Hey Sparklingwhite, this is something I have struggled with my whole life, I am 27 and just recently come to a realization, like as in within the last month, so I thought it would be appropriate to share with you. So as I mentioned I have been overweight my whole life and it is a struggle I have dealt with privately. Obviously everyone can see that I am overweight but they dont see the effect that it has on me. I can tell you that it affects my self worth and what I deem as my value. I have learned, over the last 5 years that I need to find my worth, value, and even define myself according to God. I know a lot of people have been saying this, but here is were mine differs. I wasnt struggling because of what I saw in magazines or what the world told me I needed to look like, I grew up in theatre and embarrassed my uniqueness as a stand out quality. But what I have realized is that even though it wasn't that blatant it was there. I think as much as people try not to or think they don't it is human nature to judge. We all have a "first impression" and what is that if not judging someone in the mere moments that you meet them. So being the big girl I found ways of making good "impressions" whether first or otherwise. I started to define myself in success in school and in work, even in church. I constantly needed words of affirmation to keep me afloat.
My big realization.... Even though I have learned and to some extent understand who Jesus says I am in Him I am still seeking confirmation everywhere else. When I realized that I also realized this area in my life, my weight and overeating and everything that goes along with it (because it's a lot), I never surrendered it to God. He already knows of course, but I haven't leaned on Him for it you know? So I gave it to Him. So now when I am going into binge eating and realize it I can focus on Him to help me through it, because as much as we don't want to admit it to ourselves those of us who binge eat have an addiction it's a compulsive behavior, I have learned I need to lean on Him to overcome this and He will be faithful to deliver me, and if weight comes off in the process awesome.
Sorry if that was a bit (or a massive) ramble!!
My big realization.... Even though I have learned and to some extent understand who Jesus says I am in Him I am still seeking confirmation everywhere else. When I realized that I also realized this area in my life, my weight and overeating and everything that goes along with it (because it's a lot), I never surrendered it to God. He already knows of course, but I haven't leaned on Him for it you know? So I gave it to Him. So now when I am going into binge eating and realize it I can focus on Him to help me through it, because as much as we don't want to admit it to ourselves those of us who binge eat have an addiction it's a compulsive behavior, I have learned I need to lean on Him to overcome this and He will be faithful to deliver me, and if weight comes off in the process awesome.
Sorry if that was a bit (or a massive) ramble!!
But if we know that what the Lord by His precious blood makes us inwardly and spiritually is the main thing, then emphasis on the outward won't be so great.
And maybe we won't have such a desire to do binge eating, either.