Alongside the usual challenges of an eating disorder, Christians with eating disorders often face unique faith-related struggles and questions. These are real and can be distressing, yet it can be difficult to find help with these issues. Professionals who work with eating disorders don’t always understand a Christian faith background, and faith leaders and communities don’t always understand eating disorders. (Though of course, some do, and many may be willing to learn.)
We highlight ten common struggles that Christians with eating disorders have shared and offer some thoughts that others found helpful. We hope that these might encourage you as you navigate this journey.
When we face suffering, it is common to ask ‘why?’ Christians with eating disorders sometimes wonder whether their eating disorder is a sin, or God’s punishment for their sin. Or they might question whether a loving God is even real, and if so, why God doesn’t take away their pain.
It’s OK to ask these questions – God’s people have done so throughout history. For example, the Psalms – the Bible’s hymn book – honestly express these struggles. In the Psalms, King David cries out:
‘How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?’ (Ps 13:1-2)
‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.’ (Ps 22:1-2)
Jesus echoed this anguished cry from the cross (Matt 27:46). And while most Psalms end with trust and hope, some remain unresolved – Psalm 88 ends with the poignant lament that ‘darkness is my closest friend’ (Ps 88:18).
So, asking these questions is not wrong. The Bible encourages us to do so honestly, bringing them to God. And it doesn’t promise quick or easy answers.
But it does offer hope. It makes very clear that our suffering is not always a result of our sin (Jn 9:1-3, Job). And even when our sin or poor choices play a part, it offers grace and forgiveness in Jesus. It promises that God cares and is with us amidst suffering, even when this is hard to see (Ps 121:1-2, 2 Cor 1:3-4, Heb 4:15, 13:5). And it offers reassurance that somehow – as with the greatest evil and suffering of Jesus’ cross – God will use it for good and ultimately bring it to an end (Rom 5:3-5, 8:13-38).
This can provide hope and help to keep going, as one person with an eating disorder shared:
‘My context is we live in a broken, fallen world. Crap happens, and [the eating disorder] is part of that. And it won’t be forever. And that – that gives me hope that it’s not forever. We’re not alone. And [God is] going to create meaning out of what we’re going through. And somehow, some way, it is making me more like Jesus, and it’s for my good. And I think if I didn’t have that, I couldn’t do it. I would – I would – I don’t know what I’d be doing.’
Even having ultimately moved away from Christian faith, another shared:
‘I am here for a reason, and I was created for a purpose, and…it’s that belief that then kind of grounds me in, I’m here for more than the [eating disorder]. I’m not here for a life – to put all my energy and time into becoming small and feeding into diet culture and all of that…I think if I can see outside of that and know that again, there’s meaning and purpose to my life and I can make a difference.’
People experiencing eating disorders often have a painful sense that they are not worth much as a person.¹ This can help lead to the eating disorder and can also result from it.
It’s OK to be honest about these feelings. And Christian faith has much to offer if you are struggling in this way. The Bible teaches that all people are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Ps 139:14) in the image of God, with great inherent worth (Gen 1:27-28). This is completely independent of any ability, achievement or appearance. We matter not because of anything we have done, but because of the God in whose image we are made. Although we are all damaged by the effects of the Fall, we are still God’s image bearers (Gen 9:6).
The Bible also has a lot to say about Christian identity. This can be hard to internalise when you’re struggling, and that’s OK. These resources invite you to take some time and space to reflect on who you are in Christ.
Many people with eating disorders have a painful sense that they are ‘not good enough’. For Christians, this can include a sense of not being a ‘good enough Christian’. They may also feel that God is angry with or disappointed in them because of their eating disorder.
The good news is that God doesn’t expect us to be ‘good enough’. He knows that in ourselves we are imperfect and has made provision for this in Christ – we simply need to admit our need and place our trust in Him. Being a Christian doesn’t mean that we suddenly become perfect. God’s Spirit gradually changes us to become more like Jesus, and we are called to keep in step with Him and to seek forgiveness when needed (2 Cor 3:18, 1 Jn 1:9). Yet God knows that we will not be perfected until we are with Him forever (1 Jn 3:2). Nothing about us surprises God or can separate us from His love in Jesus. He is always for us (1 Jn 1:9-2:2).
