Why is it that we fear the unknown?
I don’t know about you, but whenever there’s a big event or activity or milestone in the future, I always prepare for the worst.
It’s a bad habit I guess.
For example. Whenever I go to a party or something, in my mind, I’m always like, “what if I fall?”ย Orย “what if I don’t knowย anyone there?”
It’s like I let my nerves focus solely on the negatives of whatย couldย happen.
Why do I do that?
Why don’t I let myself imagine theย positives?
Like, what if I go to the party and have anย awesomeย time?
Well, this is something that is not new for me. Nor is it something that is specific to events.
It was part of my anorexia recovery too.
When I was in the last of my weight restoration period, I was absolutelyย terrified of the last several pounds. I was petrified that if I were to be in my “weight range” that I would be huge. A whale. Ginormous.
And it was because I didn’t know what it was going to be like, so my mind went to the negative.
So I wanted to share something that I thought would be helpful. Something that I wish I would’ve seenย when I was recovering.
And that’s this: weight restored does not mean fat.ย
I hesitate to post this picture on here, for fear of seeming “egotistical,” but I honestly believe that had I seen something like this when I was stuck in that place of being terrified of the last several pounds, it would have been really helpful. For had Iย seen this, I would’ve been able to actually see thatย weight restored does not mean fat. It means healthy. It means not emaciated. It means not scary.
And having seen something like this, I would have realized that instead of being scared, I should be thinking about how exciting it is that my body is blooming. And howย beautiful my body is going to be once I’m weight restored. And not just physically beautiful,ย but possessing beauty that comes from the inside. Beauty of a mind at peace. Beauty of a heart that rests in Him. Beauty of aย spirit that is no longer enslaved, but free.
If there’s one thing that I would say to my weight-restoring-self it would be this: instead of facing the unknown with fear, face it with curiosity.
Instead of being afraid of how yourย body willย look, why not approach it with wonderful anticipation – with bated breath – because the truth is, you’re beautiful from the inside out. And your restored body will reflect that.
This mindset of looking to the future with hope and positive curiosity is healthy in all aspects of life.
Because I was thinking about it the other day: when I fear the unknown, I’mย basically saying that I don’t trust that God will take care of me.
There are so many things that can cause worry and anxiety today: where to go to school, what to major in, what job to take, is “Mr. Right” really “Mr. Right,” how to parent your kids, how to make ends meet. There’s always something pressing on our hearts. But we are promised that God really will take care of us.
Romans 8:28 God causes all things to work together for good.
For good.ย
I literally have absolutely nothing to be anxious or worried or apprehensive about. Not about body image, or meeting my future husband, or what my next acting gig is going to be, or how my health is going to hold up. Because the truth is, God is taking care of all that. And His plans are good. That’s all He wants for His children.ย So there’s literally nothing to be worried about. So I can restย peacefully, knowing that I’m not in control, He is.
So if you find yourself fretting about this or that this week, just remember that He’s in control. And if you’re an ED warrior facing a seemingly insurmountable task of restoring fully, just know that weight restored does not mean fat.
51 responses to “Weight Restored Does Not Mean Fat”
I’m right there with you on fearing the worst. Hoping that’s all it is, “a bad habit”. I beat myself up about this too. I worry about the same stuff. Will I pass out. Will I have a panic attack. Why can’t I just flip that to think positively. Such a good question. Great post!
Thank you so much Bonmedi! Yes, let’s flip it to the positivity! Thanks for stopping by xx
Great post…You are Beautiful…and such an inspiration to others sharing your situation, and to those who are suffering other adversity….Keep up the good work…You have been Heard!
GOsh, thank you so much! It’s easy to get caught up in fear. But we’ve got to just trust! Thanks for stopping by!
Love this and you are so right. It takes a lot of practice trust me to block out the negative. Below is a link to a video I watch a lot the speaker is a guy called Les Brown. Inspiring, be amazing XxX
https://youtu.be/mgmVOuLgFB0
Awesome, I can’t wait to check it out! Thanks for passing it along! Glad you stopped by ๐
Old parable…give your troubles to God because he’s gonna be up all night anyway!
haha I love that! so true! Thanks for stopping by and sharing that tidbit of wisdom!
Your words are so healing and helpful. In – sanity as I think about it, is being trapped in – side our own thoughts. The longer we stay there the more in-sane we get. The constant churning of the same unhealthy assumptions and conclusions creates grooves and ruts that are hard to climb out of. I was a lonely child. A dreamer, an introvert that didn’t attract a lot of friends. My mom got me to change the tune playing in my thoughts by saying: so what if these girls don’t want to play with anyone but themselves. Find someone that needs a friend and you be that friend for them. This thinking turned me into an initiator and opened up opportunities to think about more than myself.
My goodness, thank you so much! what a beautiful way to think. I love that. thanks for sharing that pearl of wisdom ๐ blessings
I like the idea of replacing fear of the unknown with curiosity. I do tend to fear the worst but, as you say, that’s not really trusting God. This is a really helpful post.
