Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

Today Heather helps explain what a healthy theology of our bodies should look like. Do you have a biblical view of your body and what it was made for or have you been influenced by culture and the wisdom of the world into believing that your body has two purposes: serving God and trying to look or be better? Heather looks at 2 Corinthians 4:7 where Paul talks about our bodies being "jars of clay" and whether or not this instruction is supposed to make us focus on trying to perfect what those jars of clay look like. Heather encourages listeners that they have one main mission and purpose: loving God, loving others, and making disciples of Jesus (the Great Commandment and the Great Commission) and how caring for our bodies needs to support this main mission. Heather ends the show with a look at two Christian influencers who have created a theology of the body that says that plastic surgery is the best way to "throw off the sin that entangles" and why perfecting our bodies in the way culture says they need to be perfected, may be a distraction from our main mission. There's no shame or condemnation for any who have gotten work done, but instead, we can all consider, moving forward, what the best ways to support our body's true mission should be.  Have you read the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Heather uses a bit from Day 4 of the book in today's episode. You'l want to read the whole thing if you haven't already. Learn more here: books-for-christian-women-body-image Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today's show gets a little spicy as Heather calls into question the dieting trends over the past 50 years and where they came from. You'll be shocked to hear who really came up with the low-carb trend. You may even be a little frustrated to learn how some who advocated for eating a certain way have changed their minds as they "reconsider" the science. The question Heather brings us back to today is: What does the Bible say about food? Does the Bible tell us we have to follow whatever food rules are trendy in order to be a good "steward" of our bodies? Does God care about how we eat? Who should we listen to when it comes to taking care of our bodies? There's some big revelations and many questions in today's episode. Consider pausing or journaling your thoughts as you listen to help you find or make peace with food. Have you read the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Many of today's concepts are connected to principles, stories, and charts found in this fantastic new resource. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian or drop Heather an email (Heather @ Comparedtowho.me) if you'd like to read through the book with a group starting May 21st.     Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Heather Creekmore is joined by author Janet McHenry to discuss the many facets of prayer, personal struggles with prayer, and the various "praying personalities" that influence how individuals approach prayer. Janet shares her inspiring journey of navigating health issues and how it led her to a deeper life of prayer, ultimately leading her to write a book about prayer walking. Throughout the episode, Heather and Janet delve into the different ways people can connect with God through prayer, the impact of personality on prayer habits, and the significance of understanding oneself through the lens of biblical characters. Join us as we explore the diverse ways individuals engage with prayer, recognizing the importance of prayer with our God-given personalities and the freedom found in embracing our uniqueness. Want to check out Janet's new book? Buy the book on Amazon here. (Amazon affiliate link, tiny portion of your purchase goes back to this ministry.) Want to know more about Compared to Who?, coaching, and Heather Creekmore's books? Visit: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather asks a poignant question: As you think about your body and body image, are you trying to be cruise ship ready or battle ship ready? There's quite a difference, right? When we prepare for a cruise, we want to look good in a swimsuit and we're looking ahead to a time of fun in the sun. But, if we think about preparing to go on a battle ship, our motivations and goals are different, aren't they? Scripture tells us that if we hold fast to the testimony of Jesus, Satan has declared war on us. (Revelation 12:17) We know from the book of Ephesians that we are in a spiritual battle, not against flesh and blood but against the Enemy. So, what do we believe is most important? What do we believe our bodies are for? Have we believed the lies of the body image idol that tell us that life will be a "funship cruise" as soon as we get the body we've always wanted? Or, do we believe scripture that tells us that Heaven will be glorious, but here on earth, we've gotta be armed and ready for battle? Cruise ship or battle ship? That's the question Heather poses to you today. Not sure about spiritual warfare in body image issues? Listen to these episodes:  https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/exposing-the-enemys-scheme-unraveling-the-spiritua https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/spiritual-warfare-body-image-issues-part-2 https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/reclaiming-your-stolen-identity-spiritual-warfare Ready for body image coaching? Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Gwen Shamblin put the "cult" in Diet Culture as you'll hear today in clips (used under Fair Use law for educational and critique purposes) from the 2023 Lifetime Movie, "Starving for Salvation: The Gwen Shamblin Story." Gwen was starving for salvation, trying to fill a void and an emptiness through weight loss, and eventually through power, money, and control. In today's episode (part 2 of 2) we listen to clips from the movie that show her rapid descent into heresy, denying Jesus, her rejection of grace, and her displays of wrong theology around what makes a woman acceptable or unacceptable in the church. These powerful, hurtful, and unbiblical concepts may still be lingering in churches today (the Weigh Down book sold more than 1.7 million copies and her program is still alive today and at one point was in 14,000 churches.) Heather's call to you today is to be clear on what the Bible says. Be clear about what the Bible really says about our bodies, weight loss (by the way -- it doesn't touch this subject), and food.   Ready to get on the path to body image freedom? Learn more about Compared to Who? at https://www.improvebodyimage.com and find access to online courses, Heather's books and other podcast episodes like this.  Need more help on you freedom journey? Consider becoming part of the Body Image Freedom Framework - learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather digs into the mysterious and disturbing world of diet culture and, more specifically, how diet culture turned into an actual cult in the case of Gwen Shamblin, the Weigh Down Workshops and book, and the Remanent Church. This is part one of a two-part series where we'll walk through the new Starving for Salvation Lifetime movie that is based on Gwen Shamblin's life story. Though it is a fictionalized account, much of what the movie shows was documented in The Way Down documentary that aired on HBO Max a few years ago.  