(My Beautiful Sisters from Fitness with Faith)

It’s officially that time of the year again. In case you didn’t know… it’s SWIMSUIT SEASON! Now, my family and I absolutely love the water! I grew up near a lake and I practically lived on a boat or jet ski all summer. My boys, ages twelve and six, are no different. There’s just something so relaxing and joyful about being near water!

This Memorial Day weekend kickstarted our summer and we spent a couple days poolside. Yes, I’m in heaven! Yes, I go out to the pool wearing the most modest swimsuit possible and a pair of shorts! Yes, I’m also the one toting my Bible as my reading material along with my journal for note taking! I’m sure some may think I’m crazy, but that’s ok.

However, there is something not ok. As I was watching my boys toss ball with their friends in the pool, I noticed all these other women prancing around with beautiful bodies in bikinis and I’m like, ‘How do they do it? I work out and eat healthy, but I surely don’t look like that!‘

I know… I really should have kept my nose in my Bible!

Instead I’m comparing myself to everyone else and I start body shaming myself.

I’m being transparent here. I have struggled with freedom over body image in the past (as I’m sure many women have) and I felt that vice trying to pull me back to that old nature. Let me tell you – body shaming ourselves is not healthy! Comparing ourselves to others is not healthy!

This navel-gazing, as a friend of mine calls it, robs us of the freedom to be who God created us to be! It conforms us to the the identity of the world, stealing us from the identity God established within us in our mother’s wombs! Navel-gazing keeps our eyes pointed downward and inward when our eyes should be upward and outward.

Magazines and media impose images on us of what we should look like – even convincing us what happiness looks like. We play these images over and over in our minds like a stuck record player and the groove they etch in our brains keeps getting deeper and deeper.

But God tells us that He created our bodies perfectly! After all, we are made in His image! So, I let the Word of God tell me who I am. My identity comes from Jesus Christ and this is what He tells me…

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? [1 Corinthians 3:16] For the temple of God is holy and that is what you are. The very hairs of your head are all numbered. [Matthew 10:30] Your head crowns you like Carmel, and the flowing locks of your head are like purple threads. The King is captivated by your tresses. [Song of Solomon 7:5]

I have created you in Our image, according to Our likeness. [Genesis 1:26] But the enemy has come to steal, kill, and destroy – all as a result of sin. Whereas, I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full. [John 10:10]

And because of your confession brought to Me with a repentant heart, I – Your Creator and He who formed you – say, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are Mine. [Isaiah 43:1]

Jesus Christ, My Son, has redeemed you from the curse. [Galations 3:13] The curse of sin from generations ago. You were born under that curse.

But I am a curse breaker, a covenant redeemer, and a life giver to the desolate places!

I have created and all the elements for your restoration back to the image of Eve in the Garden of innocence are available for your beckoning. So beckon them, “Come!” Beckon them, “Create!” Beckon them, “Form!”

I see the future and I see a crown of glory upon your head! Your body emits the glory of the Son, the radiance of the King! All who see will be amazed. The power of God will not be denied, but it will be proclaimed to all who look upon you. For they will see my glory and my honor upon your head. [1 Corinthians 11:15] My covering.

You will stand as a picture of my Bride. Pure. Spotless. Redeemed. Restored. Radiant. Without blemish. Exuberant. Beautiful in the original intent of the word!”

Wow! I can’t even imagine the beauty of Eve, but I bet she was captivating! You know, I’ve never seen an ugly baby or a child that wasn’t absolutely adorable. It’s the beauty of innocence.

Sin is ugly. When God’s children come under the blood of Jesus, He restores us to innocence. Purity. He bestows His radiant glory on us.

Our goals should not be to look like the woman on the cover of a magazine, but rather to look like Jesus. 

They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. God says to you,

“Behold! Child of God, you are beautiful!”

First, God wants us to walk in freedom with a positive body image and confidence of our identity in Jesus Christ. Then God wants us to be healthy. Stay tuned for another post written for those of you who would like to take authority over your body and improve your health the biblical way.

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If this message was for nobody else, I receive it for myself. But I hope you’ve been blessed too and are one step closer to walking in His identity. He loves you and I do too! God bless!