Thanks Carly! I appreciate that so much:) glad you stopped by!
Really needed to hear that today. Thanks for sharing!! ๐
No problem Bella! Thanks for stopping by! hugs!
Great courage in sharing this so openly!
Thank you so much Solomon! I appreciate your encouragement ๐
“What if I don’t know anyone there?” Oh man, that is true life. It’s audacious to let yourself imagine the positives, you gotta be bold to do it cause it creates room for disappointment. But being curious is just so much more exciting. It’s straight up more fun. Good post. ๐
Thanks! You’re so right. It IS more fun when you think of the positives:) thanks for stopping by!
The pre-anxiety before any even that is not completely in my control (aka not alone) still confuses and frustrates me. It’s like it just happens automatically – no matter what the even is – no matter how rationally I can tell myself it will all be fine – there is always a fear that someone bad will happen. With each experience, I learn that this is not the truth. This is a beautiful post and such perfect timing as I just posted about my current fears of finishing off weight restoration and fearing change. Thank you.
Thanks so much love. So proud of you and how far you’ve come. You’re a warrior and should celebrate that! Thanks for stopping by! Blessings and love to you friend
Our society and the media tries to program us to expect the worst, and fear everything. We can choose to believe the lies the world, and ultimately the enemy tries to feed us or we can seek the face and counsel of God turning to the Word. “2 Timothy 1:7New King James Version (NKJV)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
*
So if was not God that gave us a spirit of fear who is trying to make us embrace that? I believe it is satan and if you are a child of God living in His grace you want nothing the enemy has or tries to give you. I am a joint-heir with Christ. God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. God knows the end FROM the beginning. The is NOTHING that is beyond the reach of God. God is the Creator and God can create in us His vision of perfection in our lives. Thank You for Your love and grace, oh Ancient of Days. You are our strong tower, and our rear guard. There are NONE above You, Lord. Your love is so wide we cannot get around it; Your love is so high we cannot get over it; Your love is so deep we cannot get under it. There is NOTHING that can seperate us from Your love oh Lord. Amen!!
Amen! What a beautiful reminder. Thank you Eric. You’re so right. We’ve been given a spirit of power. And there’s absolutely zip zilch nada that can separate us from his love. Thanks for stopping by!
Once again, you have written another beautiful and inspiring post. I could talk about how wonderful everything about this post is, but no other words can sum it up better other than beautiful and inspiring ๐ You are also right on the money with your implication that God will help lead the individual, who has deep thoughts about their futures ๐ Same thing goes for your views on instead of worrying about an event, we should feel the opposite ๐ Anyway, keep up the great work as always ๐
Thank you so much John! I appreciate that a lot. Your comments are always so encouraging. It means a lot:) it’s true though. God always has our backs and always is working for good for his children. It’s such a comforting thought. Thanks for stopping by
I always fear the worst too. This was such a beautiful post to read. Thank you lovely xx
Thanks friend! I know it’s an easy trap to fall into! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs to you ๐
What a nice post. It’s important to be kind to yourself, not just to others.
Thanks so much! You’re so right. Being kind to self is of utmost importance. Thanks for stopping by
Beautifully written. And so true. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Lizzy! I appreciate it:) glad you stopped by! Have a great weekend!
Reblogged this on Concierge Librarian.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this! I’m pretty sure that my body needs to gain some more weight, but it’s still hard for me to accept. This was a great reminder!
Thanks so much. Restoration is always a tough process. But kudos to you for knowing your body and listening to it. You’re an inspiration love. Xoxo
Beautiful. Thank you!!!!!
Thanks so much Kate ๐
You inspire – a beautiful thing ๐ท
I see the word “fear” throughout this text. It reminds me of Blue October’s song “Fear”. That song helps me in my depression. Just a heads up.
Thanks So much for that Casey. I’ll definitely check it out!
PS: You seem like a strong Christian…awesome!
thanks Casey! i definitely try to follow Christ. I always fall short but my heart is in the right place ๐ thanks for stopping by!
We all fall short, otherwise we wouldn’t be human. Your heart is definitely in the right place. I’ve read a few of your posts and you seem pretty down to earth as well. Perfectly balanced according to Ecclesiastes!
Beautifully stated…keep healing! Keep gaining!!! You are loved.
Thank you so much:) i appreciate the encouragement!
You’re doing great things!!!!
Thanks Mo! i appreciate it ๐ blessings to you
Continue to stay strong and true to yourself. What an inspiration! Blessings ๐
Thank you so much Portia! I appreciate your encouragement:) hugs and blessings to you! Glad you stopped by! โค๏ธ
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Thanks for the link up! Hugs and love xox
You’ve brought a great word about just resting in who God is for us in all our circumstances. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. Always. I will never abandon you. I never listen to your critics. Even when it’s you. You are AMAZING. I believe in you. You want to what I can do for you?! Just watch!!!”โกโกโก
Thank you so much Jan:) I really appreciate your encouragement. So true! Isn’t the Father wonderful in His mercy and love?! Hugs and love xox