“So use your body to honor God.” -- 1 Corinthians 6:20
Chloe cringed in disgust as she stared into the vomit-filled toilet. She felt a strange sort of rush – the satisfaction of purging impurities from her body. Then she turned off the faucet used to muffle her retching, flushed the toilet, and prayed for a miracle – instant thinness.
At thirteen, Chloe discovered an online social network called “Mia loves Me” – ‘Mia’ being a nickname for bulimia. Every day she would chat with girls around the world who also hated their bodies. Her new-found ‘Mia’ friends provided support - sacrificing food became a noble act of willpower.
The thought of food made her sick even though her stomach needed it so badly! Her mind convinced her body that food was evil, the devil incarnate.
After a yearlong relationship with bulimia, friends and family began to praise her for her weight loss. Her jeans were looser. Her shirts were baggier.
Her social life soared - she was popular, loved, and admired. Nobody knew her gums were aching from the daily stomach acid that burned her tooth enamel. Nobody knew she had dangerously high blood pressure. She only realized how bad her lifestyle was getting when she collapsed in gym class after a routine fitness test.
Alone in the locker room, she studied the reflection of her half-naked body in the mirror. Her bloodshot eyes glossed with tears . . . she hated the anguish, the isolation, this disorder.
Therapy would help her realize the extent of her self-destructive behavior. Treatment was dreadful - it was torture being forced to eat in front of nurses and peers. After gaining enough weight, she went back home. For the first time in years, she ate dinner with her family. When dessert arrived, she excused herself to check for email from her Mia sisters. One email stated:
“Where have you been - I hope you’re OK. It’s tough, but you can beat this ‘fat’ battle! Beauty comes with a price - we must sacrifice to reach our goals. You’ve come a long way. You’re so thin, so beautiful. Never give up!”
Chloe ran to the basement bathroom. She stood in front of the toilet and with tears dripping faster than the water running from the faucet, she pulled her hair back. Eyes closed, her tongue extended. Her index finger stopped short of her mouth . . . and Chloe vowed never to purge again. The war within her would persist – but she won the first battle decisively!
“Loving God, please help me to choose healthy foods in moderation. When I’m feeling lonely, helpless, or out of control, help me to choose ways other than food to deal with my problems. Guide me to love my body and myself, as You love me. Amen.”
