Article February 19, 2007 Issue

STRIKING a BALANCE

Prayer conquers an eating disorder.

BY AMY NICKELL

When I was in college, I became obsessed with my weight. My first thought in the morning was either "How can I avoid eating today?" or "I'm fat." I ate very little and often starved myself. Although this condition was never diagnosed, the symptoms were consistent with anorexia.

I was a lifelong Christian Scientist, and I recognized this as an obsession that wasn't right. But I prayed about it only sporadically. People commented on my weight, but I would dismiss their concerns. I never considered myself skinny. I didn't think I had a problem, until I stepped on a friend's scale one afternoon and tipped it to only 93 pounds—fully clothed and with shoes.

This I knew was not a healthy weight for a woman of my height. In fact, it shocked me, and I realized I needed to pray more seriously about my condition.

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