Monthly Archives: June 2024

eating disorder

Overcoming Eating Disorders: A Healing Journey Through Faith

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Amy sat in the pews of her small London church, fidgeting nervously as the visiting speaker took the stage.
Her church had announced that the speaker, also a young woman, had recovered from severe eating problems.
This piqued Amy’s interest.
For months, Amy had been struggling silently with her own eating disorder, feeling isolated and hopeless.
The speaker introduced herself as Sarah and began to share her journey.
She spoke about how she had found a key to her recovery in the Bible, using a five-step plan that transformed her life.
Amy listened intently, hanging on to every word, desperate for a way out of her own darkness.

June: Pulling Out the Weeds

Sarah’s first step was about pulling out the weeds. “Weeds,” she explained, “are the lies and negative thoughts that choke out the truth and life God wants to plant in us.”
Sarah encouraged everyone to identify these lies and replace them with God’s truth.
Amy went home and started to journal.
She wrote down every negative thought she had about herself and her body, then found corresponding scriptures to counter those lies.
Every time a negative thought crept in; she would read those scriptures out loud. It was difficult at first, but slowly, she began to feel a shift.
The weeds were being uprooted.

July: Fertilizing the Soil

The second step was fertilizing the soil.
Sarah described this as nourishing oneself with the Word of God.
She emphasized the importance of reading the Bible daily, praying, and surrounding oneself with supportive people.
Amy committed to reading her Bible every morning.
She joined a small Bible study group at her church and started attending regularly.
The fellowship and shared insights helped her feel less alone.
As she soaked in the Word, she began to feel spiritually nourished and stronger.

August: Rain

In August, Sarah talked about the importance of rain—representing the refreshing and cleansing power of the Holy Spirit.
She spoke about how the Holy Spirit helps to wash away the past and renew the mind.
Amy prayed daily for the Holy Spirit to fill her.
She also found comfort in worship music, which helped her to feel God’s presence and peace.
The rain of the Spirit brought tears and healing, washing away old wounds, and bringing a sense of renewal.

September: Sunshine

September’s step was about sunshine—letting God’s love shine on her.
Sarah explained that just as plants need sunlight to grow, we need to bask in God’s love to thrive.
Amy made a conscious effort to spend time in prayer, not just asking for things but simply being in God’s presence and feeling His love.
She took walks in nature, appreciating the beauty around her and feeling connected to the Creator.
The warmth of God’s love began to fill her heart, driving out the darkness.

October: The Harvest

October was about the harvest.
Sarah explained that this is when we start to see the fruits of our labour, the tangible evidence of God’s work in our lives.
Amy noticed changes in herself.
She was more at peace, her mind was clearer, and her relationship with food was improving.
She no longer feared meals but began to see them as a source of nourishment. Her hunger for food, which she had suppressed for so long, started to return. She thanked God for the progress, acknowledging that the seeds of truth and love were bearing fruit.

November: A New Hunger

By November, Amy had developed a new hunger—not just for food but for life. She found joy in cooking and sharing meals with friends and family.
Her physical health improved, and she felt stronger and more energetic.
She also felt a deeper spiritual hunger, a desire to know God more and to live fully in His purpose.

Christmas: A Wonderful Dinner

Christmas arrived, and with it, the culmination of Amy’s journey.
She sat down to a beautiful Christmas dinner with her family, feeling a profound sense of gratitude.
The meal was a feast, but more than that, it was a celebration of her recovery and God’s faithfulness.
It was the best meal she had ever had—not just because of the food, but because of the healing and joy that filled her heart.
As Amy looked around the table, she whispered a prayer of thanks.
She had come a long way, from the darkness of her eating disorder to the light of recovery.
She knew that the journey was not over, but she was no longer afraid.
She had the tools she needed, and she had faith that God’s Word would continue to heal and sustain her.
Amy’s story spread through her church, bringing hope to others who were struggling.
She began to share her own testimony, just as Sarah had, helping others to find the same healing she had found.
And every time she shared, she reminded herself and others:
“Healing power is at work in me. The Word of God is life to me. It is medicine, healing, and health to all my flesh.”
Amy never forgot the words that had brought her healing.
They were a constant reminder of God’s love and power, a testament to the truth that His Word heals.
And with every step she took, she carried that truth with her, living out her new life with joy and gratitude.

http://www.tonyegar.com

A fictional story.

