Genesis 1:27, So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
A Godly and Positive Self Image
My arms are fat. I have thunder thighs. My butt is as big as an elephant. I'd be happy if my face were thinner. I wish I didn't have a double chin. My arms flap in the breeze. I have a muffing top waist. Do any of these statements sound familiar? Are you constantly putting yourself down? As your body changes to a thinner, healthier shape, sometimes our memories of our previously fluffier self seems to stick in our memory. Lots of people have trouble forgetting their thicker appearance, and this can affect their self-esteem.
How can you stifle the mean thoughts that continue to convince you that you are fat? Let's face it, most women, (and even men but they rarely admit it), have a critical eye when they look at themselves in the mirror. Women especially who have struggled with weight sometimes have a harder time shedding the "fat girl" image. What can you do to quiet the unhealthy thoughts that creep into your mind?
Well first let me say that worrying over your physical appearance can ad stress to your physical body. Just the day to day challenges are hard enough without adding your own mental beatings about your physical appearance. To boot, medical researchers have found that women who fret over their weight release the hormone, cortisol, which can raise your blood pressure, lower bone density, add unhealthy belly fat and even cause menstrual problems. Over a longer period of time it may cause even more physical damage.
The answer is to take those thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and replace them with the Love of God. We are made in the image of God. When you criticize yourself, you are criticizing the Lord's perfect creation. He loves you, not for your physical appearance, but for the condition of your heart. The whole reason you are dieting should be to gain better health. Losing weight is a by-product of making better choices. Focusing on so called physical flaws is Satan's attempt to get you to lose your focus on God's unconditional love. If you are worried, or sad, or angry about your physical appearance, then you are probably going to have a horrible attitude and even possibly lash out at a co-worker, child, husband, or even a stranger.
No amount of worrying is going to change your immediate appearance. Instead you should turn your heart and mind towards the Lord and give him praise for your health, family, jobs, house, food, friends and more! Use that negative energy and turn it into good. Give someone a hug, call a friend and encourage them, go for a walk, write an encouraging email to a co-worker...It may seem a bit “Kumbaya,” but this mental adjustment and focusing on others will improve your self-image! When you give love to others your inner self is rewarded with a fulfilling joy and happiness and that has a positive effect on your physical appearance.
Remember, you are a "Godly creation". You are worthy. You are beautiful. Let Jesus shine from within and your physical appearance will change too! Others will see your inner beauty which will totally overpower any physical flaws that you think you might have. Really! It's a biblical principle.
