Breaking Free from Body Shame

1. Your body is good: Reclaim God's original design

God made our bodies good, and any way I treat my body is a response to that goodness rather than a punishment of my body for being bad.

God's original design. Our bodies were created good by God, in His image. This fundamental truth is often forgotten or distorted by societal pressures and personal experiences. Reclaiming this truth is the foundation for healing our relationship with our bodies.

Renaming and reclaiming. We must actively reject negative labels and names given to our bodies by others or ourselves. Instead, we should embrace the original name God gave us: good. This process involves:

• Identifying and discarding harmful messages about our bodies
• Replacing negative self-talk with affirmations rooted in God's truth
• Practicing gratitude for our body's abilities and functions

Living in the kingdom. As believers, our bodies exist in God's kingdom, not just in the physical world. This perspective shift allows us to:

• See our bodies through God's eyes, not culture's lens
• Treat our bodies as vessels for worship and service
• Find freedom from worldly standards of beauty and worth

2. Break free from cultural body shame and objectification

My beef is not even with pristine foreheads popping up around the Western Hemisphere, but rather with the expectation that women who meet a certain set of beauty standards are inherently better than women who don't.

Cultural conditioning. Society bombards us with messages that our bodies are objects to be judged, improved, and displayed. This objectification leads to shame, comparison, and a disconnection from our true selves and God's design.

Rejecting objectification. Breaking free from body shame requires active resistance against cultural norms:

• Recognize and challenge media messages that promote unrealistic body standards
• Refuse to participate in body-shaming conversations or behaviors
• Advocate for diverse body representation in media and social circles

Embracing dignity. Instead of viewing our bodies as objects, we must reclaim their inherent dignity as God's creation:

• Treat your body with respect and care, not as a project to be fixed
• Focus on your body's abilities and functions rather than appearance
• Cultivate a sense of worth that comes from being made in God's image, not from meeting cultural beauty standards

3. Rest from the endless pursuit of a "better" body

Stop. Trying. To. Beat. The. Curse. Stop trying to beat the curse.

Accepting human limitations. We live in fallen bodies in a fallen world. Constantly striving to overcome every physical limitation or flaw is exhausting and futile. Accepting our bodies' current state allows us to find rest and peace.

Resting the land. Just as God commanded the Israelites to let their land rest, we need to give our bodies periods of rest from constant improvement efforts:

• Take breaks from dieting, intense exercise regimens, or beauty treatments
• Practice self-compassion when your body doesn't meet your expectations
• Focus on nourishing and caring for your body rather than changing it

Eternal perspective. Remember that our current bodies are temporary. Our ultimate hope lies in the resurrection and glorified bodies we'll receive in eternity:

• Shift focus from earthly perfection to spiritual growth
• Cultivate gratitude for your body's current abilities and functions
• Trust in God's plan for your body, both now and in eternity

4. Your body is not a project to be completed

Simply put, I believe many followers of Jesus are trying to make their bodies good, rather than agreeing that God already made them good and treating them as such.

Rejecting project mentality. Viewing our bodies as ongoing projects to be improved perpetuates dissatisfaction and self-criticism. Instead, we must embrace our bodies as complete and valuable in their current state.

Shifting focus. Rather than constantly working on our bodies, we should redirect our energy towards:

• Developing our character and spiritual growth
• Serving others and fulfilling our God-given purpose
• Cultivating relationships and experiences that bring joy and meaning

Stewardship vs. perfection. While we should care for our bodies, the goal is stewardship, not perfection:

• Focus on health and functionality rather than aesthetics
• Make choices that honor God and support your overall well-being
• Practice self-compassion and grace in your relationship with your body

5. Worship and restoration: The path to body freedom

Worship is the healing our bodies need. When we are enthralled by the glory of God, we will start seeing everything else in its proper light.

Redirecting focus. True healing and freedom come from shifting our attention from our bodies to God. Worship realigns our priorities and perspective, allowing us to see our bodies as God sees them.

Practical worship. Incorporate worship into your daily life and relationship with your body:

• Pray and thank God for your body's abilities and functions
• Use exercise, dance, or physical activities as forms of joyful worship
• Nourish your body with gratitude, seeing eating as an act of stewardship

Restoration through connection. As we connect with God through worship, He restores our understanding of our bodies:

• Experience healing from past body-related trauma or negative experiences
• Discover the true purpose of your body in God's kingdom
• Find freedom from cultural expectations and self-imposed standards

6. Your body is not a marker of righteousness

The Lord looks at the heart.

Heart over appearance. God's assessment of our worth and righteousness is based on our hearts, not our physical appearance or abilities. This truth frees us from the pressure to achieve certain body standards to be "good enough" for God or others.

Redefining success. Instead of measuring our spiritual success by our physical appearance or health, we should focus on:

• Growing in love, compassion, and service to others
• Developing spiritual disciplines and intimacy with God
• Living out our faith in practical, impactful ways

Embracing diversity. God's kingdom celebrates diversity in all forms, including body diversity:

• Recognize that health and ability look different for everyone
• Reject judgments based on appearance or physical capabilities
• Celebrate the unique ways each person's body reflects God's image

7. Embrace personal and collective revival in body image

If and when revival comes, and this story begins to shift for the women in our time, it will be because the daughters of God repented, prayed, and decided they wanted to see their Father in a clearer light than they did before.

Personal transformation. Revival begins with individual hearts turning to God and embracing His truth about our bodies. This involves:

• Repenting of harmful beliefs and behaviors towards our bodies
• Actively renewing our minds with God's truth
• Sharing our journey of freedom with others

Community impact. As individuals experience freedom, it creates a ripple effect in families, churches, and communities:

• Model healthy body image and self-talk to children and peers
• Challenge harmful cultural narratives about bodies in your spheres of influence
• Create safe spaces for others to discuss and heal from body image issues

Cultural shift. Widespread revival in body image can lead to significant cultural changes:

• Increased representation of diverse bodies in media and leadership
• Shift in focus from appearance to character and contribution
• Greater emphasis on health, well-being, and body acceptance in society

8. Your body is not a trophy: Find worth beyond appearance

I believe God wants good for your body. I believe He wants healing and restoration for you. I believe He wants freedom and wants you to experience the wholeness He purchased for you on the cross of Christ. But I don't believe that means you'll look like you've always hoped to look.

Redefining success. Our bodies are not trophies to be displayed or achievements to be unlocked. True success and worth come from living out God's purpose for our lives, not from achieving certain physical standards.

Eternal perspective. Focus on cultivating qualities and achievements that have eternal value:

• Developing godly character and spiritual fruit
• Investing in relationships and serving others
• Using your unique gifts and talents for God's kingdom

Celebration, not comparison. Instead of comparing our bodies to others or impossible standards, we should celebrate:

• The diverse ways God's image is reflected in human bodies
• Our bodies' abilities to serve, love, and worship
• The journey of growth and healing in our relationship with our bodies

By embracing these truths and practices, we can experience profound freedom and healing in our relationship with our bodies, ultimately leading to a more joyful, purposeful life aligned with God's design.

Last updated: August 9, 2024