My soul is malnourished

[iloveme]

I have recently come to the conclusion that my soul is malnourished and this realisation was a biggy for me, I have been hungry for God all along and because I didn't know him I had no idea of this and I feel that this is one of the reasons I overeat, all along I have been trying to fill a void that can only be filled by Christ!

Was interested to know if anyone else here felt the same way?

Katie x

[Snuz]

Well, I'm not a christian, but I definitely feel that my closeness of my connection with God affects how well I'm doing and hence how disordered my thinking which follows how disordered my behaviors are. It's all connected. And I personally think that if we -- as recovering people -- knew how beloved we were in the eyes of God we would probably not have these problems at all. Good job on the work you're doing.

[SarahMichelle]

Katie, I think you have hit on something that many many people have wrong with them and never realize. It is key to a lot of problems people have going on. We all have that hole in us and attempt to fill it with many things-- whether its food, e.d.s, alcohol, sex, drugs, whatever, to fill that void. The thing is, it can only be PROPERLY filled with Jesus. Thats how we were MADE.
Do I feel that way? Yes, absolutely. And I even know the reason its there, and what the solution is (Jesus.) And I'm even working like crazy to fill it with Jesus. But I don't think we can ever have enouch Jesus until we get to heaven. I'm deeply in love with him at this point, and totally crazy about him, but my need for him will never be totally met until heaven.
Good for you for realizing what the real problem is--that's awesome.
:challenge So, what are you going to do about it?

PS I have a little blog I've been writing about God, if you care to read it sometime, email me at Everyoneinside@yahoo.com and i'll give you the address if you want

[newsoul]

i am not a christian either but i know that when i meditate i feel an unexplainable amount of happiness. spirituality has helped me a lot through the recovery process and i definitely recommend it.

[kikiu]

:gimmehug I am very glad that you made this realization! :happy

Do you need help on how to "seek God" in your life?
Do you have any ideas?
Need suggestions?



Because, we all know: It's one big step to have a realization, but it's another big step to put forth the action!

[violet_star]

Katie, I am so proud of you for coming to that realisation. I think you have definitely grasped at a profound truth.

I have never articulated this notion and yet I do remember acquiring something of that sense last holidays when I was looking back over my old journals from when I was struggling the most intensely with AN. I was struck by how a consistent thread interwoven through all my writings was that I viewed my ED as a salvation, as delivery from my sins and wrongdoings. I had the inexplicable conception that restricting, whittling myself away, was a form of atonement. The presence of ritual as an essential accompaniment to an ED also has religious connotations. The parallels are rather uncanny.

It is interesting to see that for you, your overeating was symptomatic of your spiritual hunger, and that for me, my self denial and deprivation through AN was perhaps a manifestation of my need spiritual salvation and desire for the deliverance from sins that comes through Christ, not EDs.

It almost raises questions regarding whether EDs are indeed partially spiritual diseases. While I wont go as far as to undermine the complex array of physiological, emotional, psychological and biological factors, there seems to be a definite case for spiritual need as a contributing factor.

Thank you for sharing your insight. I truly hope that you will be able to fill that void and encounter true fulfilment. I have heard it said that Jesus is living water and that if you accept him, you will have a spring of living water within you and never be thirsty again. I suppose this notion can be equally applied to EDs. Thirst, hunger, metaphorically very similar.

If you want to talk more or if you would like to share practical suggestions for implementing this notion in your life, then I would be glad. All the best and take care.

[vision]

Thanks for sharing this. Your thread title grabbed my attention & it's a perfect way to sum up what I'm feeling myself. Again, thanks.

:gimmehug & :love

[iloveme]

thanks for your replies everyone!

I am open to suggestions on how I can get closer to god but these are the ideas/plans I have so far

****)Continue to go church every week
****)Read the bible as often as I can
****)Pray everyday
****)Attend a new meeting for women of the church to get together for a chat
****)Look for opportunities to serve the Lord,help out as much as I can.

:happy:happy:happy

[Snuz]

It helps me a lot to read books on spiritual topics. Your church might have a recommended reading list or you can ask people you know that have similar beliefs as you. I have some favorite authors I like and you can even find lectures/talks to stream if you poke around on the internet.

[tigerurchin]

iloveme

I definitely relate to what you're expressing in this thread -- I'm in both therapy and OA and in OA the focus really is on how the only lasting cure is a spiritual solution. maintaining a relationship with one's higher power/God is critical to maintaining recovery. I really believe that that's what has been missing when I've recovered before -- I lost touch with God, and I relapsed.

One spiritual practice that I am working on is meditation -- not just speaking to God, but really sitting and clearing my mind so I can listen. It's so much harder! But it is a critical part of recovery, to me.

Hope you are well, heading into the weekend.

Amanda