What sticks out to Heather today is how an unbiblical focus and prioritization on weight loss and beliefs about weight loss that are connected to holiness and righteousness set Gwen on a path of heresy and, ultimately, self-destruction. Today we explore some clips from the first part of the film and talk about Gwen's obvious eating disorder and twisted way of thinking about food, God, and the body. All clips in this episode are used under Fair Use law for informational, educational, and critique purposes only. Watch the Starving for Salvation Trailer: https://youtu.be/3C5Od2gpgiQ?si=6bOOZUdejxu4MVW2 Ready for some help with your body image issues? Want to take a biblical approach to finding freedom from body and food issues that bog you down? Learn more about Heather's online course: The Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Learn more about Compared to Who? and Heather Creekmore's books to help Christian women improve their body image here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Heather continues with part two of her first LIVE coaching call with her newest and perhaps bravest client, Presli. Today Heather and Presli talk about how her Ideal Image has kept her chasing an unattainable body size, shape, and look and how it keeps her chasing. We talk about what parts of her life are affected when she tries to become more like her Ideal Image. Presli also shares more of her personal story, her struggles with size and weight through her teens and twenties, and more. Plus: Presli talks about some of the work she has done and sermons she has listened to in the online course: The Body Image Freedom Framework. Would you like coaching too? Consider becoming part of the Body Image Freedom Framework - learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Presli mentioned Heather's book, "The Burden of Better: How a Comparison-Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace and Rest" Have you read it yet? Learn more here. (Amazon affiliate link a tiny portion of any purchases go to support this ministry.) There's still time to join our 40-Day Reading Challenge for Lent! A possible new time slot may open on Thursday afternoons. Learn more here or email Heather (heather @ comparedtowho.me for more information): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather airs her first LIVE coaching call with her newest and perhaps bravest client, Presli. Presli shares her story, how her body image issues began, including her first feelings and recognition of feeling like there was something wrong with her body or that her body was not the right size. Heather and Presli explore the voices and influences that contributed to her earliest thoughts and feelings about her body. They also begin to explore Presli's ideal image and who Presli has believed she should look more like. Heather gives Presli a homework assignment and they talk about the work Presli has done in the online course: The Body Image Freedom Framework. Would you like coaching too? Consider becoming part of the Body Image Freedom Framework - learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching There's still time to join our 40-Day Reading Challenge for Lent! A possible new time slot may open on Thursday afternoons. Learn more here or email Heather (heather @ comparedtowho.me for more information): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

    Today host Heather Creekmore is joined by author Ed Welch for a thought-provoking conversation about biblical counseling, body image issues, and the challenges of Christian teachings in the face of human emotions. The discussion touches on the impact of Welch's book "When People Are Big and God Is Small" on Creekmore's own work in biblical counseling, the importance of finding words to express struggles in biblical counseling and the tension between seeking God's comfort in anxiety and the reality of human emotions. They explore the significance of supportive friendships, prayer, and seeking help from trusted individuals amidst personal struggles. Welch also introduces a new counseling Bible and discusses the diverse applications of scripture in addressing modern struggles.  Here are some key quote takeaways from today's show: "Sometimes we don't speak about the difficult things we experience because we don't think we should have those. Christian the Christian emotional life should be just a little bit better than the majority of people because we have Jesus, So we should be a little bit happier than everybody else, and that'd be anything less than that is to somehow dishonor god and say he's less Powerful." - Ed Welch  How the Psalms can teach us about our emotions: Ed says they teach us to ask, "What is important on your soul right now? How you feel is the same thing. What is especially important to you right now? What are your joys? What are your delights? What are your hopes? What are your ambitions? What are your fears?" Learn more about Ed Welch and the Biblical Counseling Bible here: https://www.ccef.org/people/ed-welch Check out the CSB Life Counsel Bible: https://amzn.to/3SIEi56 (Amazon affiliate link)   👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Are you READY to take the 40-Day Body Image Reading Challenge? This year for Lent (February 14-March 30) Heather invites you to read her brand new, 40-Day Body Image Workbook along with her. Weekly Zoom meeting check-ins will help keep us all reading and accountable. Plus, find community with other women who are also working to improve their body image in a God-honoring way. Find out more about this new challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Haven't bought the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Grab your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Looking for more one-on-one support? Learn more about coaching and the Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching  Interested in being a part of the next LIVE podcast? Make sure you're on the Compared to Who? email list at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather engages in a captivating conversation with author, speaker, and podcaster, Kelly Needham. Together, they delve into Kelly's thought-provoking book, "Purposefooled: Why Chasing Your Dreams, Finding Your Calling, and Reaching for Greatness Will Never Be Enough."  Kelly shares her insights on redefining purpose and the misconceptions surrounding chasing one's dreams and finding a distinct calling. Emphasizing the importance of focusing on Jesus rather than a specific purpose, Kelly challenges what we've heard and said about our purpose and invites listeners to a simpler, more biblical way to approach the topic.  Discover Kelly's shift in perspective as she shares her experiences and biblical wisdom. Kelly reminds us that we can't do great things for God without spending time with Him and that true health and vitality comes from intimacy with God. The pair also talks about over-achievement, working to hard for our own glory, and how this connects to body image issues. Learn more about Kelly Needham here: https://kellyneedham.com/ Grab a copy of her new book, "Purposefooled" here (Amazon affiliate link.) 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Are you READY to take the 40-Day Body Image Reading Challenge? This year for Lent (February 14-March 30) Heather invites you to read her brand new, 40-Day Body Image Workbook along with her. Weekly Zoom meeting check-ins will help keep us all reading and accountable. Plus, find community with other women who are also working to improve their body image in a God-honoring way. Find out more about this new challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Haven't bought the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Grab your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Looking for more one-on-one support? Learn more about coaching and the Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching  Interested in being a part of the next LIVE podcast? Make sure you're on the Compared to Who? email list at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.