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Post by someone on May 7, 2009 23:43:06 GMT -5
so brother mike... i was just wondering about your input on body image. for me body image is something that affects me daily. i am constantly worrying about what i look like and what others think about my body. i have struggled with this issue and concept for a while. i am just not happy with who i am or the person i look like. so should we be happy with our bodies daily? i know in the Bible it says that we are perfect in God's image; body and all. but what if we are not satisfied with how we look or what shape our body is? how can someone truly be happy with how they look? i am always finding faults with myself. i dread looking at myself in the mirror because rarely do i see that i am pretty and i don't like the way my body looks. i have even done things to hurt myself and even done bad things in attempt to lose weight and assume my body would become smaller or prettier by them. how can i become happy with who God made me to be and see myself as perfect in His image?
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Post by Mike Miller on May 11, 2009 11:21:54 GMT -5
Ok, a couple of things. First, you are indeed "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Physical beauty is such a subjective and deceptive thing. We place false expectations on ourselves and others--mostly based on the unrealistic standards of media--and no one can live up to them. In addition, physical beauty is a temporary thing. We can't hold on to it. However, the way that God made us is perfect, and true beauty is something that is internal. The Bible talks of "the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" (1 Peter 3:4).
As for the way our bodies look, I will say that it is important to take care of ourselves. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and should therefore be cared for. What I mean to say is that obviously we don't want to damage ourselves intentionally, but even further, we should strive for physical health. That means that overeating or using tobacco or other harmful substances should be avoided. Some people are genetically predisposed to be skinny, while some are predisposed to be heavy. That's ok. But we should never just let ourselves go because that dishonors God.
So, as to your question about being happy with who you are, I would advise you to get some exercise and take care of your body. That will help you have a better frame of mind. When I am in good physical condition, I feel better about myself. Even more important, however, is your relationship with God. Are you walking with Christ? Are you spending ample time with Him every day? Do you have a healthy spiritual life, marked by prayer, worship, and service? If you do, then your focus will be on God and not yourself. And if your focus is on God, then when you see yourself, it will be through His eyes.
This is not something that happens overnight. I can't just say, "Well, try to see yourself the way God sees you." However, if you will focus on your relationship with God, and if you will try to stay in shape, then things will begin to change. What you need is not more self-confidence, but more confidence in God. He is your Creator, and when He made you, He didn't make a mistake. Cling to Him, and you will appreciate what He did when He spoke you into existence.
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