Breaking Free from Binge Eating: Christ-Centered Recovery for Women of Faith

Ever feel like you’re the exception? 🙋‍♀️ Like, sure, other women can heal their relationship with food, but you? Nah. You’ve tried the therapy, the devotionals, the diets, the accountability groups, the affirmations… and still find yourself knee-deep in a pint of ice cream wondering if food freedom is even possible for you.

Friend, let me assure you right now: you are not the exception.

This lie is one of the enemy’s favorite tricks. If he can get you to believe that recovery isn’t possible for you, he keeps you stuck in shame, isolation, and a never-ending cycle of striving.

But here’s the truth: God’s freedom is for you, too. And in this post, I’m going to walk you through how to recover from binge eating as a Christian woman with practical tools, relatable stories, and most importantly—a Christ-centered lens.

Why Christian Women Struggle with Binge Eating

Let’s be real—binge eating is complicated. It’s not just about “loving food too much” (eye roll 🙄). For many women I work with, binge eating is a tangled web of:

• Restrictive dieting → saying “no” all day long until you snap at night.
  
  
• Emotional overwhelm → using food as a way to soothe stress, sadness, or exhaustion.
  
  
• Spiritual lies → believing you’re broken, weak, or somehow outside the reach of God’s grace.
  
  

And diet culture doesn’t help. It’s constantly whispering that your worth is tied to a number on the scale, how your jeans fit, or whether you had a salad instead of fries. (Spoiler alert: your worth was sealed at the cross, not in a dressing room mirror 🙌).

Lie #1: “I’ve Tried Everything and Nothing Works”

I once had a client who swore she was the ultimate exception. She had tried every therapy, every prayer group, every dietitian under the sun. Nothing stuck.

But here’s the thing: When you say, “I’ve tried everything,” it shuts the door on hope.

Think of it like this: imagine a school janitor with a giant ring of keys. He tries a bunch on one stubborn door, and none of them work. Does he throw the whole key ring away and declare that doors just don’t open for him? Nope. He just hasn’t found the right key yet.

The same goes for recovery. Just because a certain method hasn’t worked in the past doesn’t mean you’re doomed. It simply means the right approach—one that’s aligned with both your body and your faith—hasn’t clicked into place yet.

Lie #2: “I’m Too Broken to Heal”

Another client once told me, “Brittany, I’m too broken to ever heal from binge eating. I just have to live with it.”

Oh, friend. If that’s where your heart is right now, lean in close: You are not too broken for God.

2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Notice what it doesn’t say: “My grace is sufficient for everyone… except you.” Nope. His grace covers your name, your struggle, your weakness.

Binge eating doesn’t disqualify you from freedom—it’s often the very place God wants to show up and display His strength.

The Power of Community

Can I let you in on a secret? Healing doesn’t usually happen in isolation.

The client I shared about earlier—the one who thought she was the exception? Her breakthrough came the day she opened up in group coaching and said out loud, “I don’t know if recovery is possible for me.”

And do you know what happened?
Instead of crickets or judgmental stares, she heard a chorus of:

• “Me too.”
  
  
• “I’m struggling with that right now.”
  
  
• “I thought I was the only one!”
  
  

That vulnerability cracked the door open for healing.

I’ve seen this in my own life, too. Years ago, I was stiff-arming God about sharing my infertility struggles. I didn’t want the questions, the tears, or the pity. But when I finally shared in the community, something shifted. My healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—happened in the context of prayer and support.

Our first baby was a total miracle who's here because of one specific night my small group prayed over me. (Yes, God really is that good!)

So if you’ve been hiding your binge eating battle out of fear, guilt, or shame—hear this: isolation feeds the “I’m the exception” lie. Community starves it.

Lie #3: “I’ll Wait Until the Timing is Perfect”

Let’s have a little tough love moment: Waiting for the “perfect time” to start recovery is like waiting for the weather to be perfect before planting seeds. You’ll miss the season.

Every day you wait is another day the binge-restrict cycle keeps spinning.

The good news? Healing doesn’t require perfection. It just requires action. Small steps, taken now, matter more than waiting for the ideal moment that never comes.

Try asking God:

• What do you want me to do today?
  
  
• What is one small action I can take right now to move toward freedom?
  
  

Because freedom is available to you now. Not “someday.” Not “when I lose weight.” Not “when life slows down.” Now.

How to Start Recovering from Binge Eating as a Christian Woman

Okay, let’s get practical. Here are 4 truths (and action steps) to help you move forward:

1. Call Out the Lies

Catch yourself when you say things like, “I’ve tried everything,” or “I’m too broken.” Replace them with God’s truth.

Try this: Write 2 Corinthians 12:9 on a sticky note with your name in it. (“My grace is sufficient for Sarah.”) Put it on your mirror or pantry door.

2. Find the Right Key

Not every recovery method will work for you, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t more willpower—it’s finding an approach that’s aligned with your values, your body, and your faith.

3. Step Into Community

Healing happens faster in safe, supportive, Christ-centered spaces. Whether it’s a small group, a trusted friend, or a program like The Joy-Filled Eater Live, connection breaks isolation.

4. Start Now

Don’t wait for Monday. Don’t wait until after the holiday. Take one small step today—whether that’s praying for strength, journaling your feelings instead of eating them, or reaching out for help.

Final Encouragement

Friend, you are not the exception.

• You haven’t failed—you just haven’t found the right key yet.
  
  
• God’s grace is for you—not just everyone else.
  
  
• Community and honesty are where real breakthroughs happen.
  
  
• And freedom is possible—110%—when you start taking steps now.
  
  

Binge eating does not define you. Christ does. And He says you are loved, redeemed, and free. 💜

Next Steps

If today’s post resonated with you, here are ways to take this deeper:

1. 🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode: Faith-Filled Food Freedom Podcast, Episode 175.
   
   
2. 💌 Join the waitlist for Joy-Filled Eater Live: This is my Christ-centered group coaching program designed to help you break free from binge eating with the support and accountability you need. Get on the list here: www.brittanybraswellrd.com/course.