by Kimberly Davidson
This particular 34-year-old female started smoking and drinking at age 14, and struggled with dieting and bulimia since she was 18-years-old. According to her, she went through men as fast as she rotated her wardrobe. Her resume was riddled with question marks—she’d been fired twice, laid off three times, and quit several jobs. Inside her head, whirled toxic thoughts of rejection, shame, bitterness, jealousy and depression. Today this woman is happily married, alive, and full of joy and purpose. Her obsessive-compulsiveness has diminished and she has thrown off the toxic emotions she carried as her identity. Jesus is the center of her life and her mind.
This woman is me. The day came when I knew my life was no longer working. In desperation, I cried to God, “Something’s got to change. Please help me!” And He did. Soon after, I was released from the act of bulimia. I call it a miracle. I am a recipient of undeserving grace and mercy. Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, I didn’t recognize it was Jesus. This miracle didn’t change my mind. It wasn’t until I started studying the Bible that I really came to know Jesus and recognized it was His power that set me free.
I discovered there were the similarities between my experience and the experience of God’s first generation of children, in particular their astounding delivery from Egypt. This event is mentioned repeatedly throughout the Old Testament. Whenever God wanted to emphasize why His people should obey Him, He reminded them of how He rescued them and molded them into His own people.
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Exodus 20:2),
“Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the LORD your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm”(Deuteronomy 5:15).
For us, the most important event is in the New Testament—the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the time of year we celebrate the birth of the One who rescues and saves. I am eternally blessed that He brought me out of the prison of bulimia. I can’t help but have an awe-inspiring attitude of gratefulness. I am grateful that when I surrendered to Jesus, He immediately transformed me into a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This means I’m a completely new being.
Wow! Another miracle! I envision Jesus creating order from chaos and freedom from bondage. Isaiah 45:18 tells us that God put everything in place. He made the world not to be a place of chaos.
If you are struggling today, hang on to God’s promise: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of [fill in the blank].”
Do not look at your trial as defeat. You are a new creation! Continue by faith to claim the victory through Him who is able to make “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37).
Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus. It’s also the time to reflect on the many blessing’s He’s already given us.
Merry Christmas and a blessed 2019!
