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July 10, 2019 |
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. … Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!” Genesis 1:27, 31a (NLT)
I can remember having body-image issues since I was in elementary school. I suspect I’m not the only one — we all have them. It’s as if every woman on the planet shouts in agreement: “What is the perfect body, anyway? I don’t know, but I know it’s not mine!”
Thankfully, my husband has been very encouraging in this area. He’s often telling me I’m beautiful. Oh, to see myself through his eyes — and the Father’s eyes! Yeah, my husband tells me I’m beautiful … and then he’s off searching for his glasses, because he can’t see the new text on his cell phone.
Let me take you back to elementary school. Around fifth or sixth grade, I stopped eating. From sunup until sunup the following the day, I would fast. And it wasn’t because I was holy or wanted communion with God.
I would go days without food because I thought I was fat.
Was I fat? No, not at all. In fact, I was very slim. So where did I get this distorted image?
Maybe it was from TV and magazines. Or perhaps watching my mother stress about diet. Regrettably for me, I think it went much deeper than that.
I wasn’t a Christian growing up, and therefore I didn’t understand that my body was made by God and for God. Moreover, I didn’t understand why my body started changing into the beautifully crafted design God purposed for His glory.
All I saw were repulsive lumps, bumps and unwanted foreign terrain. It took many years to overcome the broken tape playing in my head about body image and self-worth. Every once in a while, the old broken tape plays without my permission, and I have to be deliberate about turning it off. It even creeps into the bedroom where I’ve had the thought, Not tonight, honey. I feel fat. The struggle is real, and I know what it feels like.
A few years back, I strategically tackled all the lies, working at them daily, and finally landed on a healthy balance with food and my body. I set out on a mission to eat only when hungry, to consume what I needed for fuel and good health, and to journal daily for a year about how I felt about food, my body and my overall emotional health. The process was very revealing, and I discovered a lot about myself and having a healthy body image.
What about you? Have you ever hated your body? Has that ever affected your sex life? It has mine, and I’ve learned it’s important to prevent my inner body image struggles from hindering my life, particularly in marriage. God created me to give myself completely in marriage — heart, body, mind and strength — with a love life that glorifies Him, despite whatever negative body images I might have.
It’s not always easy, but let’s remember who made us in the first place: God formed humanity “in his own image” (Genesis 1:27b).
“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:13-14, NASB).
Don’t just read that. Let it sink in. Marinate in it. You are made in God’s image!
The Bible doesn’t give us specifics as to how Eve looked when God fashioned her. Knowing His creation so well, God probably excluded this information from His Word on purpose. He knew we’d compare! Rather, we can be kind and stop beating ourselves up over the parts of our bodies we don’t like.
So, let’s take a look around at all the various shapes and sizes God has made, and remind ourselves that God wonderfully made each of us, male and female, and said, “It was very good”(Genesis 1:31a).
Dear Lord, thank You for designing humanity in all different shapes and sizes. Help me seek Your truth in all things. Heavenly Father, give me a heart that fully embraces the body You gave me, and help me to see myself as beautiful, just the way my husband and You see me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (NASB)
RELATED RESOURCES:
Getting married or know someone who is? Do you want to set your marriage on fire? The Intimacy You Crave: Straight Talk about Sex and Pancakes by Lucille Williams brings relatable, real-life stories of everyday women that will challenge and equip you to work toward a greater intimacy that infiltrates every area of your married life. Pick up a copy HERE.
CONNECT:
Lucille would love to hear from you. For refreshing, honest conversations and a safe place to laugh, cry or love, connect with her at LuSays.com.
Enter to WIN your very own copy of The Intimacy You Crave by Lucille Williams. In celebration of this book, Lucille’s publisher is giving away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify each one in the comments section by Monday, July 15, 2019.}
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
If you’re married, try not to project your body issues onto your husband. If he says you look good, believe him! If you asked your man what he finds attractive about you, his answers might surprise you.
Are there healthy steps you can take toward loving your body? For my married sisters: What steps can you take to create greater intimacy with your husband?
© 2019 by Lucille Williams. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Barbour Publishing for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.
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Matthews, NC 28105
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Originally published Wednesday, 10 July 2019.
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