Truth That Sets You Free
“You are a liar.”
Although I would normally never encourage anyone to speak these words, there is an exception to that rule when it comes to one thing: an eating disorder. In fact, if you have an eating disorder, I encourage you to look it in the face and tell it, “You are a liar.”
Through an eating disorder, Satan tricks our minds to exchange God’s truth for lies, which can convince us easily that we are ugly or invaluable. Whenever we think these things, a red flag should alarm us that we are believing lies. But even when an eating disorder shouts lies that bring hopelessness, God’s truth can fill us with strength and life.
When the lies seem unconquerable, God’s power is stronger.
When an eating disorder tells you that you are not pretty enough, God says you are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)
When Satan tricks you into thinking that your eating disorder is unconquerable, know that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
If you feel invaluable, remember that you are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
If you think that God is not interested in your problems, don’t buy the lie. Trust God when He says, “I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)
Wherever truth dwells, lies flee. We can conquer lies by surrounding ourselves with God’s truth. Let’s saturate our minds with truth by pondering God’s Word, posting Scripture on our mirrors, praying often, and listening to Christian music. When we ask God to fill us with His truth, the lies of an eating disorder will have no place to belong. His truth sets us free!
ASHLI ROUSSEL
Ashli Roussel, a nineteen-year-old sophomore at Harding University, is passionate about sharing the truth and love of the Lord through writing. She loves camping, running, playing the piano, and participating in missions. Most of all, she is passionate about knowing, following, and serving her Lord and Savior. Without Him, her stories would mean nothing.
Ashli has battled and overcome an eating disorder, which God used to teach her great truths about who He is and how He is involved in our struggles. Now she desires to comfort others with the comfort that she has received from God. Keep an eye out for Ashli’s regular articles on iBegat.com! (read more…)
AAA Driver-ZED Online – Check it out!
Check out the ZED demo, screen shots, and sound clips at AAA
Yes, there are lots of bad drivers on today’s increasingly congested roads, but you don’t have to be one of them! That’s where driver-ZED 3.0 comes in. Instead of having to sit in a boring classroom listening to someone like me drone on about the importance of checking your rear-view mirror, you can learn using a much more fun an interactive way.
The driver-ZED 3.0 DVD was created by teens for teens. Teens, not stodgy adults, guide you through 100 challenging driving scenarios. You’ll learn as you go by interacting with real live video scenes, not goofy and unrealistic animations. If you crash–no biggie. It’s just your computer, not your dad’s $450,000 Lamborghini Countach.
This is a fun, interactive demo for the actual software. iBeGat.com is not soliciting you to buy the software. But at least check out what it offers and practice with the demo! It’s a blast!
The Sparrow’s Freedom
“My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home . . . “ (Psalm 84:2-3 NIV)
It’s Sunday already. I dread Sundays and I don’t want to go to church. From the ride in my parent’s car, shoved in the back seat, forced to listen to dated music, to my sister complaining that I pick on her too much, going to church is the worst.
As I drudged out to the car, the sound of my sister’s high pitched squeals broke the quiet. Jumping up and down under the large tree in our front yard, she frantically pointed to the very top branches.
“Dad, Mom, there’s a bird stuck up there and he can’t fly away!”
“Looks like a sparrow got caught in some string. Must have been flying with it in his claws. I’ll get a ladder and try to set it loose.”
I couldn’t believe it. Dad runs us like a military unit on Sunday mornings. He hated to be late for church. If we didn’t leave on schedule, we’d have to sit in the front like all the other latecomers.
I watched as he gently untangled the string on the frantic little bird’s claws. It would struggle and fight and then give up from exhaustion. Finally, almost fifteen minutes later, the bird flew away, leaving our sight as soon as it was free.
“That’s gratitude for you.” I huffed under my breath. “It doesn’t have to sit up front at church today!”
The drive to church went on as usual. My sister chattered about the little sparrow and went on and on about Dad being a hero.
As we climbed the steps to the sanctuary, Dad held my arm and let my sister and mom go ahead. He looked at me with an expression of love and compassion I hadn’t seen in a while. When he spoke to me, his words were carefully chosen.
“Son, that little bird reminded me how you’ve been fighting my guidance and turning away the Lord’s gift of freedom. I want you to know, I would do anything to give you the freedom I gave that little sparrow this morning. But you need to ask Jesus for your freedom. All this heavy anguish you carry is as confining as the sparrow’s tangled string. Stop fighting and let the Lord free your strings.”
He went on in to church. I wanted to lag behind, but I went and sat up front with him. That day, I went forward and asked Jesus to free me from my sin and bondage. As I lifted my head after praying, the weight was gone. Looking up, I could still see the sparrow flying away and I knew that as soon as I had quit struggling, I too was able to soar.
At times going to church and tagging along with family may seem unbearable, but if you just stop to listen, you might find someone really cares about you.
Cindy Scinto, Editor, iBeGat.com
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