Look what you’ve done. For the longest time I lived in shame, I lived in the world that I had created in my head. I listened to what the enemy said to me, he did everything that he could do to break me down. It wasn’t until I realized that I was made in God’s image that I realized how precious my life was. It wasn’t until I found out that I was a temple of the Lord that I became aware of the consequences of my actions. When I realized that I was formed in my mother’s womb by his great and all mighty hand. The same hand that created the stars in the sky, the moon hanging in the dark air, and the golden grass fields with the sunsetting. That same hand-created ME? Yes, the answer is yes. Not only did he create me, but he also named me. His own, adopted into his family that is who I am.
The good news is that you are the same way, my sweet friend. You are named, chosen, and handcrafted just like Etsy, by the great almighty, the first and the last, our great and powerful LORD.
I was in a dark place, I felt ashamed to talk about my past. I was discouraged by others around me. I felt that the world was against me and that no one could help my problems. But these were all lies that I was being told. The first time I came out and talked about my eating disorder was HARD, but it was the best decision I ever made. I was going down a path of self-destruction and those first words I said made a 360 degree turn for me. After I talked about it, I was able to get help and freely say how I felt. Did it take time? Yes. Was it easy? No. But good things are hard my friend. Am I completely healed? No. It will all come with time. God works in me every day to keep moving forward. Along the way, I had support from many people, and I used many resources. Whether you think you do or not, everyone can grow and improve their body image. Society has destroyed our brains to think we should look one way over another, this is not true. God created us to be different and uniquely perfect in his eyes.
I encourage you to look into these resources and tips, they have changed my life and the way I view myself.
Positive self-body talk
Stop talking negatively about yourself. That’s all there is to it.
CHART METHOD- If you struggle with bad body talk write a T chart. On the left side write the negative thought and on the right side write the truth that God says about you and scripture to back it up
POSITIVE AFFIRMATION MIRROR- Write down all the things that you love about yourself, scripture, or happy thoughts on sticky notes, then line your mirror with these sticky notes. Every time you look in the mirror you will be reminded how much God loves you and how you should love yourself the same.
Reminders on your Phone- A simple way to keep thinking positively about yourself is by setting alarms every 30mins or every hour. When the alarm goes off stop everything you are doing and take a minute to pray. Pray over everything in your life. Ask Jesus to heal the parts of your body that you struggle with, whether that be inside or out.
Prayer Journals- Praying out loud is very good, but sometimes our minds can wander. By starting a prayer journal you can write down and stay exactly on point.
Reflection Journals- Every evening take 10 minutes to pray and then reflect on your day. How did you talk to yourself today, what did others say to you today. Did anything in specific bother you? How are you really feeling? This is a journal where you want to be 100% honest.
The Power of Prayer
Pray. Pray. Pray. Keep on Praying.
Pray over the meal- Now this sounds like a standard practice right. Everyone prays over their meals, it’s just a thing we do. But a lot of society just goes through the motions, not really thinking in deep thought. I challenge you to pray over everything you eat. Ask God for it to bless your body, ask him to make sure you have enough you need right then. Really get deep in this prayer, ask him to take all your worries away.
Pray first thing- Make this a priority in your life. Pray over your day, ask God to take all worries and cares away from your hands and into his. Ask him to keep your mind away from negative thoughts on yourself and more focused on his glory and forever reign.
Pray last thing- Pray at the very end of the day. Thanking God for all the beautiful things he has placed in your world. For the food he has allowed for you, for the family he has blessed you with and for the forgiveness he has had on his people.
Pray for others- Sometimes the greatest way to get yourself out of your head is to pray for other people. Start asking for God to use you to bless other people. God will turn Your MESS into His MESSAGE.
Bible references
Go to your bible and read Gods truth about your life. He is the only thing you should truly get your validation from.
Romans 12:6-8: We all have different gifts from God, be grateful for what he has blessed you with and pursue towards what he has called you to.
1 Peter 4:10-11: Now that you know that God has given you a gift, we all need to keep in mind that these gifts are for HIS glory not our own.
1 Corinthians 12: Different gifts are given to different people but by the very same GOD.
Romans 12: Every Person has a different way of dealing with their gift but for the same purpose for the Lord.
1 Corinthians 12: Overall no matter what Gift you have been blessed with you are all a part of Gods glory and Family.
Psalms 139:14: Praise him no matter what, you are a gift.
Proverbs 31:30: Just remember years will come and go, you will grow old gray hair but Jesus will love you the same forever more.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20: You my lovely friend where bought for a very expensive price, honor and praise God in that. You are special and unique in many ways.
Book/Media References
There are so many great things that God has given us in this modern day time.
Breaking Free from Body Shame by Jess Connolly
Live by Sadie Robertson Huff
PODCASTS
Whoa that's Good
How to replace Anxiety with Joy
Body Image and Relationships: How God redeems our Imperfections
Anwersering your DM's: Eating Disorders, Friendship, and Forgiveness.
How to have your life not Suck
Becoming Something
Episode 103: Food
Episode 101: Lies that young adults believe
Episode 96: Finding freedom from Sin
Episode 89: Spiritual Gifts
Episode 84: Insecurity
Episode 53: Get out of your head
Episode 51: Overcoming shame
All of these ways can help you my friends. Use them in the right ways. Pray to the Lord and trust him 100%. He loves you more then you could ever imagine.
love this JENNA!!!! you are so strong and i appreciate your openness. you are a beacon of light for others and God is using you to do great things. keep your head held high because you are HIS child!!! LOVE YOU AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING <33