your insecurities are not your identity
Your body is a temple, created in God’s image to do good works. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). But sometimes it’s hard to believe that truth. Wherever you are in your body image journey, let’s take a moment to thank God for our bodies and all they do for us.
When your expectations become your identity
Who we THINK we should be — the fake expectations we created in our heads or the ideas presented to us when we were little or the comparison trap we find ourselves in when we scroll or watch or read anything online.
Those expectations you have of yourself aren’t always bad. It’s good to have goals and standards, and work hard to achieve them. Especially as athletes, it’s easy to get trapped in the training cycle, always chasing a better body. However, when your expectations become your identity, you set yourself up for failure.
Maybe you’ve told yourself things like…
“I’ll get the guy when I finally lose/gain the weight”
“I’ll buy these pants because it will motivate me to get rid of the extra 10lbs”
“If only my body looked like hers, then I’d be happy”
“If I have a slice of cake I’m being bad”
Get honest with yourself. What do you tell yourself when you look in the mirror? What expectations have become your identity? Have these insecurities become idols?
Like an opposing team studying their competition, the devil watches the game tape. When you’re standing in front of the mirror calling out your insecurities, he’s looking for weaknesses. “The thief only comes to seek and destroy…” (John 10:10), the enemy will hit you where it hurts, targeting those soft spots — what are those for you? When do these attacks usually strike?
Body image issues usually stem from lies we tell ourselves or lies we’ve been fed by people around us, and it will continue to sting until you play defense. “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
Read John 10:10-18. What does this passage teach us about Jesus’s character?
Playing defense against the lies
Your first line of defense should be the TRUTH! God’s truth and what he says about you. The Bible is a perfect source of truth, because when you know who God is and what God says about you, you can better combat the lies.
Using the index of your Bible, the Bible App, or a quick google search, find THREE verses that describes how God feels about you. A few of my favorites include:
Luke 12:7
Jeremiah 29:11
Ephesians 1:11-12
Psalm 139:14-17
Ultimately, body image issues are rooted in identity; how we view ourselves verses how God sees us. I wish we could see our bodies through God’s eyes, that would be really cool. The next best thing is to get closer to Him, memorize His truths about you, and pray that He can renew your heart and mind.
Read & Reflect on Matthew 6:25-34. What are some key takeaways from this passage?
Use God’s Truth as a Catalyst for Change
This week, surround yourself with TRUTH about your body. Maybe that starts with posting reminders on your mirror, unfollowing certain instagram accounts, and stepping away from conversations surrounding diets or weight loss/gain. Remember that renewing your thought patterns takes time, and just because you are a Christian doesn’t mean you are immune to body image and mental health issues. You are loved ♡
