Do you ever feel like you have to be skinny? I used to feel that way. Weight was that one thing in life I could never control. And because I felt like I had to be skinny, I made “losing weight” more important than God wanted me to make it.
I always thought, “If I could just get this one problem under control, I’ll be set.” What I discovered is that being skinny can’t make me happy. Only God can.
For some of you, I know this study is just a helpful encouragement. But for others, it’s more than that. You feel like you have to lose weight. Not just for your health, but for your overall state of acceptability and enjoyment of life.
The Danger of Focusing on Weight Loss
This is a dangerous attitude for two reasons: First, it hurts your relationship with God. God asks us to give up everything for Him. Including skinny. When we say, “I have to lose weight to be happy,” we’re essentially saying, “You’re not enough, God. I need more.”
Second, it makes us give up on our eating plans. Here’s why: The minute we break our boundaries in a major way, we think, “I might as well give up and eat. I’m never going to lose weight, anyway.” We think that because it’s all about losing weight for us.
If we look at this as a spiritual journey, it won’t be such a big deal if we eat too much. We’ll just renew our minds and move on.
“I Have to Be Skinny” Eating Bible Study
- Why do you want to lose weight?
- Do you feel like you have to be skinny to be acceptable? If so, why?
- Is there any particular person in your life you feel like you have to be skinny for? If so, answer the following questions for each person on your list. (Answer them for the general public if you feel like you have to be skinny for everyone.)
- Is that person an accepting, positive, encouraging person by nature?
- Does that person value the same things you value? Explain.
- Given this person’s personality and priorities, is it realistic to expect him or her to be positive and supportive of you no matter what you weigh? (Note: I’m not asking if it’s right or wrong, I’m asking if it’s realistic.)
- Is there anything you need to accept regarding this person?
- Do you think God wants you to lose weight? Why or why not?
- Think back to why you want to lose weight. Are God’s priorities different than your priorities? Explain.
- Will God still love you if you don’t lose weight? (You better say yes on this one!)
- Is He enough to satisfy you even if everyone else rejects you?
- If you are a child of God through faith, how does He see you and how does He feel about you? (Note: If you have the iPhone app or I Deserve a Donut (And Other Lies That Make You Eat), all but one of these verses are in the insecurity Bible verse section.)
- What will happen if you try to “fill yourself up” with being skinny? (Jeremiah 2:13)
- How do you think God wants you to approach weight loss?
P.S. If you’d like more Bible studies on letting go of the skinny idol, check out Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study.
P.P. S I don’t have any specific questions for appearance eating on the iPhone app, but you can use these resources if you’d like to renew your mind: Insecurity Bible Verses. Feeling Rejected and Condemned Questions. Discontentment Bible Verses and Questions.
“Is He enough to satisfy you even if everyone else rejects you?”
That’s the key right there. Finding our joy and satisfaction in him alone allows us to look at the rest of the world differently.
I just read the other day that we shouldn’t be eating better to “lose weight.” As a Christian, I know this is true. We should eat well to honor God and care for this temple He has blessed us with. This is such a great study you’re offering, Barb.
Barb, I love your questions! Your first one really made me stop and think. I believe I am on a perpetual diet, because it is something I can control (the amount of food I eat.) Rev tell me continuously that I don’t eat enough. I started this as a teen, and praise God that I never became a full-blown anorexic. As is all things, focusing on my relationship with the Lord is the key. Thanks for bringing me back to the truth on this issue in my life.
It would be interesting to see everyone’s answers to that question, wouldn’t it? I always used to be on diets because I felt like I had to be skinny to be acceptable. I wasn’t very good at controlling what I ate, though!
What bible is it from because I tried looking it up in new king james version
Hi Katie, It looks like most of these are from the NIV, which is odd since I usually use the NASB for my own Bible study! You should be able to use whatever version you’d like though. New King James is a great translation and that will work!
SO thankful for this study! I have always thought my weight issue was not significant to “bother” God with and that some how I would use up his time or my prayer “allowance”. Obviously with this approach nothing was working and I was yo yo ing all over. I am so thankful to be able to turn this issue to God and turn my focus on Him and not food – not what I can or can’t eat.
Yay! So glad you’re feeling like you’re able to go to God for help with this now, Kelly! Praying He will bless you and help you find victory in this area! Glad the study is helping!
This is amazing! I cannot express how thankful I am to The Lord and Barb that I came upon this today. I have never seen or read anything like it. I guess I have struggled with body dismorphic disorder since I was about 13. I have come a long way with Gods help and am healthier than ever but is still a battle. This helps so much! Thank you thank you
I’m so glad it helps, Brittney. I know how hard it is to struggle with body image. So glad you’ve come a long way with it and praying God will continue to help. Glad the study was helpful!
I’m so grateful for this bible study. Its been helping me change my mind set. I’ve been working on being honest with myself.
So glad it’s helping, Cindi!
I thank you for this particular lesson. Thank you for pointing out something that I already know, but refused to think about. I have been dealing with my husband’s serious health issues -his heart quit as he was merging onto the freeway last Dec.(it started again when we hit the wall) …and my daughter keeps telling me I’m giving him to God every morning, but grabbing him back by noon. Your lesson showed me that’s what I’m doing with my diet, too. If God can control a dead man in a truck going 70 mph in heavy traffic, which He did, why don’t I believe he can’t handle my weight as well as I could. And you only have to meet me to know I don’t do a very good job of it!
Wow, that’s crazy! I’m so glad God protected him! I guess that just goes to show that if God wants to do something He’ll do it even if it seems impossible. But unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), we don’t have that same power with the impossible! I think that knowing that makes it a little easier to let go and accept whatever we need to accept and trust God to be enough. I’m glad the lesson is helping and glad you get to still enjoy your husband!