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).

“Tasting the Joy of Eating to Live Rather than Living to Eat”
PERSEVERE in the new life and identity to which God has called me.

Ganing A Healthy Relationship With Food — Step 8 from The Sam James Institute on Vimeo.

Memorize: James 1:12-13 (ESV), “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.’” As you memorize this passage reflect upon these key points:

  • “Blessed” – The place where we experience the fullness of God’s blessing is with God more than outside trials.
  • “Remains steadfast” – We do not have to “overcome” or “conquer.” We are merely called to remain faithful.
  • “Under trial” – The temptations that call us back to our old eating habits would be among these trials.
  • “Crown of life” – The “life” promised by the desires for thinness or comfort eating are offered to us in Christ.
  • “Let no one say” – If unhealthy food rules convince us to turn from God, they separates us from our source of hope.

Teaching Notes

“Negative body image is known to be the most difficult symptom to treat and the last to heal in recovery from eating disorder… Our goal is not that you stop caring altogether about your appearance, but that you come to accept what you can and can’t change without compromising your health or betraying your soul (p. 240-241).” Carolyn Costin & Gwen Schubert Grabb in 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder

“I’m at my goal weight and in the most dangerous place for a dieting success story. Hitting your goal weight is a blessing entangled with the curse. The curse being the assumption that freedom now means returning back to all those things we’ve given up for the past months (p. 177).” Lysa Terkeurst in Made to Crave

“I was hungry. I walked over to the food, and I ate a reasonable amount. I didn’t try to show Ed who was boss by eating a huge amount of food. And after I ate, I had a great time. The party became about the people, and the food became part of the background (p. 56).” Jenni Schaeffer in Life Without Ed

“Kathy is leaving a legacy for her children. She is breaking a family pattern in teaching her children to feel emotional pain and deal with it. What a gift to give to the next generation (p. 148)!… Giving up weight and food obsession involves moving into unfamiliar territory where wait no longer protects you from attention, intimacy, and vulnerability (p. 228).” Stephen Arterburn and Linda Mintle in Lose It for Life

“Most everyone who recovers goes through periods of feeling discouraged and hopeless. After all, a change which requires you to completely reevaluate your current lifestyle, overcome significant obstacles, step out of your familiar patterns, and proceed into an uncertain future, could not occur without some self-doubt, fear, and setbacks along the way (p. 27).” Carolyn Costin & Gwen Schubert Grabb in 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder

“I have learned I am stronger than I think and that strength isn’t in staying thin, but in getting healthy (p. 131).” Gregory Jantz in Hope, Help, & Healing for Eating Disorders