"God is punishing me with this unhealthy relationship with food."
How it sounds in your head: You've sinned in other areas, so this struggle is God's discipline. He's withholding healing until you get other things right. This battle with food is what you deserve for your failures.
"For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men."
-- Lamentations 3:31-33Source: religious teaching that makes God the author of suffering and turns struggles into divine punishment.
You know areas where you've failed, and connecting your food struggles to God's displeasure feels logical. Preachers have said God uses trials to teach you, so maybe this is His lesson.
Mephibosheth was crippled, hiding in fear, enemy of the throne by blood. David found him and INSTANTLY restored everything Saul lost, gave him a place at the king's table permanently—pure grace to an 'enemy,' no process required.
I REFUSE the lie that God is punishing me with this food struggle. IT IS WRITTEN that He does not afflict willingly nor grieve His children. I declare that Jesus came to give ABUNDANT life, not bondage. IT IS WRITTEN that there is NO condemnation for those in Christ—not less condemnation, NONE. I am under the BARAK blessing that operated even when Abraham lied and Jacob deceived. Like Mephibosheth who received instant undeserved restoration, I receive healing as a GIFT, not a wage.
The Father is running toward you with compassion, not punishment. He's not waiting for you to earn healing—He already paid for it at the cross, and He's inviting you to the table of freedom right now, struggle and all.