Why does giving up to God seem so scary??

[Mrs.Megan]

Hello :fishy :fishy

I have been working with my priest a bit on my ED. I am seeking treatment outside of this - individual therapy and soon group therapy. I know that a big part of my recovery is going to be my faith and trust in God.

I am just having a really big block about giving this up to God. I am not sure why. I guess I almost feel like I don't want to say "God - I am ready to give this up - please help me" and then turn around and use ED behaviors again. I feel like I would be lying to God - so I feel like I am waiting and second guessing when I feel like I am ready.

Anyone have advice about this?

[Rainbowhippie]

I don't mean to sound preachy, but I urge you to remember that Christ died to take away your sins. You don't have to be scared of saying that you want to get better and then having a few mistakes, because God will forgive you. And lest you feel like you're alone, EVERYBODY screws up sometimes even when they don't want to. Paul once wrote, "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." A lot of people recovering from EDs can relate; we all at times hurt ourselves even when we've sworn that we won't and even when we don't want to. But God forgives us anyway.

[Rayneonthemoon]

My personal thought on this is that "giving up" Ed to anything (God, Higher Power, Faith, etc.) feels like a loss of control.

It's easy to want to hold onto the ED because it's familiar. Familiar is comfortable, even if it's not constructive. "Giving it up" to something that is maybe not visually familiar is a risk, a leap of faith that feels overwhelming and uncertain.

[nc]

I think perhaps you need to redefine what "giving it up to God"means. If it meant you could say that and never engage in behaviors again then the number of people with EDs would drop tremendously.


What could "giving it up to God" mean besides never engaging in a behavior again? Could it mean using all the resources given you, meaning seeing and being honest with your T, attending the group, reaching out for support when you need it, etc.? Could it mean when you do stumble you get back up instead of staying stuck?

[SadieJolene]

What if you don't think of it as "giving something up" to God, but asking God for strength to deal with life itself and the hard things that come, and see if that strength helps you not have to rely on behaviors as much (gradually).

[jennygt]

I think do you feel if you slideback you would be disappointed in God or God in you? Use God and your faith for support but don't think you are letting God down. remember the forgiveness and how he wants all to be with him. Priests can be tricky-I have said things in confession and lead up a youth group with one and to be quite honest they are Priests and aren't formally trained counselors/psycharitrists/psychologists. It is good you are seeing other specialists. I think giving up to God is more a help call like I need your help. And he already knows and is ok with it!

[ducksquack]

Giving up to God or a Higher Power or whatever you
believe in means to me that I am asking for help as
my way doesnt work.

This doesnt mean I wont continue to have difficult days
or make poor choices as I am only human.

Giving anything up to someone or something unseen was
very hard for me however I saw how well it worked for
others so I eventually tried it and it has helped a lot.

Everyone is different so do it as you feel comfortable with.

Good luck and god bless.

[I_Am_Unwritten]

I've been there, too and I think that it feels so scary bcuz when u really analyze the issue, it IS a little scary to think ur completely leaving ur fate in the hands of another. It's realizing that ur giving up control and are making urself open to another path and new ideas. Sometimes, it's a pride thing; to not want to swallow ur pride and say, "Ok. I haven't been doing very well in handling things, so I'm surrending to u." But as other posters have pointed out: the great thing about God is that He can handle whatever we throw at Him. He knows when we've reached rock bottom or the end of our rope and need His help. He patiently waits while we try to handle things that are clearly too much for us, then He lovingly takes us back and guides us. I went years hating God with a passion, so when I finally reached my rock bottom and asked Him for help, I was feeling all kinds of scared and helpless, but ultimately, I'm glad I surrendered. Just take it slow and realize u have nothing to lose. Let Go, and Let God. If u give Him a chance to work with u and believe in it, you'll be amazed at the changes you'll see.

[squeegee]

I understand what you're saying- I struggle with the idea too. I think, at least for me, that saying it will feel like a lie, because I may not want to admit it, but I don't want to give up my ED. Or at least I'm divided- working towards recovery and getting better, but still have a part of me that holds on. Saying that I'm going to give it up to God just feels taboo. However, it reminds me kind of what they say about smiling/emotion- how they say to smile, even if you don't feel like it, because smiling can actually lift your mood. (The same actually goes for other emotions too- the way you set your face alters your emotions, according to Ekman.) For me, I think the best thing is to say it anyway. Even if I'm not really ready to give it up, even if I know I'll fail, even if I'm scared, say it anyway. Practice. Maybe, by stating it, I can prepare myself, I can start to let go, and maybe one day the words will become truth.
Thanks for bringing this up. I'd struggled with it before, but never put this much thought into what I should do about it. Good thought-provoking thread.
I wish you well in your recovery and your walk with God.