sister's in eating disorder unit

[soul alive]

my sister was diagnosed with anorexia a couple of weeks ago, went down a week ago monday to the children's hospital in denver, and started their program, but had to be in the regular hospital until her heart rate went up to over 40 beats/minute minimum at night.

my mom went down with her and has been staying nearby, visiting during the day. since i would not be otherwise able to see her until the summer, my dad and i went down this monday and tuesday to see her and mom.

found out today that my sister was finally moved into the eating disorder unit, and will now be too busy for my mom to be there all the time, so mom is coming home tomorrow.

prayers that my sister will get through this quickly and fully would be much appreciated. and that my parents will be able to handle this emotionally, and later, financially. and that i may be a good support for them.

also, if anyone knows any verses that have to do with eating disorders, or similar situations, they would be much appreciated. as well as any recommendations for devotional type books. (i will be sending her care packages, and her birthday is next month, while she is still down there) i would like to start witnessing more heavily to her, and need all the help and suggestions i can get.

much appreciated. thanks

(for those of you who like to know names to pray for, i'm Sara, and my sister is Erin)

[enishi]

ill definately keep this in the prayers.

[shooraijin]

I'm not sure if I can think of anything that specifically covers eating disorders. She doesn't need anyone to tell her that she blew it, I think -- she wouldn't be (have been) in the hospital otherwise -- but perhaps directing her to the more subtle things about anorexia would be the key.

The problem is that it's very hard to extract the warped Western concept of physical self-image we have from a girl's head when it's firmly embedded in it. I'm sure it's cold comfort to realize God looks at the heart when a lot of (initially) desirable guys are looking at somewhere else.

I would be interested in what resources you're looking at, and I'll pray for you and her in the meantime.

[sonichiro]

hi, im am still prayign for you, your sister and your family. im glad she is getting soem help. ill try to find some verses. as shooraijin has already said, i dont think that there will be a verse specifically about eating disorders but rather a verse about Gods unfailing love, that he is no respector of persons (meaning he does not recognize your job or your LOOKS, but rather your heart), and that we have all been wonderfully and perfectly made by God and in his own image. try telling your sister some of the things i just mentioned (i cant remeber the specific passages they are, and i dont think i recited them bang on but i gave you the general idea). hope ive been of any help at all. ttyl,
-sonichiro fugiyama

[soul alive]

thanks for the prayers

as i am home right now, and don't have access to any real resources, and probably won't until i go back to school. in doing my daily Bible reading, i found a verse that applies to outward appearances:

2 Corinthians 10:7 - Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

i know there aren't any verses specifically, but any verses on appearance and anything else that would be helpful would be much appreciated.

one website i found suggested the following verses:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Romans 12:1-2 - And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is;

1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Peter 3:3-4; Psalm 107:17-21; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 5:29,30;

i also have a girl on my floor at college who went through a similar situation and has verses and advice that helped her.

[sonichiro]

awsome, its great to hear that youve found some verses. God will work wonders in your sisters life, maybe this was just where she was supposed to discover him.

[agasfas]

I'll pray that your sister has the strength to make a good recovery. I'll also keep the rest of your family in my prayers.

[Rogie]

I'll pray for your sister. You mentioned possible devotional books. I would recommend the Purpose-Driven Life or Stepping Heavenward. The latter is more of a novel, but it's very inspiring.

[soul alive]

thanks, much appreciated

[indyrocker]

Well at least shes in some of the best hands in the state! Ill be praying for ya pm or email me if ya just want to talk.

[true_noir_chloe]

I will definitely pray for you, your family and especially your sister. ^__^

I would suggest you let her know you are there for her and love her. I'm not sure keying in on verses about appearance, if she isn't a believer, would be the best. It might come across like you are trying to give her a guilt trip - which, I'm sure she is already having. Real change comes through Christ and a believer has a step up since the Holy Spirit dwells in them, than one who is not a believer.

I read a book a while back, which was a great help - "Heaven," by Joni Eareckson Tada. It is an easy read and it makes your problems look smaller when you consider Ms. Eareckson's unfailing attitude toward God and how she rests in His security, even though she has gone through so much.

I hope the best for your sister, Sara.

[soul alive]

the tough thing of it all is that my sister's been pushing me away and biting my head off for so long that i don't really have any idea how to begin. she's been going to church all her life, and according to mom, is 'praying every night.'

i definately don't want to come off like i'm trying to shove stuff down her throat while she's vulnerable. i was planning on just writing to her, and including verses of encouragement. the verses i'm asking and looking for are mostly for research for me. the books suggestions are something that i may actually be sending her sometime. she likes action/adventure type books, and has been reading the Left Behind series. so i think she could handle something a little heavier message wise. before she came home, mom had the chaplain give my sister a Bible, so she at least has one. and one of the other girls in the program with her is Christian.

the good news is that when i've talked to her since she was diagnosed, she hasn't bitten my head off, something that hasn't happened in literally years. so she may be more receptive to me witnessing to her than she was before.

and again, thanks everyone for your comments, suggestions, recommendations, and prayers.

[PrincessZelda]

I will pray for her.

[Mave]

I have friends who have similar issues. I will pray for a quick recovery, strengthened faith for your sister and peace for the whole family.

[soul alive]

thanks again. any and all prayer is much appreciated and needed.