless us all.

-------------------------------------

For more spiritual refreshment, visit Spiritual Sundays.