“#Peace– Is it possible to make #peace with the realities of our bodies? How?”
This is one of the topics over at Proverbs 31 Blog Hop for our on-line Bible study Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst. There were more, topics but this one reached out to me as soon as I read it. My first thought was a snide….yea, right, sure..let me get right on that #peace with my body train. Mmm hmmm. Pure disdain in that first thought. But then I switched gears and thought positively, yea, right, sure…let me get right on that #peace with my body train!! Cuz this is one mentally tired girl from the constant battle in my own head that my body is not good enough!!
When I think of the word battle, I think of a fight between opposing opponents. My only opponent is my mind. I’m literally beating myself up. It’s like when my brother would take my arm in his hand and proceed to hit me in the face with my own hand, saying “stop hitting yourself.” If you’ve ever had that happen, you know what I’m talking about and no doubt just got a little annoyed.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been losing my own battle because of what? Numbers on a scale that don’t reflect what I want? Societal standards of skinny, curvy, fat, or obese…pretty, beautiful, gorgeous or that horrible word ugly? And those are just general areas. I could totally dig deeper and start picking on features…like cellulite for example. Every single one of those things is superficial. And seriously, who gets to make those standards and then label me anything less than who I am?
Maybe it was my mom, who to this day, beats herself up and passed it down onto me. Maybe it was the boys who didn’t choose me or the girls who laughed and talked behind my back. Unfortunately, that’s the type of stuff that can take up permanent residency in a place where it doesn’t belong and in reality, no one but me has the power to make myself feel less than who I am.
Lysa wrote in her book “I don’t know a woman alive who is completely happy with her body.” I thought about that and like her, I can honestly say, in my circle of friends not one of them has ever said…I love the way I look!! That’s so sad..isn’t that just so very sad? Sadder still, even when I was “skinny,” I called myself “fat.” Now that I’m bigger, I wish I was as skinny as when I thought I was fat. My brain is tired of this insanity!!
The mean girl in me that mentally abuses myself has lived with me for far too long. It’s time I looked her straight in the face and told her get out!! You’re being evicted and there’s no other space for rent!! There’s a new landlord in town and she’s at #peace with the body God so very graciously and lovingly gave to her.
You see, God is all that and a bag of chips!! He calls me by name, and says “My Grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-NIV) So any weakness I have, I’m covered by His power. That power by the way, raises the dead to life. Just sayin’ So now I can answer that question of how I can be at #peace with the realities of my body.
In my own strength, I will never have peace, but given His strength, His wisdom, His love, and His truth, I have all the #peace I want. I know that if #peace is gone, then I moved. And I know if I moved, He is still there…always and forever….there!! Go getcha some #peace and while you’re at it, grab onto the Love and share Him with everyone you can….including yourself!!
Blessed to be Broken 
Thank you for all that you wrote. It really struck a cord with me.
You’re welcome Doris!! Thanks very much for stopping by, I appreciate it 🙂 Blessings to you!!
Trish, thanks for so openly sharing your heart on a topic that is SO TRUE and unfortunately SO PREVALENT in our society and minds today. It starts with awareness and a choice to accept God’s love and the peace He offers us. Love, hugs, and prayers to you!
Thanks Kristin!! I appreciate you stopping by and for the kinds words!! Gotta stop the madness and start loving the body that gets us through each day!! Half of the battle is the awareness of it. Blessings to you my sister!! Love, hugs and prayers to you as well 🙂
Oh sweet Trish… I, too, would LOVE to have back the days I called myself “fat” as a skinny newlywed! HA! Oh, the deception we allow ourselves sometimes, right? I loved this incredible truth you shared, “In my own strength, I will never have peace, but given His strength, His wisdom, His love, and His truth, I have all the #peace I want.” Bless you, sweet 16er!!! Love you so much!
Awww!! Thanks Christa!! Ya know, we just gotta be thankful for all we’ve put our bodies through and yet they still keep us going!! Gotta stop being our own worst enemies and give ourselves some love!! I appreciate you stopping by and your words of encouragement!! Blessings to you as well. Much love to you dear friend 🙂
Love this! How true that we are often our own worst enemy!!! Thank you for sharing, sweet friend!
Lauren, P31 OBS blog hop team
Thanks for stopping by Lauren!! Glad to be on the M2C journey with you!! Blessings to you and yours. 🙂
Great words of encouragement to speed me on my way in MTC..Thanks
You’re very welcome!! Thanks very much for stopping by, I truly appreciate it 🙂 Blessings to you and God bless on your MTC journey!!