A Breakthrough on Body Image

 As some of you know, I've been following a new lifestyle eating plan since January--with great results. I have more energy, fewer stomach problems, and generally feel much better. But making time for regular exercise is still hard for me. SO I recently had lunch with a friend, who has the same difficulty. We decided to become exercise accountability partners.

 

Well, satan had a field day with me after that. Here's what I wrote to her: "I have to admit, I have been struggling with whether or not this is the right time for me to attempt this new plan, since summer is coming. But Carey and I've talked about making a daily summer schedule for the boys, and I told him I want to include my exercise in that...I need to make it a priority (and not an afterthought).

 

The other thing I've been struggling with emotionally and spiritually is this stronghold in my life...over body image. It's been an issue since I was a teen, and a certain family member harped on my weight a lot. When I start to try to improve the way I look, I hear voices telling me I'll never get to my goal and that I'm a failure (though I've lost all the baby weight--over 50 plus pounds--from having Jax). I recognize that the lies are from satan, but when I was sick this week it was hard to fight it."

I know so many women who struggle with this same thing. We never feel good enough, and we listen to the culture (and the Hollywood media, especially) that says "thin is in" and "anything over size six is fat." (Crazy!)

But I'm tired of the devil winning this battle. There are so many important, wonderful things in my life that demand and deserve my attention. And for me, washboard abs are not one of them.

 

So I prayed and really asked God (DUH!) what my goal should be. It sounds silly, but that was scary to me as a recovering perfectionist, b/c what if He had said I was just fine the way I was--could I live with that? And I asked for healing and release from this stronghold.

 

Here's what I relayed to my buddy:

"Do you know what God reminded me of when I asked Him what my goal should be? Second Corinthians 5:9, which says, So we make it our goal to please Him.

That hit me like a lightening bolt!

 

It was the key...and something I've been missing in all my years with this issue. I've been separating it from my spiritual life and thinking I can do it on my own--asking God's help to be "disciplined" and stuff, but not really letting Him live through me.

 

Jesus is sooo sweet. He reminded me with one verse that He loves me, and if I just make choices that will please Him--and pray through my day--He will honor that. I can rest assured that when I please Him, all the other stuff (weight, measurements, etc.) will fall into place.

And He also asked me, why in the world should I be harder on myself than He is?"

My dear friend, if you're tired of listening to the same old voices shouting the same old lies at you, ask the Lord what your goals should be. See what He says, and refuse to listen to the world. Seek freedom--which comes from listening to the truth.

 

Remember Jesus said in John 8:32, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
 

And above all, don't forget that He loves and accepts you more than you can comprehend, just you as you are!