Easter for the Anorexic

It’s Easter Sunday. The sun is shining brightly, the daffodils are blooming outside, and the grass is finally starting to look green again.

You sit on a hard wooden pew in an old church sanctuary. You’re surrounded by a sea of people who seem genuinely joyful. They sing “Victory in Jesus” with loud voices. Your head just spins. Their cheerful voices echo throughout the entire sanctuary, but Satan’s voice is the only thing that you can hear right now.

Voice of Defeat

“That victory will never be yours,” Satan taunts you as you sing the words of the old hymn. “Conquering your current habits isn’t just pointless; it’s unwise. The calorie counting, the calorie burning, the calorie obsessing…those things keep you safe. Don’t bother trying to conquer those habits unless you want to look like a sumo wrestler for the rest of your life. Victory isn’t for you.”

You swear that he’s right. You don’t think that victory applies to you. It’s for the people who are singing “Victory in Jesus” right next to you and are meaning it. In your mind, the concept of victory is a myth. But the concept of fear is very real.

You worry about what your parents will say if they notice that you’re not enjoying the ham, rolls, and pie at lunch. You panic about what your siblings will say if they notice that you’re throwing out the Easter candy from the family egg hunt. You panic about stepping on the scale the day after Easter and seeing your weight increase by two ounces because you ate a few jellybeans before bed.

Victory Is Possible

For several years, that’s what my Easter looked like, too. In fact, that’s what my life looked like.

Church was just another place to play the comparison game. Holidays were just another occasion to hate on myself for eating sweets. Hosting company was just another opportunity to panic about when I would have time for my workout. 

Honestly, those things are still true for me—I still struggle! My priorities still aren’t straight. I have so much growing to do and so much priority rearranging to take care of.

But this is what I’ve gained since my anorexia days (besides a few pounds): Victory isn’t a myth. Victory applies to you if you belong to our victorious Lord and Savior.

Our Ultimate Victor

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we were regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:35-37 NASB)

I know that Easter may still be hard for you, even if you choose victory. Eating big meals, being surrounded by sweets, and having to make time for exercise is scary. But you’ll get through this—I promise. Don’t let Satan steal your victory. Don’t believe him when he tells you that you can’t conquer anorexia or that you’ll always struggle with food and exercise or that you’ll always feel like the fattest human on earth.

Jesus conquered Satan when He rose from the grave on Easter morning. He’s willing to help you overcome your anorexia. Freedom isn’t far, friends.

Have a wonderful Easter!