I was seventeen years old and obsessed with the thin-is-beautiful syndrome. Isn't that what TV, Hollywood and all the magazine adds tell us? If I'm thin I’ll be beautiful, glamorous and happy. But the image of perfection created by our culture soon became a monster that controlled my life.
A friend told me how I could eat anything I wanted, lose however much weight as I wanted to and then not gain an ounce. It was so simple, just by self-induced vomiting. Within months bulimia became my choice of weight control, an effective eight management tool. As the pressures of college increased and I ate to relieve the pressure, my bulimia got worse. I added other popular tools to stay slim, alcohol, cigarettes, diet pills, laxatives and diuretics all came to my aid.
After years of effort to create a perfect body instead I created a monster that controlled my life. I saw myself as I was, by day Ms. Jekyll, a college graduate and a smart business woman on the move. By night the Monster Hyde, consumed pounds and pounds of food only to be followed by the high drama of a bathroom purge--head in toilet and other forms of elimination. For seventeen years this monster called bulimia tortured me. With a many-stranded whip made of guilt, shame, fear, worthlessness, weakness and self-hatred I scourged myself.
One day I met a godly man who invited me to church. There I faced the truth of who I was and how I dishonored the God-given-gift of a healthy body. This marvelous creation was designed to be a temple of the Living God. I made a cesspool of it.
In bitter confession, humble repentance and faith-filled acceptance I gave my life to Jesus Christ, claimed him as my Lord and Savior. I asked forgiveness for self-centered pride and desire for popularity. I begged God for strength to win the battle over this self-created monster.
Soon a strange thing came into view--I began to have a never-before desire to do crafts. My mind shifted from being thin and beautiful to being creative and productive. Without realizing it, food took a lesser place and the need to purge let up. A desire grew in me to honor God with all I had and was. I hungered to grow spiritually, which I did with the help of my friend and my church family. Something else grew--a desire within me to help others who were being held captive by this gluttonous and tingeing monster. I became an inspirational speaker and founder of an eating disorder ministry called “Olive
Branch Outreach.”
Now I'm advertised as “A Bulimia Survivor.” It’s said of me, “Today Kim reaches out to hundreds of women to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and to make Him known by presenting Biblical solutions and teachings as part of her food-disorder healing ministry.” In 2007 “I’m Beautiful? Why Can’t I See It?” was published, a healing bible study for women with eating disorders.
God turned my life-threatening food disorder into a pathway to service. I pray others escape this life-threatening monster. I praise God for his miracle in my life and that I can pass it on to others. God is good an has a plan and purpose for everyone (Jeremiah 29:11).
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Conquering Negative Thoughts
Let's look at the third factor that cause negative thinking--our flesh or humanly nature.
Literally, flesh is our physical nature, the muscular and fatty tissue parts of the body, which are separate from our spirit or soul. Figuratively, flesh is our human nature. It is equated to our fallen, sinful, and dysfunctional nature (Gal. 5:17; Jude 23)—humanity’s natural orientation away from God. The moment we are born, the struggle with our flesh begins, because we are born slaves to sin (John 8:34). We are less able to choose right.
The flesh is our desires. Desires are good in themselves, such as desires for food, sleep, and sex; desires to achieve and succeed. There are proper ways to satisfy each of these desires, and there are also divinely imposed limits. It is when we are tempted that we usually cross those limits. This is where our opponent, Satan, strikes. He takes advantage of our bent toward doing precisely what God would not want us to do. James said, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed (James 1:14-15).
Until you understand your fleshly nature, conquering toxic thoughts will be hindered. When our flesh dominates the mind, our thinking is compromised. Scripture states, “Those who live according to the sinful nature [the flesh] have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Rom. 8:5).
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
Literally, flesh is our physical nature, the muscular and fatty tissue parts of the body, which are separate from our spirit or soul. Figuratively, flesh is our human nature. It is equated to our fallen, sinful, and dysfunctional nature (Gal. 5:17; Jude 23)—humanity’s natural orientation away from God. The moment we are born, the struggle with our flesh begins, because we are born slaves to sin (John 8:34). We are less able to choose right.
