Pulling Teeth

Recently, an article came out, stating how models were removing their teeth in order to look thinner. Yeah. That extreme behavior reminded me of a film a saw, “Giant Mechanical Man.” There was a scene in which the lead characters discussed a dream one of them had, one in which all of the female character’s teeth fell out. We eventually discover the meaning of that dream was the feeling of powerlessness. It makes sense. Eating disorders, in spite of the promised lie of control and power, in essence, also render us powerless, imprisoned and paralyzed. It can be the emotional or mental restrictions, like rituals and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Or it can also be the physical effects like actual tooth loss from malnutrition and stomach acid from binging, There is, indeed, a torment to the eating disorder. It’s all ruled by fear. And that’s a spiritual matter. Scripture tells us, however, we do, in fact have power: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 It’s not, however, independent of God; it’s uniquely tied TO Him. And that’s important to remember. Part of the damaging lie of eating disorders is that we control and exert power over food, our bodies and our will when we engage in them. However, what we’re really doing is battling and sabotaging ourselves in the process. And that is not God’s will for us: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 1:2 There’s nothing prospering about extreme measures like pulling out our teeth. Likewise, there’s nothing prospering in bad self-image or self-hatred. There may not be the dramatic pulling of teeth, but there is, however, damage all the same. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 Nothing good can come from the self-harm, be it thought word or deed we impose upon ourselves. Let’s reflect on our thoughts and behaviors. Are they promoting health or disease, freedom or imprisonment? Let’s choose, today, to prosper, be in health and have a health-focused soul. Let’s sink our teeth into THAT!!! Copyright © 2013 by Sheryle Cruse