Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

Today we're praying for God to give us a new view of food. Some of us have feared food. Some have treated it like a savior. But the best way to interact with food is to see it as a good gift from God. God designed us to eat. He designed our bodies to run on food. And, he gave us a wide variety of food textures and flavors and a tongue and mouth that could sense them all. If we were supposed to live on manna (the kind of bread God gave the Israelites every day when they were wandering through the desert), he would not have designed our bodies this way. Neither would he have promised those Israelites that someday they'd go to a land of "milk and honey" -- implying that someday, they'd be satisfied by sweeter and richer foods! Today we pray for help in recategorizing food. We pray for help in listening to our bodies so that we can learn to eat more intuitively. We also pray for release from rules, restrictions, and mental strongholds around food. Today's Action Step and Verse for the Day Around Praying for a New View of Food Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:31, KJV: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31, NASB: Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. Action step: Write a note to God thanking him for the gift of food. Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over your body image and food? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Like we talked about yesterday, an important part of this process is seeing and believing something new about your body and your value and even food and what it’s intended for. Today we are praying for truth and clarity around food rules. What we need to remember is that there is a lot of lower case "t" truth in this world. There are lots of "truths" about what we need to eat to be healthy, what we need to do to be healthy. But if you’ve been on this planet for a few decades, you may have noticed that all of these little "t" truths tend to change. Eggs are good, eggs are bad, eggs are good… If you’re close to my age, you may remember eating low fat in the 1990s or eating Special K cereal to get “skinny” in the 1980s . . .but now, we’d be aghast to the thought of eating carbohydrates to be healthier (at the time of recording) everyone is eating Keto or low carb. These little "t" truths are always changing, always shifting. If we put our hope in them to save us and to keep us healthy, or give us a body that will keep us safe or protect us from the opinion of ourselves or of others – but chasing this small t truth will always put us in a maze with no exit. When the Bible talks about knowing the truth and the truth setting us free – like in John 8 – it’s not talking about knowing the truth of the world or the truth of the day, it’s talking about knowing Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life. If you want true freedom, you have to know him. Lean not on your own understanding -but lean on him. It is Jesus’ truth that sets us free and not the truth of the day from a YouTube influencer or some marketer selling you something. If freedom is what we seek- Jesus is the only place we can find it. Action Step and Bible Verses for Praying for Clarity and Truth Around Food Rules Bible Verse: John 8:32 – You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. and John 1:14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Action: Write a list of “truths” you’ve believed about the way you eat, health, your body – Now line these up with scripture. How many of these truths are unchangeable?   Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over food and your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Are you praying for a healthier relationship with food? Are you always restricting or binging? Do you obsess over food or feel like thoughts of food run your life? Do you fear food or what food might do to you? Are you caught up in labels like "good" foods and "bad" foods? If so, today's episode is for you. For the next few days we’re going to pray for our relationship with food. Even if you don’t think food has ever been an area of struggle – you may be surprised as we go through these daily prayers. I’ve found even with clients that I’m working with for skin or other size issues beyond weight – food is often a part of the equation, even if it’s not the biggest issue they’re dealing with at that moment. Sometimes we don’t feel like food is an issue because we’re in a season of controlling it and maybe controlling it in a way that feels “successful” to us. But trust me, even if you’ve got it managed now, food issues are usually lurking there with body image issues. Today – I want us to begin to pray for peace with food. Food was never something we were supposed to have our lives revolve around. Food is not to be the greatest love of our lives, nor is it to be the greatest thorn in our flesh – Food is just food. It’s just the nourishment system God created for us to live. Decisions around food aren’t moral or spiritual most of the time. Instead, they should just be decisions about feeding our body so that it feels good and can do what we need to do to serve the Lord each day. But, many of us don’t feel peace with food. We stress about food. We refuse dinner invitations because we don’t know what will be served. We dread the holidays or birthday parties or other celebrations because of the food we’ll be “tempted” to eat. Listen to that language that we use  like, "temptation," as if it’s an evil thing from the devil tempting us to sin against God. Instead, it's just some delicious piece of cake encouraging us to enjoy it’s flavors. There’s nothing about eating cake that breaks God’s laws. The only laws we are tempted to break are the laws of diet culture. We’ll talk about that more in the next few days -but today we’re going to pray for peace. Praying for a Healthier Relationship with Food Action Step and Verse Verse of the Day: Matthew 15:11, ESV, "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Action: Take 10 minutes and evaluate your relationship with food. Is food the enemy? Is food dangerous? Does food consume too much of your thought life or time? Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over your relationship with food? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Yesterday we talked about praying for freedom from what others think of us, but today we're talking about praying for freedom from what we think of ourselves!! What happens when we have ideals or expectations for ourselves that we can't meet? What happens when our opinions of ourselves are crippling us or making us obsess over how we "should" be better or different? Today, Heather talks about how when we’re overly worried about our opinion of ourselves, we've placed our own opinions of ourselves in a position where they are more important than God’s opinion. Heather uses her "Book of Heather" illustration today that will help drive home how God spoke to her about finding freedom from her opinions of herself. If your biggest fear is what you think of you--or feeling disappointed in yourself--this episode is going to hit home! Praying for Freedom from My Opinions of Myself: Verse and Action Step Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:3, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself." Action Step: Get honest with yourself. Do you have a book of you: a book of rules you try to live by and often elevate to a standard higher than God's? Ask God to help him elevate HIS opinion of you above your opinion of yourself! Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over your opinions of yourself? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today in our month-long series where we are praying for your body image, we pray for protection from the opinions of others (or approval) related to our body image. Worrying about what others will think of your body is a type of fear. For some, we fear the opinion of parents – mom or dad's opinion of your body has always heavily influenced your own opinion of your body. If mom doesn’t think you look good, you can’t think you look good. For others, we fear the opinion of friends, exes, or "everyone." What would it be like to be free from the opinion of others? What would it mean to genuinely believe that your Father is the creator of the universe--the most important opinion in the whole world–and that he loves and accepts you so no one else’s opinion matters as much as his. In my book, Compared to Who?, I talk about how it must feel to be one of the royal children in England or how it would be to be a President’s daughter. At some level, I think you’d feel confident and somewhat important just by nature of birth. As scripture reminds us, we are adopted children of God. Because of who your father is, you are important and valuable, no matter what anyone else says or thinks. Again, this doesn’t free us to act unkindly. We still must love others even those who aren’t kind to us. But we can act confidently even when we disappoint others because we are not bound to live by their opinions of us. Today's Verse and Action Step for Praying for Protection from the Opinions of Others and our Body Image Today's Verse: Proverbs 29:25: Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Today's Action Step: Be aware! Who are you trying to please? Whose thoughts about your body are still influencing your thoughts about your body? Pray about it and see what God reveals to you. Then, ask him to help free you from their opinions. Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over the opinions of othersabout your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Like shame – condemnation can weigh heavy on us. Condemnation can shout loudly at us when we eat something culture says is bad or if we don’t do something we thought we should or were supposed to do or if we miss a workout, or if we didn’t lose the X number of pounds we resolved to lose last year! There are many opportunities for condemnation to join shame and scream at us that we’re doing something terrible. But, as I’ve worked with clients over the years, I’ve noticed it’s hard for us not to side with condemnation – we think of condemnation as that mean personal trainer for the gym who is making us work hard, but it’s actually for our own good. But, there is no condemnation that is for our good. Condemnation’s purpose is to kill us, to steal the life from us, to destroy our joy. Condemnation is not from the Lord. It’s from the devil. I did an episode last year about condemnation versus conviction. When the Holy Spirit wants us to change a behavior or to correct our ways after doing something that violates God’s law – he will tell us- But the Holy spirit’s conviction is very specific and loving – he is trying to guide us in a way that leads back to him – not scream us into a pit of depression and self-loathing.   Verse: Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," Action: Listen to condemnation versus conviction episode so you can learn to tell the difference. https://comparedtowho.me/condemnation-vs-conviction-win-the-mental-body-image-battle/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Shame is what keeps us afraid and hiding around our body image issues. When we’re embarrassed, we will do anything to cover our shame. Sometimes it seems like the easiest route to covering our shame would be to "get" the body/outside appearance that we want so we will be safe from condemnation or the opinions of others. But, shame is deeper than our skin. What often happens is that we may have a successful physical transformation, but the shame remains. Then it feels even more hopeless because what was supposed to take our shame away didn’t work. The only one who can take away our shame is Jesus. No matter how much you’ve been bullied by yourself or others for your body – no matter how much shame you feel about your body or your eating disorder or anything in your past – Jesus is the only one who can take away the shame. Verse and Action Step related to Praying for Protection from Shame About Body Image Verse of the Day: Romans 10:11 – Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. Action: Share with a friend (a trusted friend, your husband, a mentor--must be someone you can trust) what you've been struggling with and how you've