V is for Volumes ~ by Brenda J. Wood

I was abused at age eleven. Over time this developed into a serious eating disorder…Bulimia. I ate up to 50,000 calories at a sitting. (A very short sitting, I might add!)  And then I made myself sick to get rid of the food. (P.S. It does not help with weight loss!)

1 in 3 women have been abused and 1 in 5 men. We eat because of our shame and we throw up because of our guilt. For sixteen years, I was trapped in this addictive cycle.

Finally, someone told me about Jesus, the Son of God. He died on the cross for me, crucified for my sins. All I had to do was ask forgiveness for my sins and ask him to come into my life.

My life changed in so many ways but the Bulimia didn’t! I became an author, public speaker, and TV personality. God never once brought up my eating disorder. Then about four years later, it suddenly occurred to me that bulimia might be a sin.

I was on my way to do a segment with Jayne Pritchard at CKVR. I said to her, "I thought we might talk about Bulimia today… and I know of which I speak. Because I am one." Jayne was speechless. I thought I would have to finish the show by myself.

That’s why writing has been so important to me. I needed structure, control, deadlines, and encouragement and I found it in pen and paper. My yearly word is always ‘persevering’ because that is what I have learned to do.

I started to journal because I heard that writing helped you get over abuse. So, 61 journals later, I still write…everything, everywhere. I take notes in meetings, in church, and in Weight Watcher classes. I write everywhere I am because writing saved my life.

This writing has resulted in more than 50 published books, including a couple of award winners.  One is my Bulimia story, Meeting Myself and the other is The Pregnant Pause of Grief, written in the first 3 months after my husband died.

Truth comes out in writing. I say to you write, write your thoughts, write healing, write anything…If you are interested in more, look up Morning Pages and start writing them. I write and I persevere, because I know it works.

Brenda J. Wood has authored more than fifty books. She is a seasoned motivational speaker, who declares the Word of God with wisdom, humour, and common sense.