Images of His Beauty (IOHB), a 10-week Bible study for young women, was released on February 1st, 2012. Since then, many of you have expressed interest in this special ministry. I sincerely thank you and praise God for you. I wrote the following post in an attempt to answer your questions.
![IOHB[2]](https://tracymsteel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/IOHB2-197x300.jpg)
The story behind the Bible study
![IOHB[2]](https://tracymsteel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/IOHB2.jpg)
I knew she was nervous, so I held her hands, and we prayed. I prayed that God would fill her with courage. I assumed that she was the only one who struggled in this way. As I continued to pray, I felt uneasy about “going there.” But by the time this young woman finished speaking about her eating disorder, tears had been shed throughout the room. The response from her peers put my heart in a tail spin.
Prior to this, I was naïve to believe that only non-Christians struggled with their eating. Now I know that this is not true. Young Christian women can and do suffer from eating disorders.
In the years that followed, other students sought help for some form of anorexia or bulimia. I listened to their stories and I saw their tears. I referred them to a Christian counselor at our church for additional help. As the months passed, most of the girls expressed their need for further support as they continued to overcome and recover from their eating disorder.
As I prayed about how I could minister to them, God placed IOHB on my heart. In the months that followed, I began collaborating with the same Christian counselor throughout the writing process. What resulted was a Bible study that focuses on a young woman’s: true identity, ability to overcome and heal through Jesus Christ, and unique God-given beauty.
Some final thoughts for those who struggle with their eating:
Be encouraged, for I have also struggled with my self esteem, and with how my body is made. I was a ballerina for 20 years, and have felt the pressure of trying to weigh a certain amount. I too have felt the sting of rejection, and have had to embrace failed dreams.
Life is hard, but it is not hopeless. Jesus died on the cross for you and for me to ensure that this is true!
Finally, precious one, Images of His Beauty is not your cure. Jesus Christ is your cure. This study was created to point you to Him. No matter what you choose to do next, I pray that you will cling to Jesus Christ for the rest of your life. I assure you, He never disappoints.
Congratulations on getting it published, Tracy. I know God will use it greatly. God Bless you
Thank you Pat! Blessings to you as well!
Tracy,
Hip , hip, hooray!!! From one created in His image, to another, no more lies. Let us hear the Truth, the word of God, and finally and forever know we are His! I love you and thank God for his gift to you, writing, and loving other women through your ministry. Keep running the race.
Thank you dear friend! For those of you out there reading this comment, Adele is one of the ladies that help me scrapbook those journals pictured above and who led the first IOHB support group back in 2006. She currently continues to lead IOHB at this same church, and I thank God for her! I also posted her video testimony on the IOHB page of this website. She has a HUGE passion for Jesus and His daughters, and I am honored to be running the race beside her…love you too Adele!
I typed in Google “bible studies for eating disorders” and yours popped up. I am about to embark on leading my youth group ladies on an “In HIS Image” study of sorts and was looking for references and articles to use. I am a “recovered” (If you can ever be fully recovered) bulimic who understands the pressure of athletics. I played volleyball from high school all the way through college and the jerseys and spandex never got any looser 🙂 Now that I am a married woman and coach, I also feel called to help young ladies find their beauty in Christ and His plan for them. Thank you for providing me with a wonderful resource and best wishes to your ministry! God Bless!
Hi Kate~ so wonderful to hear from you! Thank you for sharing your journey and passion for ministry with me. Please keep in touch and let me know how things are going. Blessings on your ministry as well- young women need to hear the truth about Jesus. He is our Healer and has us in His mighty right hand 🙂
I am so thankful I have come across this Bible study. I live in Maine and am on this journey to recovery from anorexia; we have absolutely no groups of any kind of eating disorder group ( I have felt a heavy burden to get a Bible study for women with eating disorder I guess my question would be is this also good for any age I am 37 and have been suffering for over 25 years. I am so determined I am going to be in recovery by God’s strength and to also help others too or do you have any other suggestions the study will be at our church Calvary Chapel Orrington, Me when we get a study selected Its just going to be awesome to start a bible study in this area specific to eating disorders
Hi Catherine. I am praying for continued strength as you continue to heal from anorexia. May you sense God’s presence and delight in you- I am so proud of you and thank God for your desire to help others find healing through Him! Thank you for your interest in IOHB and I appreciate your question, because I have received several emails asking the same thing! Though I originally wrote the study for teens/young women in their 20s, most of the women who facilitate the group studies (with an ED background) end up being helped and encouraged by the study as well (and they are usually 30 and above). As I write in the study, healing often comes in the form of a process. I believe the Scriptures presented in this study can be part of the process for any woman of any age, because God’s Word is powerful and will accomplish all that He has purposed for it to do in our lives (Isaiah 55:11). I suggest you continue to pray about this and if you feel led, give IOHB a try. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. God bless, Tracy
Tracy, thank you for this study. As a mom to an almost 24-year-old struggling with anorexia I have been looking for a bible study that would help her realize what a beautiful young woman she is. This disease is horrible and sometimes I feel like I don’t have what it takes to help her. The good thing is that I know God is more than able to pick up the pieces of her broken life and heal her. Sometimes (ok, most of the time) I am so angry at this disease and the grip that it has on her. I pray that as we work through this study together, her eyes will be opened and those shackles be broken as God works to restore her and reveal to her the life that He intended for her to have.
Resting in His Strength,
Sharon
“When I pray, You answer me;
You encourage me by giving me strength.” ~ Psalm 138:3
Sharon: I am so, so honored to hear from you and to walk this journey with you and your daughter. I am angry at Anorexia too- and I praise God for being bigger than it and for being the TRUE Healer of it. I trust He will meet with you and your precious daughter as you journey through the questions in IOHB and through His Word. Take your time going through the study- healing is a process. I pray God will bring healing to your daughter, and that she will realize how precious and significant she truly is (no matter how big or small the indication of healing is- I celebrate it ALL). PLEASE keep in touch with me so I know how to pray and encourage you. God bless you. Isaiah 41:10