I read a long post the other day written by a woman, shared and liked by women, all about how they view their bodies. It really struck me. This post went into details of body image anxiety, body changes they essentially hate themselves for, and how they can’t get past it. I read the post and comments and instantly felt sorrow for these woman.
I didn’t feel sorrow because I can relate…of course I can! I am in my late thirties, I have dealt with acne since adolescence, I have given birth & nursed six children, plus a number of other contributing factors. I know the struggle woman go through. But I don’t feel sorrow for their feelings, I feel sorrow because they are missing a huge part of the picture. Women need to love their body, and here’s why:
Women, Love your Body
Our bodies and images are far too important to the secular world today. There is a ridiculous amount of emphasis on how women should and shouldn’t look. As a result, woman hate themselves because the world has an impossible image of what women should be. Simply, women are forgetting what their bodies were designed for.
Designed with Purpose
Our Lord designed our bodies with purpose; to be a tool for our souls. And just like any other worldly possession, we are called to honor and care for it, not idolize it. God designed our body to be a tool (a temple) to strengthen our souls. He designed our bodies to honor our marriage and our husbands. Our body is perfectly designed to produce, carry and nurture our children. And just like any other worldly thing, it gets worked and worn and was created to work for a certain amount of time.
Women, your body is a worldly possession. Love your body, keep it, honor it, care for it but remember it is just a tool. Our only concerns should be what I mentioned above…to honor God, our husband, and children…IN. THAT. ORDER.
Nowhere does it say that we need to look like anyone else, let alone ourselves years ago. God wonderfully made you, your husband loves you just the way you are, and your children too. Honor your curves, your wrinkles, your scars. They are proof of life.
Tips to Love Your Body
Now for some simple and useful tips on how to begin loving your body just the way it is…
Surrender
First, stop putting so much emphasis on loving your body. You need to put the emphasis on loving your soul and your Lord. Surrender yourself to Him and the next time you look at yourself, you will be able to easily see His wonderful masterpiece.
Pray the Surrender Novena. (Download a copy & learn how to pray it here). Pray in earnest. Ask the Lord to help you love yourself like He loves you. Ask for Mary to be your motherly guide for the journey.
Disconnect
The internet can be a place of wonder, beauty, community and friendship. However, it can also be all-consuming, creating personal pressure on how we think our homes and bodies should look, how we should think and how we should feel. As a result, it can be a dangerous place if left unchecked…one that can cause anxiety & judgment–both on yourself and others.
Here are some tips to combat those evils: Set time limits within your phone and apps so you don’t hang out in there too long or fast from social media all together certain days of the week. Another good idea is to periodically check who you are following and ask yourself: Do these people bring me joy? Do I follow accounts that make you feel good about myself? Am I inspired? Am I extra critical of these people or maybe even judgmental? If the accounts you follow make you feel less about yourself or make you think bad things, unfollow.
Practice Gratitude
Take a good long look at the history of your body. Make a list (a physical list even!) of all of the things your body has gone through with you, of all the joy it’s brought you, of all the things you hope to do. Be proud of those things and thank God for everything you’ve got.
Read more for tips to Showing Gratitude in the Everyday
Love Your Body & Your Soul
I pray this message encourages you to look beyond the mirror and into your beautiful soul. Love your body and remember to always turn to Jesus before the world. He loves you just the way you are, and so should you.