Olivia’s Fresh Start

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Olivia, a 22-year-old woman from Adelaide, South Australia, had faced a rough family life growing up and was now recovering from a broken relationship.
Her ex-boyfriend, a devout Christian, had left her feeling lost and disillusioned.
Seeking help, she began sessions with Eva, a psychologist known for her unique approach.
Eva had studied Christian teachings extensively but presented them as ordinary wisdom to better suit Olivia, who was not a Christian.
Over five weeks, Eva aimed to guide Olivia towards clarity and healing.

Week 1: Planting Seeds

In their first session, Eva began by getting to know Olivia’s background.
She shared simple yet profound wisdom about resilience and self-worth, echoing the teachings of faith without religious context.
“You know, Olivia,” Eva said, “sometimes life plants seeds of faith in us through our struggles. It’s like practicing martial arts; each challenge strengthens us.”
Olivia, though skeptical, felt a glimmer of hope.
She left the session feeling a slight shift in her perspective, like a small seed of faith had been planted in her heart.

Week 2: A New Day

The second week brought more introspection.
Eva talked about the concept of renewal.
“Every day is a new day,” she explained, “and with each sunrise, we have the opportunity to leave the past behind.”
Olivia, recalling her painful breakup and rough childhood, struggled with this idea.
“It’s like a death process,” Eva continued, “letting go of old wounds to embrace new beginnings.”
Olivia started to see the truth in Eva’s words and began to feel the stirrings of a fresh start.

Week 3: Justice and Clarity

In the third session, Eva discussed the idea of justice and inner clarity.
“Our justice system is based on arguments, but true justice comes from within,” she said.
She encouraged Olivia to look beyond the noise of her past and focus on her true self. “You have to look ahead of the noise,” Eva advised.
This session helped Olivia gain a clearer vision of her life, free from the shadows of her past.

Week 4: Provision and Blessings

Eva spoke about provision and blessings during their fourth session.
She explained how in the Old Testament, blessings were for the community, but they also applied to individuals.
“All provision, all you need, is being released to you by your spirit to follow where your true self is going,” Eva reassured.
Olivia began to understand that she could find strength and resources within herself. She felt a growing sense of empowerment and possibility.

Week 5: Deep Healing

In the final session, Eva focused on deep healing.
She talked about the importance of vision and hearing in the healing process.
“There is a deep healing of vision and hearing that can transform your life,” she said.
As they delved into Olivia’s fears and hopes, something shifted within Olivia.
She felt an overwhelming sense of clarity and cleanliness, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
Eva’s wisdom had finally resonated deeply, allowing Olivia to embrace a new beginning.

The Final Session: A Fresh Start

At the end of their fifth session, Olivia experienced a profound moment of clarity.
“You know, Eva,” she said, “I feel like I’ve been carrying a curse, a weight from my past, but now I feel…free.”
Eva smiled, knowing that Olivia had reached a pivotal point in her healing journey. “Sometimes,” Eva said, “we don’t realize the power of letting go and embracing our true selves. You’ve done that, Olivia.”

Olivia left the session feeling fresh and renewed, ready to start her life anew.
The wisdom Eva imparted, derived from Christian teachings but presented in a secular manner, had brought Olivia the clarity and healing she desperately needed.

Reflection on Curses and Healing

This story illustrates how the burdens of the past, often perceived as curses, can be lifted through introspection, wisdom, and healing.
Eva’s approach, blending ordinary wisdom with profound truths, helped Olivia transform her life.
Both Olivia and Eva saw how understanding and embracing one’s inner strength could break the chains of past curses, leading to a fresh and empowered future.

