I am currently reading and dissecting Ecclesiastes line by line, and it’s utterly fascinating. The book is poetic, beautiful, and concise—yet complex and puzzling all at the same time. I’ve been spending a couple of weeks in it (I read it quickly at first, and now I’m going through it line by line), and I felt moved to share this verse:
“That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 3:13
This verse brought me so much joy. I realized it’s because I am recovered from my eating disorder that I can truly embrace its beauty. My prayer is that this community may also embrace this verse one day. But if you are struggling with an eating disorder or even addiction, this verse may not feel joyful—it might feel convicting.
What Does This Verse Mean?
The author, King Solomon, wrote this to remind us that God wants us to enjoy the simple, everyday gifts in life—like eating, drinking, and working.
Read that again: God wants YOU to enjoy eating.
For many of us struggling with eating disorders, that feels radical. For years, I loved food, but I also hated it. I hated the stress, the noise in my mind, and the anxiety.
- When I started my eating disorder, I hated eating anything at all.
- Later, binge eating made me feel out of control, waking up anxious about how I would manage food all day.
- When I became bulimic, the cycle of restriction, bingeing, and purging made food a source of shame instead of nourishment.
Unlike drugs or alcohol, which I could abstain from physically, you cannot live without food. And if you have an eating disorder, abstaining from food only lasts so long.
Food Is Not the Enemy
As I continue walking in my journey with God, I’ve realized: food is not the enemy. God wants us to enjoy it.
In Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, Solomon says:
“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”
For someone struggling with an eating disorder, this is revolutionary. God—the only approval we truly need—gives you permission to enjoy the food He provides.
I remember asking my mom for permission to eat in high school because I didn’t feel worthy. Starving myself, binge eating, purging—these were all attempts to control what felt uncontrollable. But God says: You are worthy to eat. You are worthy to enjoy it.
How to Start Finding Joy in Eating
You might be asking, “How do I start?”
Here’s a place to begin:
- Recognize God’s goodness. Know that He is a good God and that food is part of His gift to you.
- Honor your hunger and fullness. Allow yourself to listen to your body’s natural needs.
- Pray before meals. Thank God for the nourishment He provides.
- Practice gratitude for food. Focus on the taste, texture, and joy of eating, not just survival or restriction.
Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, but leaning on God brings hope.
A Prayer for Eating Disorder Recovery
Let’s pray:
Lord, I pray that one day in the near future, I—or anyone reading this—will allow ourselves not only to have food, but to honor our hunger, fullness, needs, and wants. Help us realize that we are worthy of the food You provide. May we not only eat to survive, but enjoy the food as a gift from You, just as You intended. Thank You for the hope and freedom found in You. Amen.
Remember: There is hope in recovery, because there is hope in God. You are worthy of nourishment, joy, and peace around food.
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