Philippians 4:7-8 (NKJV) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Many people struggle with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. These involve unhealthy eating patterns, preoccupation with food, and concerns about body weight or shape. Contributing factors may include rejection, trauma, loss, relationship struggles, toxic culture, body image issues, perfectionism, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and people-pleasing.
The problem with many people is that they have placed too much weight on others’ opinions, especially those of the people they love, in hopes of gaining their attention. These people could be their parents, peers, bosses, colleagues, classmates, or social media.
We all have different cheerleaders at different stages of our lives. Ideally, our parents should be our lifelong cheerleaders. Unfortunately, living in a fallen world means our parents may not always affirm us, be with us, or encourage us. Perhaps we are single-parented, or there is favouritism in our home. If we do not receive the attention we want from our parents, peers, and those we hold in high regard, and if we are easily affected by their words and actions, insecurity and rejection might prompt us into self-pity that can spiral into depression and self-harm.
For example, the world, using social media as the loudspeaker, has been telling all of us, especially young people, what beauty looks like. To young people, what their peers say and do to them has a tremendous effect. Even a slight remark about how they look, including their clothing, physical appearance, speech, and performances, can have a significant impact. Body shaming and cyberbullying have caused young people to hurt themselves, to the point of suicide or self-harm.
Do you struggle because what others say means so much to you and can sometimes be blown out of proportion? How much these comments or standards affect us depends on the weight we give them! If we are not defined by what they say or by the standards they set, they will not affect us. We should set our standards by what God says and how He sees us, rather than by what fallen humans say and do. We can only be stable and secure if we understand who we are in Christ and what matters most to us.
We can maintain peace in our hearts and minds by meditating on Biblical truths such as:
- I am God’s Masterpiece, uniquely and skilfully made for a good purpose. (Ephesians 2:10, Psalm 139:14)
- God is my sole cheerleader; I don’t need the approval of men. (Galatians 1:10)
- I am a New Creation; my old life of failure and comparison is dead. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- I am the righteousness of God in Christ; I have no sense of guilt or inferiority. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- I am a child of God. (John 1:21)
- I am seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above all pressure and fear. (Ephesians 1:21)
Reflection: Which negative strongholds in your life need to be replaced by strongholds of joy and positivity? What simple habits can help you focus on God’s goodness rather than on circumstances?
Sermon Script： 2026 CG Campaign — Up Part 3
不要让世界或他人定义你
腓立比书 4:7-8 神所赐那超越人所能理解的平安，必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。最后，弟兄们，凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、纯洁的、可爱的、有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，这些事你们都要思念。
许多人正经历饮食失调的困扰，例如厌食症和暴食症。这些问题通常表现为不健康的饮食模式、对食物过度关注，以及对体重或体型的强烈焦虑。造成这些问题的原因可能包括：被拒绝、心理创伤、失去至亲或重要关系、人际关系的挣扎、不健康的文化氛围、身体形象的问题、完美主义、人生阶段的转变、焦虑、抑郁，以及一味讨好他人等。
许多人之所以活得十分挣扎，是因为他们过于看重别人的评价，尤其是自己所爱、所重视之人的看法，并渴望借此获得他们的关注和肯定。这些人可能是我们的父母、同伴、上司、同事、同学，甚至是社交媒体上的人。
在人生不同的阶段，我们都会有不同的“啦啦队员”——那些支持、鼓励和肯定我们的人。按着神的心意，父母本应成为我们一生中最坚定的支持者和鼓励者。然而，我们活在一个堕落的世界里，因此父母并不总能给予我们所需要的肯定、陪伴和鼓励。也许我们成长于单亲家庭，也许家中存在偏爱某个孩子的情况。当我们没有从父母、同伴或那些我们十分看重的人那里得到自己所渴望的关注，而我们又过于在意他们的言语和态度时，内心的不安全感和被拒绝感，就可能使我们陷入自怜，甚至一步步滑向抑郁，或产生自我伤害的行为。
例如，这个世界正借着社交媒体这个巨大的扩音器，不断告诉我们——尤其是年轻人——什么才算是“美”。对于年轻人来说，同伴对他们说的话、以及对待他们的方式，都有着极大的影响力。哪怕只是别人随口评论他们的外表、穿着、长相、说话方式或表现，都可能对他们造成深远的影响。身体羞辱和网络霸凌已经导致不少年轻人伤害自己，甚至走向自杀或自残。
你是否也曾因为别人所说的话对你来说太过重要，而深受困扰，甚至把一些评论无限放大？这些话语或外在标准会对我们产生多大的影响，取决于我们赋予它们多大的分量。如果我们不是由别人所说的话，或他们所设立的标准来定义自己，那么这些评价就无法左右我们。我们应当让神的话语，以及神如何看待我们，成为衡量自己的标准，而不是依据那些有限、软弱、堕落的人所说的话或所做的事。唯有真正明白自己在基督里的身份，并知道生命中什么才是最重要的，我们才能拥有真正的稳固与安全感。
我们可以借着默想圣经中的真理，保守自己的心思意念，活在神所赐的平安中。例如：
- 我是神的杰作，是祂独特而精心创造的，为要成就祂美好的旨意。（以弗所书 2:10；诗篇 139:14）
- 神是我唯一需要寻求认可的一位，我不需要靠人的称许来肯定自己的价值。（加拉太书 1:10）
- 我是新造的人，过去失败、比较的旧生命已经过去了。（哥林多后书 5:17）
- 我是神在基督里的义，因此我不必活在罪疚感或自卑感之中。（哥林多后书 5:21）
- 我是神的儿女。（约翰福音 1:12）
- 我已经与基督一同坐在天上，远远高过一切压力和惧怕。（参 以弗所书 1:20-21）
默想
你生命中有哪些消极的坚固营垒，需要被神所赐、充满喜乐和盼望的坚固营垒所取代？有哪些简单而实际的属灵习惯，可以帮助你更多专注于神的良善，而不是眼前的环境？
讲章系列：UP！细胞小组活动 2026 第三部分