One Christian who had recovered from an eating disorder put it like this:
‘At the same time, we are more wicked than we could ever believe, but we are more loved than we could ever imagine…completely and utterly acceptable before God, because…of what Jesus has done…When I really get that grasp of grace, it’s like…it doesn’t matter what’s gone before or ahead. You know that you’re truly loved and that you can truly trust that everything is in His hands.’
People who are experiencing eating disorders can find it difficult to internalise God’s grace – that is, God’s unmerited love, acceptance and favour in Christ. Yet they can find this deeply healing when they encounter it. While we can’t force this encounter, some people have found that reflecting on Scripture and other teaching about grace has helped them. There are some ideas that might help you explore this further here.
It’s also important to recognise that feeling guilty or ‘not good enough’ doesn’t always mean that we’ve done something wrong or lack something. For example:
Sometimes cultural ideals and eating disorder thoughts can subtly become intertwined with how we think about being ‘good enough’. It can be difficult to untangle this amidst an eating disorder. For example, cultural images of the ‘ideal body’ might become part of how we think about being a ‘good Christian’.
One person who had an experienced an eating disorder shared her sense that:
When this happens, rather than seeking forgiveness, we often need help to recognise and work through it. This is especially relevant if you have experienced trauma or abuse – these experiences can induce guilt and shame, but they are not your fault. Seeking support from safe people who are experienced in this area can help you to process these feelings and begin to heal.
Many people find that their eating disorder offers a sense of safety or control amidst very real pain and insecurity. This can make it very difficult to let the eating disorder go, even when it comes at a high cost. And it does – eating disorders often lead to further shame, broken relationships, endangered physical health, and a sense of being trapped.
God knows and understands our need to feel safe. He offers to be our ‘safe place’, in contrast to the false safety of an eating disorder. Many Scriptures express this invitation – you might like to reflect on these resources.
Christians with eating disorders have found comfort in these promises.
Of course, it can be difficult to feel safe with anyone – including God – if your early experiences have taught you that people close to you can’t be trusted to be there for you, or if you have experienced trauma or abuse. This is a normal reaction, and it is not your fault. Part of eating disorder recovery can involve acknowledging this, while gradually learning to connect with God and with safe people. As you build healthy connections, you might find that your need to find safety in your eating disorder fades. The Blue Knot Foundation website also provides further trauma-related information and support.
‘I love being a Christian in this space of struggling with an eating disorder because I love that God understands this is not simple. It’s so complex. Everybody who rocks up with an eating disorder has a story and it’s nuanced and layered and it’s not just all of a sudden one day – it’s not like that. And I love that. God…sees that and He allows for that and He sees that bigger picture and He knows you’re not just an eating disorder. He sees the whole – He sees your pain, He knows your history. He knows how this has all come together. I love that.’
Exerting control over food and weight characterises some eating disorders. People experiencing an eating disorder may feel deeply guilty and ashamed when they feel that they have lost control in this area.
For Christians, Biblical concepts of self-control and self-denial can become mixed up in this dynamic. The Bible teaches that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23), and Jesus calls his followers to ‘deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’ (Matt 16:24). However, this is very different to the self-control and self-denial of an eating disorder. Unlike the control of an eating disorder, Biblical self-control and self-denial emerge within a context of grace and love, supported by the indwelling Holy Spirit. They take time to grow, and God loves us nonetheless. And they exist alongside the gift of rest (Matt 11:28-30; Ps 23).
It’s worth being clear about what Biblical self-control and self-denial are not.
People with eating disorders may resonate with the apostle Paul’s analogy that like an athlete in training, he ‘strike[s] a blow to [his] body and makes it [his] slave’ (1 Cor 9:27). However, applying this verse to eating disorder behaviours misunderstands Paul’s meaning. Elsewhere, Paul explains that while strict food rules that treat our body harshly might seem like a good way to avoid sin, they don’t work. In fact, they can do harm. He expresses this rather strongly:
Fasting is part of many religions, including some Christian traditions. Christian prayer and fasting can be a way of seeking and humbling ourselves before God or preparing ourselves for a religious event. It’s a way of building relationship, not a discipline for its own sake.
Being in contexts where fasting is practised can pose unique challenges for Christians with eating disorders. You might feel pressured to fast. Or worried about missing out or failing in your relationship with God if you don’t fast. You might feel this way even if you know deep down that fasting isn’t wise for you. Or fasting might become a way of hiding your eating disorder.
