It has been estimated that 30 million Americans will struggle with an eating disorder sometime within their lifetime according to U.S. News and World Report. Whether we struggle with binge eating, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or another eating disorder, there’s hope! These Twelve Steps will enable us to work through our issues and heal from eating disorders.
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- Open our hearts to God’s power to free us from the grip of food addiction.
There is great power in realizing that we are powerless.
“We ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2 Cor. 4:7).
- Open our hearts to God’s power to free us from the grip of food addiction.
- Allow God to join us in the powerful emotions behind our eating disorder.
God’s love for us is great—not even an eating disorder can separate us from His love.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love” (Rom. 8:38). - Rest in God’s care for every decision and eating habit.
We live out our faith by turning everything over to God, including our hurts and habits.
“From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help” (Ps. 61:2). - Gain a true picture of how God sees us.
Taking an inventory of our lives will help us to come face to face with the truth of ourselves.
“Keep me from lying to myself” (Ps. 119:29). - Experience the healing that begins with confession.
To heal, we must confess our sins to God and another person.
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (Jas. 5:16). - Get ready for repentance from sins expressed in unhealthy eating.
Philippians 2:13 tells us “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
Now is the time to get rid of our excuses, resistance, and fears. - Allow God’s Spirit to fix our food addictions.
While we can’t heal from eating disorders in our own strength, we can ask the Holy Spirit to remove our shortcomings.
“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit” (Zec. 4:6). - Create a list of people our eating disorders have affected.
Paul encourages us to be truthful “Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body” (Eph. 4:25).
Let us be honest; we have hurt others by our words and actions. - Restore relationships damaged by our sins (when possible) and experience a clean slate.
There are relationships we’ve hurt—making amends will help to restore them.
“Leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God” (Matt. 5:24). - Review daily the defects in us that hinder a healthy life with God and others.
Our recovery from eating disorders requires a daily evaluation of our thoughts, words, and actions.
The psalmist wrote, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you” (Ps. 19:14). - Grow closer to God through prayer and meditation.
A tool for our recovery is prayer and meditation on God’s Word. We also need to apply it to our lives.
“If you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it” (Jas. 1:25). - Bless others with the blessing of healing from eating disorders.
1 Timothy 4:15 says, “Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.”
As we live out these 12 Steps in our lives, it will inspire others to make changes in theirs.
The Life Recovery Workbook for Eating Disorders will give you the steps you’ll need to take to heal from an eating disorder. For help finding a counselor or Life Recovery Group in your area, please call 800-639-5433 today.