Spiritually Anorexic - Anita van der Elst

You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. Hebrews 5:12 NLT

Food is not something I’ve ever avoided, since my waistline amply advertises. But neither do I want to become spiritually anorexic. 

Church potlucks (especially the dessert table), family and holiday feasts, favorite restaurants, and the snack aisle at the grocery store all get my hearty approval and participation. I don’t drink milk, but I do indulge in its ice cream form. It goes down so easily, but without much nutritional benefit. Occasionally, I’ve gone the less-is-more route to gain better health, but still enjoyed good food while doing so.

I’ve noticed, however, that after being on one of those portion-controlled episodes, and I try to eat more, somehow, I just can’t shovel in as much as I used to. My stomach has shrunk.

A spiritual realization also occurred to me. In not attending church services for long stretches of time, I limit myself from receiving food that feeds my spirit. No wonder my faith falters and I feel weak. I’ve become spiritually anorexic. 

Once I’m back again and hearing solid teaching from God’s word, I find that it takes me a while to fully comprehend the messages. Staying away for months on end results in my spiritual stomach shrinking in size with no room to process. Thankfully, little by little, I can once again chew the hearty biblical meat offered in the sermons. 

Don’t limit your solid spiritual meals. Think of ways to get back on a healthier diet that feeds your soul.

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study. 

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