Our True Worth: For the Christian Struggling with Body Image

Trigger warning: this post does contain references to anorexia and eating disorders. If you are seeking help for an eating disorder, please reach out to a specialist in your area, or contact the National Eating Disorder Association.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Scroll through and tap the photos to browse some of our favorite books related to body image and confidence.

My heart goes out to all who are struggling with their body image and the reflection they see in the mirror, especially women, young and old, who feel like their worth fluctuates with the number they see on the weigh-in scale.

Why? Because I understand your pain. I am that woman. There is hope for all of us, male and female, because our Creator (God) does not measure our worth by our weight – He looks at our heart and sees what is on the inside.

Have you heard the song “Measure of a Man” by 4Him? The lyrics state that this world will judge you based on your outward appearance.

And it’s true. The world has all sorts of systems – from BMI calculators to IQ tests, to rate you by their standards, then they say their findings about you are supported by science.

But, the singers say, human vision is limited. God sees our true worth. He defines our beauty and value by what we have on the inside!

In God’s eyes, our true worth is not measured by our height, intelligence or wealth. He sees our heart. Remember: God made humankind in His image, so we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

Next time you doubt your worth, look up to the One who made you perfectly and remember you bear a resemblance to the Almighty God.

When someone says, “I see Jesus Christ in you” then that is yet another confirmation of your true worth.

I know this is not an easy process. However, our God is patient with us. He knows the depth of our struggles and how hard it can be to break free.

I would like to share some of my real-life stories about my journey to seeing myself as a masterpiece created by God. It is a journey I am still on, but I have come a long way.

I was a chubby kid after age four. By the time I started fourth grade, the bullying and fat shaming began. Approaching my preteen years, I believed that in order to be accepted by my peers, I had to be thin.

Therefore, I made the bad decision to stop eating most of my meals and work out after school every day.

After putting my body through that torture, I did achieve my goal of being “thin” but every time I looked at my reflection in the mirror, all I saw was fat, even though my mom said I was anorexic and she was concerned.

When I experienced a major health crisis that landed me in the hospital at age 16, the doctors prescribed medication that made me gain 100 pounds (literally) in less than five months.

Looking back now I realize that God used that medication to not only help heal me but to save my life because I truly was anorexic.

The medication made me eat real food because it gave me a ravenous appetite that was only satiated by three big meals a day and it also made me crave carbs and sugar.

The good news is that I stopped skipping meals. The bad news is that the medicine drastically slowed down my metabolism and made my body pack on the pounds.

After graduating from college, I gained more weight with the onset of two more medical diagnoses, health challenges that made me more obese.

To this day, I still am fighting these three major medical factors that greatly contribute to my obesity. However, my perspective has changed for the better because I am no longer focused on fitness in an unhealthy way.

I promised my body I will never starve it again on purpose. I also promised myself I will not stop fighting for better health. Only now, my approach to weight loss is healthier and my responses to what I see when I look in the mirror are more gentle and kind.

While I still struggle with my body image, God is helping me see that He loves me because He made me; I am His (Isaiah 43:1).

Over the years, He has connected me with wonderful people in the wellness industry who gave me education and resources that are helping me in my journey to becoming the healthiest version of myself.

And that is a lesson I would like to impart to you today; aim to become the healthiest version of yourself. Not every “body” is made to be thin nor is every body naturally bigger and prone to gain weight.

What matters is making healthy choices every day that honors the gift of the body God gave you. Choices that honor your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Now I want to speak to the ladies on a topic we all know well as the warmer weather of the spring and summer seasons arrive: having a “beach body.”

I saw a sign on social media a while ago that said every body is a beach body!

When you are trying on swimsuits and preparing to wear weather-appropriate clothing for warmer weather (clothing that showcases parts of your body you may still feel critical about when comparing it to how you think it should look), be kind to yourself.

Don’t hate what you see in the mirror as your imperfections. Celebrate the fact that you are alive and able to buy new clothes to wear.

Don’t quit. Keep working toward your health and fitness goals but do it the right way. Please don’t starve yourself. It isn’t worth it, and it makes our Creator sad.

I hope this devotional message has encouraged you to keep pursuing God, work on becoming the healthiest version of yourself and remember that your true worth isn’t based on the measure of a man.

Author Resources: