Are you aware when those around you start to have a conversation about their bodies? Perhaps it’s the new diet they are on. The new work out they have been trying, or how they crushed their workout that morning. Maybe it’s them voicing how much they hate the way their legs or arms look. How they will not eat that thing because they will feel fat.
Perhaps you enjoy these conversations with friends because it helps you validate yourself, seeing what those around you are doing and using that as a way to compare your workouts, your diets, or your body to theirs. Or maybe hearing your friends talk about any of this stuff leaves you feeling insecure and inadequate in your own body, and instead you suddenly feel the need to workout, eat certain things and scrutinize your body more.
For me, it wasn’t until recently when I began to take note of the conversations that I have been a part of where this kind of talk was occurring. I can recall conversations dating back to when I was still in elementary school! I’m not sure why in my early twenties this realization is just occurring, but for all I know its because a part of me thought that girls talking about their body in a negative way was just normal. Whether we admit it or not, this is something everyone struggles with. No body seems to like everything about their body. We work out more before bathing suit season. We’re paranoid of what we consume and we analyze ourselves in the mirror.
If this the norm I don’t want to live in it.
And the fact that we believe its normal makes. me. mad!
Dare I say the enemy seems to be winning the battle over our bodies.
Yup, the enemy can make us hate our bodies. Since he cannot steal or ruin our divine inheritances, our eternities, and God’s promises for us, you better believe he is going to do everything he can to make us hate the body, the very vessel given to us, to bring about God’s kingdom.
It’s time to get mad about body image. It’s time we stop letting the enemy of our souls have a stronghold on the way we think and speak of our bodies.
For some negative body image has become a habit, where it’s second nature and you are not even aware you are doing it most of the time.
But for others it’s driven by shame. You feel the need and are pressured by your friends or society to look a certain way and eat certain things in order to be “successful”, “beautiful”, “healthy”.
Do you believe it’s always going to be this way? That because we live here, in this day and age that we have to obsess over our bodies? Is this always going to be an issue?
You, daughter, belong to the Kingdom. Although you live here now, it is only temporary.
“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night – and – day difference he made for you – from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.” 1 Peter 2: 9-10 MSG
“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. Its adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance!” Romans 8:17 MSG
So we should ask ourselves, are we trying to live up to the world’s standards? Are we trying to belong to the world and what they say is good? Or are we living by the standards of what God says is good?
“God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!” Genesis 1:31 MSG
Jess Connolly once said that “to say that our bodies are good is a spiritual act of warfare!”
That’s right! When we know Jesus, we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us to not only defend ourselves against the attacks of the enemy, but we have the power to fight back in Jesus name!
“For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Saying our body is not good is a lie that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. So what do we do then…we DEMOLISH it because by grace through faith we are stronger than it. Because of Jesus, you are stronger than the lie that consumes you. You are stronger than the temptation. You, in Jesus name, are stronger than anything that sets itself up against the truth of what Jesus says.
This goes beyond loving our bodies and self care mantras. In fact I believe we have to if we want to experience the abundant life Jesus was talking about. And guys this isn’t just abundant life promised to us in eternity, its abundant life here and now.
We have to believe that the power, our very own birthright, what God says about us is stronger than anything the enemy can and will throw at us.
At times, it’s easy to forget that our lives here on earth are short. And our bodies, whether they are fit, curvy, flawed, approved of, or loved… are still temporary.
So as daughters of the King, with Holy Spirit living within us, can we change the conversation? Let’s start talking about different things…kingdom things. Things that will actually last. Things that will not burn. Things that will truly satisfy that longing within all of us.
“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.
Your old life is dead. your new life, which is your real life – even though invisible to spectators – is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too – the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.” Colossians 3:1-4
Your body is a good body. Believe that. Declare that. It was made perfectly, exactly as He wanted it. Your body carries the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. It doesn’t matter if they approve, because your Father does. He calls it good, very good, and He is working in and through it.
Based off of and inspired by a message by Jess Connolly.
Hey friend,
Thanks for taking the time to read these words. They were written with you in mind, but to be honest I’m speaking them right back to my own heart.
If we haven’t met, my name is Daysha! I am probably just like you in many respects. Someone who is trying to figure out life, her dreams, and her passions. Discovering who God called her to be, while cheering others on that same journey. A girl who struggles with insecurities, fears and shame. But who is showing up imperfectly for the glory of God and the good of others.
Follow along the journey @daysha.albrecht
Thanks for reading.
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