As a matter of faith, it is imperative that we embrace our bodies as unconditionally as God does. Here are some ways to do that:
Recite affirmations. Reciting body-positive affirmations is a way of being intentional about focusing on the things we love about our bodies.
Resist negative body talk. Next time another woman complains about some part of her body, resist the temptation to join in.
Limit media exposure and analyze it critically. We must learn to be critical consumers of media, carefully monitoring what we accept and what we reject.
Read Scripture. The Bible affirms us as whole people — body, mind, and spirit — called to use all that we are to do God’s will.
Christians have always been counter-cultural. It’s time that we use this heritage in matters of body image and self-esteem. Let’s reject our culture’s norms of beauty that we may embrace our true beauty as daughters of God.
This message was adapted from, “Making peace with our bodies” by Laura Gentry from the August/September 2005 issue of Café. Today is the second Sunday after Pentecost.