The flesh is our desires. Desires are good in themselves, such as desires for food, sleep, and sex; desires to achieve and succeed. There are proper ways to satisfy each of these desires, and there are also divinely imposed limits. It is when we are tempted that we usually cross those limits. This is where our opponent, Satan, strikes. He takes advantage of our bent toward doing precisely what God would not want us to do. James said, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed (James 1:14-15).
Until you understand your fleshly nature, conquering toxic thoughts will be hindered. When our flesh dominates the mind, our thinking is compromised. Scripture states, “Those who live according to the sinful nature [the flesh] have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Rom. 8:5).
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Fighting for Our Mind
The week before last I said negative and toxic thinking is influenced by three different, but related, ways: through the world, through spiritual warfare, and through our own flesh--our own nature. Last week I focused on how “the world” can be a source of negative thinking. Today I want to talk about the influence of spiritual warfare.
When we speak of spiritual warfare we are speaking about Satan himself. There are many popular ideas about this evil spirit being. Some think Satan is not real but rather a personification of the wickedness that abides in the world. Others contend that a human being can be under the control or the influence of spiritual forces such as demons. Many Christians who believe in Satan in general do not identify him as being the enemy of their personal lives. Or, they believe because they are Christian, they cannot be affected. This is a lie.
Paul told the Corinthians he was not unaware of Satan’s schemes (2 Cor. 2:11). In C. S. Lewis’ classic book The Screwtape Letters, the demon Screwtape teaches his young protégé, Wormwood, the art of snaring a new Christian. He writes, “Our policy, for this moment, is to conceal ourselves…I do not think you will have much difficulty in keeping the patient in the dark. The fact that “devils” are predominantly comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that he therefore cannot believe in you. ”
Satan is described as the ruler of a host of forces who hold humanity in slavery apart from God (Eph. 2:1-2). Scripture is clear the enemy isn’t one demon but an entire legion of evil spirits following Satan’s commands (Mark 5:1-20). He creates this bondage by influencing individuals to disobey God, to sin. If Satan doesn’t attack Christians, why are we instructed to put on the full armor of God so that we will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan (Eph. 6:1, TLB)?
The mind is Satan's most frequent target of attacks. Scripture supports this. Satan incited David to take a census of Israel (1 Chron. 21:1). Judas’s thoughts of betrayal against Jesus came from Satan (John 13.2). When Judas realized what he did, he took his own life. Suicide is a tragically permanent choice to a temporary problem, which I think best describes Satan’s modem operandi.
Satan deliberately attacks our thought process which ultimately affects our emotions and physical body. Did you know your body reacts to every negative thought because your brain releases chemicals that make your body feel bad? Surely you’ve noticed how your muscles tense, your heart beats faster, and your hands sweat when under negative pressure.
Why would Satan attack our minds? Because our minds are the part of the image of God where God communicates with us and reveals his will: “Be made new in the attitude of your minds; put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:23-24). God transforms ours lives by renewing our minds, which he does through his truth—the Word of God (John 17:17).
Unknowingly, we embrace the devil’s mind games and accept them as truth. Jesus said, “The devil was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him for he is a liar and the father of all lies” (John 8:44).
Lies are very powerful. If Satan can get you to believe a lie, then he can begin to work in your life to lead you away from God and into sin. When we believe the devil’s lie instead of God’s words of truth, we are powerless to do what is right. This is why he attacks our minds. Our only defense is the inspired Word of God. Faith in God’s truth equals victory; faith in Satan’s lies equals defeat and destruction. “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Ps. 145:18).
Our spiritual lives are under attack everyday. It is a war for our hearts and minds and bodies—our very souls. Our plan must be to make the enemy sorry he ever picked on us! Are you ready to fight for your heart, mind, and soul?
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
When we speak of spiritual warfare we are speaking about Satan himself. There are many popular ideas about this evil spirit being. Some think Satan is not real but rather a personification of the wickedness that abides in the world. Others contend that a human being can be under the control or the influence of spiritual forces such as demons. Many Christians who believe in Satan in general do not identify him as being the enemy of their personal lives. Or, they believe because they are Christian, they cannot be affected. This is a lie.
