Below is a video from the presentation of “Gaining a Healthy Relationship with Food.” For the various counseling options available from this material visit www.summitrdu.com/counseling.
NOTE: Many people have asked how they can get a copy of the seminar notebook referenced in this verbal presentation. You can request a copy from Summit’s admin over counseling at counseling@summitrdu.com (please note this is an administrative account; no individual or family counsel is provided through e-mail).
“My Unhealthy Relationship with Food
Led to an Unhealthy Relationship with You”
CONFESS TO THOSE AFFECTED for harm done and seek to make amends.
Ganing A Healthy Relationship With Food — Step 5 from The Sam James Institute on Vimeo.
For the “Confession Guide” click here: Confession Guide
Memorize: I John 1:6-10 (ESV), “If we say, we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” As you memorize this passage reflect upon these key points:
- “If we say” – Part of your confession needs to acknowledge that verses six and eight were true of you.
- “Walk in darkness” – It is important not to see your disordered eating as “the good life,” but as destructive.
- “Walk in the light” – True confession is a lifestyle and not an event; not just something to “get it over with.”
- “Deceive ourselves” – Begin to see how you deceived yourself as the first step in being dishonest with others.
- “Make [God] a liar” – When we refuse to acknowledge the wrongness of our disordered eating we call God a liar.
Teaching Notes
“Disclosure was the next step in my recovery process (p. 134)… I saw the eating disorder issue as a giant balloon. Little by little, as I told the truth to more people, I was deflating it (p. 155).” Sheryle Cruse in Thin Enough: My Spiritual Journey through the Living Death of an Eating Disorder
“But I had allowed my world to become so small, so isolated, due in large part to my controlling need for self-protection. That left little room for anyone to get into my life. But now, desiring change and a closer relationship with God, I had to get used to people again. I had to get used to and knowing people and being known by them (p. 174-175).” Sheryle Cruse in Thin Enough: My Spiritual Journey through the Living Death of an Eating Disorder
“I learned that I could tell people the truth and they would love me more, not less, so I reached out to others to help me (p. 5)… I realize that by not talking to anyone about my fear of the unknown, my deep-seated insecurities, and my desperate need to feel more in control, I was actually fueling and protecting my eating disorder (p. 25).” Carolyn Costin & Gwen Schubert Grabb in 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder
“Eating disorders are emotional time bombs because all emotions are put on hold so that the person can concentrate solely on food. They also act as time bombs in our relationships. Other people cease to be as important as the relationship with food. Food becomes a secret friend or a hated enemy that no one else can understand (p. 26).” Gregory Jantz in Hope, Help, & Healing for Eating Disorders
“Central to healing is being able to focus outside yourself, to reduce your level of self-absorption. Being able to look at others as allies instead of competitors or enemies is vital to grasping reality. Not only do these attitudes allow you to see the world as it really is—and yourself as others see you—but they help you find other people who can interact with you, providing you with the support you need on your journey (p. 112).” Gregory Jantz in Hope, Help, & Healing for Eating Disorders
“Ed wanted me to lie to everyone who is closest to me (p. 25).” Jenni Schaeffer in Life Without Ed