From Chains to Freedom
No one stops to think,
no one has the knowledge or understanding to say,
“Half of it I used for fuel;
I even baked bread over its coals,
I roasted meat and I ate.
Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left?
Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”
Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him;
he cannot save himself, or say,
“Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
Isaiah 44:19-20
From Chains to Freedom
I remember the first time I felt the weight of insecurity pressing down on me like an anchor. It started subtly—a casual comment about my body, a comparison to someone I thought had it all together, a glance in the mirror that left me feeling not enough. What began as an innocent desire to “be healthier” quickly spiraled into something I couldn’t control.
At first, it felt empowering. Counting calories, tracking workouts, watching the number on the scale drop—it all seemed like progress. But before I knew it, my life was no longer mine. My thoughts were consumed with food, exercise, and an endless pursuit of perfection. Every meal became a battle, every glance in the mirror an opportunity for self-criticism. I measured my worth by my weight, and the pursuit of thinness became my ultimate goal. I was convinced that if I could just reach that “perfect” body, I would finally feel happy, confident, and secure.
But it was never enough.
No matter how much weight I lost or how much control I thought I had, the anxiety, the guilt, and the emptiness only grew stronger. The more I fed this false sense of security, the hungrier my soul became for something real—something that no amount of weight loss could provide. Deep down, I was exhausted. I was chasing a god that demanded everything from me and gave nothing in return.
The hardest truth to swallow was realizing that I had been worshiping the wrong god. The haunting words of Isaiah 44:20 echoed in my mind: “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” I looked down and saw the reality—I had been deceived. I had unknowingly fallen into the trap the enemy had set, and I was sinking fast. My feet were not planted on the solid foundation of Christ, but on the fragile framework of a god I had crafted with my own hands. My rules, my rituals, my sacrifices—all in devotion to an idol that could neither save me nor bring me lasting security. This god, like all idols, was a lie.
Timothy Keller captures this struggle perfectly in Counterfeit Gods, writing, “Idols consume us when we pursue them, disappoint us when we attain them, and devastate us when we lose them.” I remember standing in front of the scale, staring at the number, and feeling the weight of my realization hit me like a tidal wave. I had crafted an idol out of thinness, worldly praise, and my reflection in the mirror. I had unknowingly built my life around the false promise that attaining the perfect body would grant me the peace, joy, and identity I so deeply craved.
As Keller also states, “Idols are not usually bad things but good things turned into ultimate things—things that constitute our most fundamental significance and joy.” My desire to be healthy wasn't inherently wrong, but I had elevated it to a place of ultimate worth. In my relentless pursuit, health stopped being a gift from God and instead became my master. Every moment of restricting food, choosing exercise over meaningful relationships, and obsessing over numbers, macros, and my reflection revealed the idol I had enthroned in my heart. What began as a pursuit of health transformed into an all-consuming devotion that left me feeling empty and lost.
Have you ever found yourself here? Have you chased after something you thought would fulfill you, only to find yourself feeling empty and unfulfilled? Perhaps your idol isn't thinness or an image in the mirror. Maybe it's the success of your career, the admiration of others, the validation of a relationship, or financial security. It could be the approval of your peers, the accomplishments of your children, or even the fleeting comfort found in substances or entertainment. Whether it's food, sex, success, or anything else, the truth remains the same—idols cannot truly satisfy.
The issue isn’t necessarily what the idol is, but that it exists in your heart. Isaiah’s words remind us that these idols are lies—illusions that promise fulfillment but only leave us hungrier for more. The enemy of your soul does not want you to recognize this truth. But let me tell you today, as your sister in Christ—it is a lie. If your foundation is not in the one true God, you will never find lasting satisfaction. Even if you attain your idol, it will always demand more from you.
Trace the Feeling
We must realize that our emotions often point to deeper fears hidden in our hearts. To experience true freedom, we need to identify the fear, expose the lie, and replace it with God’s truth. If I could do it, so can you!
Let’s walk through an example:
Feeling: Anxiety. How does this feeling show up in my body? Tightness in my chest, racing thoughts, jittery hands, shaking legs, and a heaviness on my shoulders.
I know that when I experience anxiety, it often manifests physically in these ways. Recognizing these signs helps me understand that I may be believing a lie. Once I am calm and regulated enough to think clearly, I can take the next steps to uncover the truth.
Follow the “if, then” principle to connect your thoughts to your fears and actions:
Thought: “If I eat more food, then I will hate my body, and so will everyone else.”
Fear: If I gain weight, then I will be fat.
Deeper Fear: If I am fat, then I will be unlovable.
Connecting the dots: I feel anxious because I’m afraid that if I gain weight, I will become fat, and if that happens, then I will be unlovable.
Actions that stem from this thought:
Restricting food
Over-exercising
Speaking negatively to myself
Remaining trapped in a cycle of disordered eating behaviors
Finding and confronting the lie: “I believe that my worth is determined by my body size and appearance.”
Ask yourself: Is this belief true, or is it a lie?
(I believe it’s a lie. However, if you feel differently, please reach out for support—let’s have a conversation about it! Email me at Tessa@finishwellgroup.com)
Replacing it with Biblical truth:
The truth is that I am not defined by the mirror or the scale. I am loved because I am created in the image of God. He made me with care and purpose. I am His daughter, deeply cherished and crafted by His hands. My worth does not come from how I look but from who I am in Christ. Jesus never said I had to reach a certain size to be worthy of His love—He chose me before the foundation of the world. I was made through Him and for Him. I am His.
Final Thoughts
Tracing your feelings back to their roots can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly freeing. When we take the time to identify our fears, recognize the lies we’ve believed, and replace them with God’s truth, we step into the fullness of the freedom He has for us. It’s not always easy to confront the thoughts that have shaped our actions for so long, but with God’s guidance, we can break free from the patterns that have held us captive.
Healing is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, patience, and grace. There will be struggles, but God’s truth stands firm, offering hope and security. As you walk this path, remember you are never alone—God is with you every step of the way, and support is available through His Word, prayer, and community.
The beginning passage of Isaiah 44 is a hard pill to swallow but if you keep reading verse 22 reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness:
"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22, NIV)
Child of the King, do not grow weary for God is with you. God calls us to return to Him over and over again, to let go of the lies we've believed, and to embrace the redemption He freely offers. So no matter how many times you have tried and “failed,” or how long you have believed the lies and worshiped a false god. You are not defined by your past mistakes, your struggles, or your appearance—you are defined by His love, His sacrifice, and His purpose for your life. That is the Truth to build your life on.
I encourage you to take that first step today—life wasn’t meant to be faced alone. Reach out for support and consider connecting with a Christian counselor who can walk alongside you in this journey. You can contact me via email at Tessa@finishwellgroup.com or by phone at (331)-267-5005.
Together, we can learn to trace the feeling, confront the lie, and embrace the unshakable truth of who God says you are.