I love Nancy Alcorn and Mercy Ministries

I found out about Mercy Ministries a few months ago. A very close friend of mine went through the program. She went to Mercy struggling with an eating disorder. After graduating from Mercy, she walks in complete freedom.
I noticed the changes in her immediately! She finally loved herself, loved life and most importantly loved the Lord.

I started to realize how many people in my life were dealing with similar struggles. People from all walks of life have dealt with these life-controlling issues every single day. I had numerous friends in college that let their diets and exercise routines control their lives. I can remember thinking to myself, “Man I need to loose some weight and get down to a size 2, then I will look good in a bikini.” It is pretty sad to think about the perception most people have of “beauty.” Luckily after I lost 21 pounds on the show, I realized I looked way better with some meat on my bones. I actually cried the first time I saw myself in the mirror. My eyes looked hollowed out, my muscles had deteriorated and I didn’t even recognize myself.

In Nancy Alcorn’s book “Starved” she explains that, “the seemingly insignificant desire to lose a few pounds can quickly become a powerful, addictive eating disorder.” I can really relate. I think most of my friends thought they were going to loose a few pounds for summer so they could look good in a bathing suit. Then all too often, the dieting spiraled out of control and it started to control their lives. Nancy explained that you can find hope and freedom if you apply certain principles to your life and receive guidance from God’s word. After hearing about thousands of girl’s lives being transformed through Mercy Ministries, I believe there is proof that these principles must work.

It is so sad to think about all of the girls that feel like they have to live up to these completely unrealistic expectations that the media portrays. I think every girl at sometime in their life will question their weight and their appearance. Eating disorders are devastating millions of lives across the world. A 2002 Harvard University study reported that five million people in the US suffer from eating disorders. Many more cases go unreported as girls struggle in silence. Those with eating disorders surpass their goal to lose a few pounds and progress into an overwhelming addiction, a coping mechanism to deal with the pain of living in a fallen world.

So many girls want help, they want a way out of this horrible addiction. I truly believe that any girl is capable of breaking the cycle. I am going to continue to read “Starved” and blog about the ways this disorder can be conquered.

Thanks Mercy Ministries and Nancy Alcorn for this book and for all of the good work you do!.