Paul told the Corinthians he was not unaware of Satan’s schemes (2 Cor. 2:11). In C. S. Lewis’ classic book The Screwtape Letters, the demon Screwtape teaches his young protégé, Wormwood, the art of snaring a new Christian. He writes, “Our policy, for this moment, is to conceal ourselves…I do not think you will have much difficulty in keeping the patient in the dark. The fact that “devils” are predominantly comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that he therefore cannot believe in you. ”
Satan is described as the ruler of a host of forces who hold humanity in slavery apart from God (Eph. 2:1-2). Scripture is clear the enemy isn’t one demon but an entire legion of evil spirits following Satan’s commands (Mark 5:1-20). He creates this bondage by influencing individuals to disobey God, to sin. If Satan doesn’t attack Christians, why are we instructed to put on the full armor of God so that we will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan (Eph. 6:1, TLB)?
The mind is Satan's most frequent target of attacks. Scripture supports this. Satan incited David to take a census of Israel (1 Chron. 21:1). Judas’s thoughts of betrayal against Jesus came from Satan (John 13.2). When Judas realized what he did, he took his own life. Suicide is a tragically permanent choice to a temporary problem, which I think best describes Satan’s modem operandi.
Satan deliberately attacks our thought process which ultimately affects our emotions and physical body. Did you know your body reacts to every negative thought because your brain releases chemicals that make your body feel bad? Surely you’ve noticed how your muscles tense, your heart beats faster, and your hands sweat when under negative pressure.
Why would Satan attack our minds? Because our minds are the part of the image of God where God communicates with us and reveals his will: “Be made new in the attitude of your minds; put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:23-24). God transforms ours lives by renewing our minds, which he does through his truth—the Word of God (John 17:17).
Unknowingly, we embrace the devil’s mind games and accept them as truth. Jesus said, “The devil was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him for he is a liar and the father of all lies” (John 8:44).
Lies are very powerful. If Satan can get you to believe a lie, then he can begin to work in your life to lead you away from God and into sin. When we believe the devil’s lie instead of God’s words of truth, we are powerless to do what is right. This is why he attacks our minds. Our only defense is the inspired Word of God. Faith in God’s truth equals victory; faith in Satan’s lies equals defeat and destruction. “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Ps. 145:18).
Our spiritual lives are under attack everyday. It is a war for our hearts and minds and bodies—our very souls. Our plan must be to make the enemy sorry he ever picked on us! Are you ready to fight for your heart, mind, and soul?
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Source of Negative Thinking
Last week I talked about how toxic thinking is influenced by three different, but related, ways: through the world, through spiritual warfare, and through our own flesh--our own nature.Today I want to focus on how “the world” can be a source of negative thinking. “The world” touches everyone in many different ways. Worldliness is the attitude that places, self, or things at the center of one’s aspirations and activities.
Secular usually means “belonging to this age or this world.” Worldliness, or secularism, is a worldview or lifestyle oriented toward the irreligious rather than the sacred, towards the natural rather than supernatural. It is the ungodly aspects of our culture, peer pressure, values, traditions, what is in, what is uncool, customs, philosophies and attitudes.
Secularism is guilty of having “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).
Although believers are told not to be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2) we nonetheless are influenced by it. Most Christians live in two different worlds: the one on Sunday morning and the one that includes rest of the week. In practice, both worlds clash. Our disposition, temperament and habits are manipulated through the workplace, media and entertainment industries, advertising, the education system, peer groups; world views and philosophies. No doubt our minds are more at risk now than ever.
If we follow the world’s ways, we miss God’s blessings. Jesus’s disciple John said, “Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father” (1 John 2:15, Msg).
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
Secular usually means “belonging to this age or this world.” Worldliness, or secularism, is a worldview or lifestyle oriented toward the irreligious rather than the sacred, towards the natural rather than supernatural. It is the ungodly aspects of our culture, peer pressure, values, traditions, what is in, what is uncool, customs, philosophies and attitudes.
Secularism is guilty of having “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).
Although believers are told not to be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2) we nonetheless are influenced by it. Most Christians live in two different worlds: the one on Sunday morning and the one that includes rest of the week. In practice, both worlds clash. Our disposition, temperament and habits are manipulated through the workplace, media and entertainment industries, advertising, the education system, peer groups; world views and philosophies. No doubt our minds are more at risk now than ever.
If we follow the world’s ways, we miss God’s blessings. Jesus’s disciple John said, “Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father” (1 John 2:15, Msg).
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
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