If you’re reading this, I’d like to welcome you and give you a hug.

Maybe you’re the parent or loved one of someone suffering with an eating disorder. Perhaps you’re in the throes of anorexia yourself. Maybe you think you may have the beginning stages of disordered eating. Or perhaps you’re on the journey to recovery.

Whatever has brought you here, I hope that through the story of my brokenness, and redemption through the Lord, you are able to find hope, encouragement, advice, healing, support, and comfort.

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This blog chronicles my journey from severe anorexia to recovery, and every twist and turn along the way. The blog posts are meant to be read from beginning to end, as a book. (( Glorious Wounds is the Introduction.)) So I would suggest reading “up” — starting from my oldest post, and working backwards to the most recent. This is my first post.

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I must warn you that the beginning is very dark — intense, raw, and despairing. It is an uncensored view into my mind when I was deep in my anorexia. However, I chose to be vulnerable and share that utter brokenness — that wreckage — in order for you to truly grasp the gravity of the disease, and how sincerely meaningful freedom through Christ has been in my life.

I also hope that you’ll find the resources section of my blog helpful. If you or a loved one is suffering with disordered eating habits, please seek professional help.

With that being said, I am not a doctor. I’m not a therapist, dietician, counselor, psychiatrist, etc. I’m just a girl. Who had a severe case of anorexia. And who is journeying through recovery, one day at a time. I’m just sharing my story with the hopes that it will help even one person.

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***To get a copy of my book, Bloom: A Journal by BeautyBeyondBones, click here! 

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A big thank you to my new sponsor, BetterHelp Online Therapy.  Speak with an online therapist. Or check out content about eating disorders from BetterHelp.

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2,012 thoughts on “Read This First”

      1. I need this right now. Thank you for writing it. I have been too scared to read it until now. I finally got scared enough. I think that is a good thing. Much love..xxx

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  4. I’ve been meaning to say a big thank you for reading our blog but also how inspiring and engaging I have found your writing. It is full of faith, life and hope and also gives me as an educator a real insight into ED which I am sure will help me understand and support young people in our care in the most compelling way – so put simply thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Thank you for “liking” so many of my blogs. Seeing you there, especially so often, really means a lot to me, and gives so much support to my being open and brave about sharing many of my so very deeply personal experiences. We are, all of us who support each other, family of the most wondrous kind. Connected by the heart. I wish you the best with your much continued learning and growing. – Mr Model : https://spiritguidessaintsguardianangelsghostsandevenaliens.wordpress.com/2016/05/04/floating-over-our-bodies/

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  7. Hi! THANKS SO MUCH for the like on my post. I truly appreciate your kind comment. I have read your “Read First” post as well and found it to be AWESOME. It was a reminder of HOW GOOD God is and HOW MUCH HE LOVES US. Thanks for sharing your story with the world. God Bless YOU!

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  8. I admire you for persevering through the tough times, and for having faith. I know that God will never leave you, and He loves you ALL OF THE TIME — unconditionally. Thank you for liking my post “Words of Jesus.”

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  12. As a new blogger, this is an awesome layout! I love your story and am so thrilled to see other young women of God sharing their struggles and victories alike. Keep it up!

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  13. I love your blog – you are so genuine and I also share your values in general. So glad you conquered the anorexia – a false friend even though it’s easy to understand how somebody can get a right buzz out of it for quite a long time before it starts being the boss of you instead of the other way around. God bless.

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  14. Hi! thank you so much for your ” like” on my “Stay Focused” article! Oh and you are so on target…we must love our-self! We are fearfully and wonderfully made!

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  15. Hi, Beauty! (don’t know your name, but Beauty is appropriate I think!) I’m not recovering from any type of disorders, or illness, but I am former bullying sufferer and adversity overcomer! I love to read any story that ends or continues with someone fighting the good fight, embracing God’s healing love, and using their experiences to help others! You are a true Beauty!!! 🙂

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    1. Hi friend! oh my gosh thank you so much for this reflection. I’m so glad you’ve embraced His love, because you’re absolutely right: it is healing to the core. so glad you stopped by! hugs and love xox

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  16. I noticed that you liked my post today. Thank you! How interesting, too, that we should cross paths. I spent my 15th birthday, and 4 months after that, in a mental hospital, being treated for anorexia. That’s over 35 years ago, but it’s still a vital part of who I’ve become. To note the seriousness of the disease,the girl in treatment with me died a year later. To offer hope, while I still deal with depression, I have remained healthy and strong – something very necessary for a mother of 2 boys. Thank you for offering encouragement to those in recovery. It’s important work.

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    2. Hi friend, thank you so much for sharing this. I’m sorry that we have this history that connects us, but I’m so glad we’ve both found the freedom of recovery. So so glad. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  17. I look forward to making my way through your writing. Although I am not yet comfortable writing about my disorder, I’m inspired by your honesty, and I applaud your willingness to expose such a difficult, raw part of yourself. Thanks for the like on my blog as well! Take care!

