Starved | Page 57

myself It was a very hard process for me, because it required trust. Over time, I started to accept that God had made me for more than what I had thus far experienced, and that He was concerned about me. That revelation changed my life, because I had always felt unheard and that no one truly cared about me. When I graduated from the program at Mercy, I was a new woman. That is not to say that I am not tempted by the old behaviors, but in the midst of my struggles I am learning that it is possible to live a healthy, balanced life, as long as I daily rely on God. By the grace of God, I have now completed a semester of college! I used to believe Satan's lie that I would be dead by now, or that if I lived I would never accomplish anything and would always be worthless. This semester has been proof that God is with me and leading me. He is teaching me that not only can I function in life-I can live! God has given me freedom, and I am choosing to walk in it daily! Nicole's Story Growing up, I was the perfect child with the perfect life. I grew up in a loving Christian home with status and wealth, but money never bought my happiness or healing. I knew there had to be something more. I started to flirt with an eating disorder in the fourth grade, yet I never restricted enough to lose a drastic amount of weight. I had roots of rejection and low self esteem from a young age. I was bullied and constantly teased by people that I trusted and called my friends. I was a perfectionist, requiring everything from great grades to outfits matching to a tee. Anytime that 61