We know that restricting food intake – whatever the reason – can trigger eating disorders or relapse in people who are at risk. For people who are currently experiencing an eating disorder, fasting can also be medically dangerous. Most religious communities where fasting is routine make exceptions for medical reasons, like eating disorders. For many people experiencing or at risk of eating disorders, engaging in a food fast is unlikely to be wise – please don’t do this without guidance and support from a healthcare professional who is experienced with eating disorders. If you do want to participate with your community, you might consider giving up something else, like social media, instead of food – this is another way of giving up something that you turn to regularly in order to focus on God.
Jesus talks about fasting, but he never commands us to fast. He prioritises our wellbeing over religious ritual. When other people got angry with Jesus’ disciples for picking and eating grain on the Sabbath (a religious day of rest), Jesus responded that God ‘desire[s] mercy, not sacrifice’. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, could this reflect that Jesus’ heart is for your wellbeing over religious acts like fasting? Perhaps instead of fasting, taking steps towards recovery, like following a meal plan, might represent a costly act of worship (Rom 12:1-2)?
It’s common for people who are experiencing eating disorders to feel uncomfortable eating in social settings. Church social events often involve food. And the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion (or Mass, the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, depending on which tradition you attend) involves food and drink. For some people this can feel terrifying, even though it’s a meaningful way that they connect with their faith.
This can be hard and is one reason that people experiencing eating disorders often withdraw socially. Remember – God understands and loves you, regardless of what you feel that you can or cannot participate in. Yet withdrawing can limit opportunities to connect with other people when you might need it the most. And as people with eating disorders move towards recovery, they sometimes find participating in Communion particularly meaningful.
If you feel comfortable sharing how you’re feeling with one or more people in your faith community, you might like to direct them to the guidance on this website to help them as they support you. You might also like to share your struggle with your eating disorder healthcare team, so that they can help you gradually become more comfortable eating in social situations.
Faith communities can offer an invaluable source of support to people experiencing eating disorders. Unfortunately, however, they sometimes respond in ways that are unhelpful. These aren’t mutually exclusive – the same person or community may respond in some ways that are helpful, as well as others that are not. Sometimes, eating disorders also resist even helpful support. Although you don’t need to accept support that you don’t want, it is worth being honest with yourself if this is happening.
If you are finding your faith community’s response unhelpful, can you identify why? Not all unhelpful responses are intentional, though these can still do harm. You might like to consider some possibilities:
Some Christians are concerned about seeking mental health support from professionals who do not share their faith. There can be a variety of reasons for this. They might want to talk about their faith in treatment, but be unsure whether that’s OK, or worried that they might make their healthcare provider feel uncomfortable. They might be afraid that if they talk about their faith, they will be misunderstood, judged, or considered crazy. Or they might worry that they will receive treatment that challenges their Christian beliefs.
You might find it reassuring to know that there is increasing evidence and awareness that religion and spirituality are relevant to health. Healthcare providers are expected to respect their clients’ beliefs and cultures and not to impose their own worldview upon them. Mental healthcare professionals should know not to assume that religious beliefs and experiences that they find unusual are symptoms of mental illness. This means, for example, that if you tell them that you believe that ‘God said’ something, they shouldn’t immediately assume that you’re ‘crazy’. Instead, they should consider whether this belief is consistent with your cultural and faith background.
If your healthcare provider doesn’t respect your Christian beliefs, consider looking for one who does. Do be honest with yourself about why you want to change healthcare providers, though. Eating disorder treatment is often hard, and it’s important to persevere to see a benefit. If you might be disengaging to avoid treatment, be honest with yourself about this.
Some Christians would prefer to see a healthcare provider who shares their faith. Eating disorder treatment is quite a specialised area, so it is important to see someone who has eating disorder expertise. It might be hard to find someone who is both a Christian and has this training. If so, you might like to consider seeing an eating disorder professional who respects your faith, while seeking the spiritual support you need from members of your faith community.
If you do find a Christian healthcare professional with eating disorder expertise and would like to discuss religious and spiritual aspects as part of your treatment, tell them. Ask them whether this is something that they’re comfortable with and how they approach it. They’re likely to feel more comfortable to discuss this if they know that it’s what you want. Of course, if you don’t want to discuss religious and spiritual aspects and a healthcare provider is doing so, tell them that, too – they should respect this.
1. Krauss S, Dapp LC, Orth U. The Link Between Low Self-Esteem and Eating Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies. Clinical Psychological Science. 2023;11(6):1141-1158. doi: 10.1177/21677026221144255