A fictional story.

http://www.tonyegar.com

Barbara’s Idea for Her Marriage

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Barbara sat at her desk in the Hobart office, tapping away at her keyboard.
The Tasmanian autumn sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on her workspace.
It was nearly lunchtime, and Barbara looked forward to her daily break with Rose.
They had developed a pleasant routine of eating lunch together, sharing stories about their lives and work.

As noon approached, Barbara grabbed her lunch and headed to the break room.
Rose was already there, setting out her meal.
They exchanged smiles and settled into their usual spots.

“How was your weekend, Rose?” Barbara asked, genuinely curious.

Rose beamed. “Oh, it was wonderful. Church was especially moving this week. The sermon was about giving to World Vision.
The pastor spoke about how giving to the poor brings blessings into your life.”

Barbara nodded politely.
She had grown used to Rose’s church anecdotes, finding them both interesting and inspiring.
“That sounds lovely,” she said.

Rose leaned in, her voice softening. “You know, Barbara, since I started giving to the poor, my marriage has improved so much.
My husband and I are closer than ever.
It’s like a blessing for our relationship.”

Barbara felt a twinge of curiosity.
Her own marriage had hit a rough patch recently.
There was love, but the spark seemed to be fading.
She wondered if there might be some truth to Rose’s words.

The rest of the week passed quickly.
Barbara mulled over the idea of giving to the poor.
By Friday, she decided to sponsor a child in Africa through World Vision.
She filled out the necessary forms, feeling a strange sense of hope and anticipation.

The following week, Barbara noticed a subtle shift at home.
Her husband, Michael, seemed more attentive and affectionate.
He asked about her day, offered to help with dinner, and even suggested they go for a walk together.
Barbara was amazed at the transformation.

During their next lunch break, Barbara shared her experience with Rose.
“I took your advice and started sponsoring a child through World Vision,” she said. “
And you won’t believe it, but Michael’s attitude has changed completely.
He’s more loving and considerate.”

Rose smiled knowingly. “That’s wonderful, Barbara.
It’s amazing how helping others can bring blessings into our own lives.”

Barbara couldn’t help but wonder if there was some unseen force at work.
She had always believed in kindness and generosity, but this felt different.
It was as if someone or something was helping her and Michael find their way back to each other.

Over the next few weeks, Barbara continued to notice positive changes in her marriage.
She and Michael communicated more openly and found joy in each other’s company again.
She felt more passionate about her relationship and less frustrated by the little things that used to bother her.

Barbara started to read “Improve Your Marriage In Six Speed Weeks,” a book Rose had recommended.
The book emphasized proper communication, understanding your partner’s love language, and keeping the romance alive.
Barbara practiced these new skills, and her marriage blossomed even more.

“Do you want to improve your marriage without going to therapy or counselling, and still get the results you are craving?” the book began.
Barbara was sceptical at first but found the advice practical and effective.
“Are you looking for a more passionate relationship?
Do you sometimes feel like your partner doesn’t love you?
Are you often frustrated because you can’t express yourself fully?”
The questions resonated deeply with her.

By the fourth week, Barbara felt a renewed sense of connection with Michael. They spent more quality time together, shared their dreams and fears, and supported each other in ways they hadn’t in years.
She marvelled at how a simple act of kindness had transformed her life.

Reflecting on her journey, Barbara realized that being a good wife wasn’t about outdated notions or servitude.
It was about being kind, perceptive, and sympathetic, while also receiving the same level of support and attention from her spouse.
Her marriage had become a partnership based on shared goals and mutual respect.

Barbara knew that marriage would always have its challenges, but she felt confident in their ability to navigate them together.
She was grateful for Rose’s friendship and the lessons she had learned.
And as she looked forward to the future, Barbara knew that her marriage would remain constant and vibrant, filled with the warmth and love she had always desired.

A fictional story.

www.tonyegar.com