Jul 11, 2025
How did a former anorexic learn to hunger for God?
On today’s Flourish-Meant episode, we dove deep with Emily Wierenga, award-winning author and founder of the Lulu Tree, as she shared her powerful journey from battling anorexia to discovering how true fulfillment comes from hungering for God. Emily opened up about overcoming deep-rooted struggles, finding healing through serving others, and building a purpose-driven life that impacts communities worldwide. Her message? Your pain has a greater purpose and you’re never alone in your struggles. Let Emily’s story inspire you to pursue healing, embrace your calling, and make a difference.
Key Takeaways from Emily’s Story:
The Roots of Disordered Eating: Emily recalls how the loss of connection and early comments about her body triggered her battle with anorexia. She powerfully reminds us that comparison often lies at the heart of eating disorders, but true healing comes from connection, not competition.
A Walk Towards Healing: From the brink of death at age 13 to relapsing after marriage, Emily shares honestly about the ongoing process of healing and the importance of confronting life’s root issues—not just symptoms.
Finding Purpose in Service: Serving her mother during a cancer battle and later founding The Lulu Tree taught Emily that healing can multiply when we serve others. Her experience reminds us that true joy and restoration often begin with blessing the person right in front of us.
Daily Practices for a Hungering Spirit: Emily shares practical wisdom: set boundaries around daily distractions, start with praise and worship, spend intentional moments in God’s presence, and protect your healing by knowing and avoiding your triggers.
The Power of Worship over Performance: Emily encourages us to lift our gaze from ourselves and fix our eyes on Christ, discovering our true identity in Him. Worship isn't about working harder—it's about surrendering everything.
Miracles in Obedience: You’ll love Emily’s remarkable story from Uganda, where a prayer for multiplication resulted in more resources than they could have ever planned—proving again that God meets us when we step out in faith.
Support Emily’s Work & Stay Connected Want to dive deeper into Emily’s journey or support The Lulu Tree? Visit emilytwierenga.com for her books, resources for eating disorder recovery, and details on The Lulu Tree’s mission.
Final Encouragement Emily’s heartfelt message to anyone struggling with eating disorders or feelings of unworthiness: You are valuable. God has a plan and a purpose for you—and even in the darkness, hope and healing are possible when you seek Him first.
We hope you’re as encouraged by Emily’s story as we were. Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with a friend who might need hope today, and stay tuned for more stories to inspire your own journey toward flourishing.
We're thrilled to accompany you on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation. As always, we appreciate your support! Please subscribe and share this episode. We can't wait for you to join us for future episodes of Flourish-Meant.
To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/
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