EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is part of a series of articles focusing on the worldly challenges Christian families face and how the church can help.
Has someone in your family or a church member ever faced one of these challenges: an eating disorder, obesity, stress, depression or suicide? The answer is probably yes.
At least 30 million people in America live with an eating disorder, reported therecoveryvillage.com, and each year some 10,200 deaths are the direct result of such disorders.
Researchers estimate nearly 7% of U.S. adults experience depression, which is approximately 23,889,727 people. Suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. These numbers should be taken seriously. Churches can help by educating themselves and understand how they can help Christian families face these challenges.
Eating disorders
Eating disorders are behavioral conditions characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating habits, as well as associated thoughts and emotions. Eating disorders affect up to 5% of the population, most often developing in adolescence and young adulthood.
The three most common eating disorders among Americans today are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. Anorexia Nervosa is restricting food intake to achieve extreme thinness; can limit good nutrition and cause weight loss, fatigue, weakness and even death. Bulimia Nervosa are episodes of binging, eating a large volume of food in a short time and purging — eliminating food by using laxatives, vomiting or excessive exercise. Binge Eating Disorder is defined by eating large quantities of food in brief periods until feeling uncomfortably full. It differs from bulimia in that the person does not purge after eating.
Family members experience personal pain as they watch someone they love slowly destroying themselves. They can feel helpless to save them, as well as worried, angry or guilty. Trying to help a loved one with a food-related disease can be frustrating, frightening, emotionally draining and the recovery process may seem hopeless.
Obesity
A serious, common and costly chronic disease resulting from inherited, physiological or environmental factors, obesity is also affected by diet, lack of physical activity and exercise. Genetics, age, stress and medical conditions can contribute to weight gain, but in the U.S. obesity often results from unhealthy diets and inactivity.
Obesity is a medical issue that can diminish a person’s quality of life and hurt family members who may hesitate to help for fear of causing shame. It also can increase the risk of other diseases and health problems like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea and certain cancers, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Stress
Many families today face physical stress, exhaustion and burnout. In order to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table and clothes for their children, parents work far too hard and too long without pausing for adequate rest. When these stresses accumulate, they can produce tension, anger, conflict and arguments, and too much stress can lead to drug or alcohol misuse, eating disorders or depression.
When one member is stressed, it usually disrupts the entire family. Children growing up in families dealing with chronic stress can be negatively impacted, experiencing problems at school — dropping grades, losing interest in activities, developing depression, anxiety or other mental health problems. Children also can become ill, have difficulty concentrating, experience insomnia, develop changes in appetite or become increasingly tired and irritable.
Depression
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder, causing severe symptoms that can affect how a person feels, thinks and handles daily activities like sleeping, eating or working. Depression can be caused by physical changes in the brain, brain chemistry, hormones or inherited traits, and often begins in the teens or 20s. But it can happen at any age.
One recent study showed that 7 million Christians in the U.S. experience serious depression each year, while living with a depressed family member can be stressful, draining and volatile. When someone feels sad or hopeless it can strain family and other relationships.
The disease can easily lead to spiritual struggles — feeling distant from God, questioning faith, withdrawing from prayer, Scripture study or church activities. Families might be embarrassed and refuse to seek help due to the stigma associated with mental illness within some Christian communities.
Suicide
Suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. An estimated 1.6 million people attempted suicide.
The U.S. suicide rate has climbed 36% over the past two decades. The impact of suicide within a Christian family often involves unique spiritual, emotional and community dynamics.
Family members may struggle with their faith, questioning why God allowed such a tragedy. Some grapple with doctrinal beliefs about the afterlife, sin and salvation, especially concerning the state of the soul after suicide.
While both Christian and non-Christian families share common experiences of grief including loss, confusion and the need for support, Christian families, can turn to the church community to provide strong support, prayer, counseling and practical help. They also find solace in their faith, believing in God’s love and eternal plans, and turn to prayer, Scripture and pastoral counseling for comfort and guidance.
How can the church help families through these challenges?
- Offer prayer, spiritual counseling, pastoral care and comfort.
- Create a welcoming and non-judgmental environment where people feel safe to share their struggles.
- Teach biblical concepts of eating disorders, obesity, stress, depression and suicide from the pulpit and in Bible study.
- Host educational workshops and seminars to raise awareness on the challenges above.
- Collaborate with local physical health and mental health organizations to provide professional support and counseling within church-sponsored groups.
- Teach and equip pastors and church leaders to recognize and respond to mental health issues.
- Educate people on the warning signs.
- Being present for a person who needs to talk, reminding them of God’s promises (Heb. 13:5, Ps. 23).
- Providing helpful resources and information to church and community members.
- Remind people that being connected to family and community support can decrease suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
- Surrounding family members with love, compassion, care, prayer, creating a community of understanding, healing and hope.
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