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  18. I am so thankful to God for you, that He has blessed us with you. And I am thankful that we have connected. If just one person is aided by our testimonies, then that will have been a success. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  21. I’m so proud of you! I will be sure to refer anyone struggling with an eating disorder, to your blog. Thank you also, for reading “The Silver Lining” at angelaslittleattic.com. It’s important to share our times of suffering, so we can give hope to others about finding a light at the end of the tunnel. Though I never had a full blown eating disorder, I did flirt around with very bad eating habits in my college years. I had a warped sense of what I looked like. I was thin and vibrant and beautiful, and I never felt I looked good enough. How I wish I could go back and tell
    that young girl that there was absolutely nothing wrong with her at all! May God bless you and your blog, in Jesus’ name!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Grateful to be able to share a bit of your journey! Appreciate your willingness to be real! Blessings and great love to surround you and illuminate your path.
    And thanks so much for liking my blog posts! This is a new beginning for me of sharing my story. Kinda scary but am determined to allow the bitter past to be a shinning lighthouse for any struggling along the way.
    God’s got it!!

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  24. Wow what an awesome way to reach people! God truly has people working in every matter so there is always somewhere for his followers to run! Love that you have this!

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  25. Firstly, big hugs back at you. Thanks for stopping by my blog and the like. I’m looking forward to reading through your posts as it’s a subject I don’t know too much about and reading your first hand experiences I feel will give me a better understanding
    cheers and love xx
    mary

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  26. Thank you for liking my blog post, I must say that I am truly humbled. Blogging your recovery from anorexia is truly courageous and inspiring. Bless you.

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  27. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and liking my post about the strawberry festival. I’ll be uploading parts 2&3 this week. Feel free to follow me too 🙂

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  28. Thanks for stopping by the blog. Looks like you are doing some brave and incredible things for those that are struggling. As someone that works with teens, your fight is needed and appreciated. God bless.

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  30. Thank you for your like on my page IAMSTARLIGHT. We have different paths but sounds like we are sharing and caring, and that can make a difference in the world, I firmly believe.

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  33. Thank you for sharing the important things. A friend of mine was not able to survive an eating disorder. Sincere thanks.

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  34. Hi! I nominated you for the 3 Day Quote Challenge! Hope you participate. Stop by my blog to see how to participate. It’s easy…and no rush. 🙂

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  35. Thank you for your visits to my new blog and fit sharing your important message here. Warmest regards — Matthew

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  36. Well hello there! Thanks for stopping by my little space. You are the queen of memes! I love it! Makes me want to be a better writer and illustrator to my own words. 🙂 I wish you all the best.

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  37. Thank you so so much for liking the most recent post on my blog. I’m so new to this and I love discovering other bloggers’ worlds through their intimate writing. While I am not recovering from an ED, I am fighting, surviving and thriving through brain cancer, which struck in the prime of my life. No matter what our “diagnosis” we all share so many common emotions, experiences, etc. I really look forward to reading more! Xoxoxo

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    1. Thank you so much for this comment. You’re so right, we’re all in this together. Know that you’re in my thoughts and prayers during your fight. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love to you, warrior xox

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      3. Sorry, my iPhone got lagged yesterday night. Yeah, I asked it. But my note is vietnamese language. Are you Vietnamese ? 😀

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  41. You have the most rare and magical beauty – -that which shines from the inside out! Enjoying your posts, and very much appreciate your like of my blog.
    In His Service,
    Dee

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  42. I look forward to reading your posts. I was a clinical social worker prior to retirement and I know how hard eating disorders are on people. You sound very brave to put yourself out to the world in order to help others. I hope for you many blessings and continued healing.

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  43. I look forward to reading more of your posts. I am a retired clinical social worker and have known people who struggled with eating disorders. You are a very brave person to share with the world in order to help others. I wish for you many blessings and continued healing.

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  44. Hi there! Thank you so much for liking my posts! I’m glad that I ended up checking your bog and reading this first. Thank God that you’re in recovery! indeed there is healing and victory in Jesus! I’m a medical student from the Philippines by the way… 🙂

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  47. I saw you liked one of my posts. Thank you for that. Then I looked at yours. I’m glad I did. Wonderful work. Keep it up. Don’t stop – even in those low moments we have. Those are the times we speak from the heart.

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  48. May Jesus continue to uphold you, walk with you and continue to deepen your faith every step of the way. He is our great physician and our Healer – continue to feel His Presence in your life as your beauty rises out of the ashes.

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  50. Thank you for your like on my blog, it has encouraged me greatly. God bless you in everything you do. You are a wonderful testimony to others. When you visited my blog you saw that I had Christian mysteries but I also have Christian Poetry that is very good for the soul. Psalms for the Soul, if you are interested.

    Like

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