Process
God views you through a filter of love, not loathing
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
I’m not sure exactly when I developed my body issues…if this was just a birthright into adolescence, a response to negative commentary or a result of modeling bikinis, but I cannot remember a time when I felt comfortable in my own skin.
In this Instagram and Face-Tune era, the invisible disease of never measuring up, has spread like wildfire. Not only has it infected an even younger generation, but its surpassed gender and age limits. Most people hover between low-grade dissatisfaction and severe self-loathing of their appearance. Although this a common issue, I think we can all agree Body Dysmorphia is beneath us all.
But, truly, what can we do? Instagram is the filter in which we currently view the ‘real’ world.
On my inner healing journey, the Lord has me confronting areas of struggle I’ve pushed to the confines of my subconscious. Yes, God cares about my spiritual life but I’m realizing my mental health and physical experience are important to Him as well.
I may wrestle with self-perception, but God’s all-encompassing love is not superficial. God is all about going deep on any issue holding me back. He cares about what weighs me down and because The Almighty is holding my hand, I am given the courage to work towards my own restoration.
These personal journal prompts have brought me into greater levels of self-acceptance. They’ve uncovered the root of damaging thoughts which shape the way I view myself and the world. Working through unhealthy mindsets has greatly improved the way I see and care for my temple and I know if you take the time to invest in yourself, you, too will see great returns.
Journal prompts for Body Acceptance:
- Write down the negative statements you’ve made about your body.
- Answer the question, “Why am I saying this to myself?”
- Answer the question, “Where did each statement originate?
- Ask the Lord to tell you what He has to say about your body and journal what you get.
- Write a ‘thank you letter’ to God for each of these body parts: Hands, hair, eyes, arms, stomach, skin, teeth, legs, feet.
- Take your time and go into detail about how each of these body parts have blessed you.
- If you feel led, continue to do this exercise until you run out of body parts or organs.
The intention of this exercise is to re-wire your brain and help you associate gratefulness and positivity with your body, instead of focusing on the negative. As you get intentional about stopping sub-conscious loops of comparison and self-hatred, you enter the realm of gratitude, which opens both your mind and body to giving and receiving grace.
Prayer for Body Acceptance:
“Lord,
Thank you for my beautiful body, created in your image. It has carried me all these years and I haven’t been grateful for all it has done to sustain me and my choices.
Lord, forgive me for not being thankful. I’ve allowed my mind to go into comparison and self-loathing. Today I come out of agreement with self-judgment and remove every curse I’ve placed upon myself.
Release me to love and appreciate where I am today so I can go to new heights tomorrow.
Help me stay focused on the souls attached to my healing instead of my perceived shortcomings.
Bless me to be a living testament of love and gentle acceptance of myself and others.
I want to powerfully impact a world of hurting people unable to see their value. I cannot do this if I don’t see my own.
In Jesus’ name, let freedom reign in my mind, body and spirit. Amen.”