felt shame. You don't have to share details. Only share what you want. If you don't have anyone to share with - drop me an email at Heather @ compared to who (dot) me. Want more of Heather’s story? Read Heather’s book, Compared to Who? Start reading the first two chapters free here: Compared to Who Book for Christian Women on Body Image or https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready to start reading the Bible more? Try Heather’s 10-Day Bible Reading plan on You Version here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29320-compared-to-who-a-10-day-plan-to-improvebody-image Ready to get free this year and tired of the lies? Try Christian Body ImageCoaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Christian Body Image Coach, Heather Creekmore, has never worked with a client who didn’t have a soundtrack of lies that she listened to regularly. Lies rage and tell these women they are lazy, ugly, not good enough, or should feel ashamed. Today we talk about the lies -- how easy they are to listen to and how important it is to block them out after you identify them.  Most of us will say things to ourselves that we would never say out loud to someone else. One challenge for many of us is we gaslight ourselves into believing the lies. We’ve heard these lies for so long that we don’t challenge them anymore, they’ve become part of our identity. They become truths that we’ve just come to accept about ourselves. But they are not the truth. They are lies!  Today in our Tune Into Him Body Image Prayer series, we talk about the first step in identifying the lies and we pray for protection from the bombardment of lies that the enemy sends. Verse and Action Step related to Praying for Protection from Fear Around Body Image Verse of the Day: John 8:44 reveals Satan’s character as a liar- the father of lies. We don’t have to listen to Satan or his lies. "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Action: Start a lies list – what are the lies you hear about your body, your worth, your eating? Write them down -this helps you see clearly that they are lies. Want more of Heather’s story? Read Heather’s book, Compared to Who? Start reading the first two chapters free here: Compared to Who Book for Christian Women on Body Image or https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready to start reading the Bible more? Try Heather’s 10-Day Bible Reading plan on You Version here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29320-compared-to-who-a-10-day-plan-to-improvebody-image Ready to get free this year? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Most who struggle with body image and eating issues struggle with fear at some level. We may not call it that. We may call it "diligence" or "perfectionism" or "anxiety" or "body worry," but under it all is fear. We’re afraid of the opinions of others, we’re afraid of being unaccepted or misunderstood, and we’re afraid that if we don’t try our hardest to do everything just right then things will go wrong and it will be all our fault. We are overly responsible for ourselves and perhaps for others around us too. And, this feeds our fear. We maintain this posture of hyper vigilance, hoping that being super aware and super responsible will somehow keep us safe. But,  as we know from scripture – worry doesn’t keep us safe. Jesus asks in Matthew -who of us can gain a single hour of our life by worrying about it. Worrying about our bodies, our size, every morsel of food that goes into our mouths doesn’t make us any safer. In fact, studies show that the more we worry – the harder it is on our bodies. Stress is a bigger contributor to all diseases than sugar. Today, we pray for protection from that fear. We do our best and then we trust God with the rest. But our best in the area of food and body–stewarding our bodies well–does not mean we have to follow the advice of every latest influencer. We’ll drive ourselves bonkers trying to incorporate every guru's tips to a healthier life. Instead, to become good stewards, I think we need to become better students –not taking care of our bodies the way that everyone else says we should--but listening to and paying attention to what makes our bodies feel good and what helps us feel fit to serve Jesus without fear of the number on the scale or fear that we aren’t doing it right. Verse and Action Step related to Praying for Protection from Fear Around Body Image Verse of the Day: 1 John 4:18 says,"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." Action: Write down 5 things you are afraid of. Ask God to help you with thos fears today and begin to pray specifically that God would help you to not be afraid of those things every day this week. Want more of Heather’s story? Read Heather’s book, Compared to Who? Start reading the first two chapters free here: Compared to Who Book for Christian Women on Body Image or https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready to start reading the Bible more? Try Heather’s 10-Day Bible Reading plan on You Version here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29320-compared-to-who-a-10-day-plan-to-improvebody-image Ready to get free this year? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today our body image prayer is focused on praying to renew our mind. It’s really important that we understand that this battle with our body image, with food, with the way we look, what we weigh, what size we are, what our skin looks like – these are not battles with the mirror, the scale or public opinion of our bodies – these are battles in our mind and in our hearts. The battle is between what we choose to believe is important, what we choose to believe makes us valuable, loveable, and gives us worth. This world has programmed our brains – the diet culture – parents, family members, friends, to think about food and body in a certain way. Renewing our minds is an activity we must embark on daily--even hourly--so that we can think about our bodies and our worth in the way God wants us to. Today's verse and action step for a renewed mind: Today's Verse is Romans 12:1-2: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Action Step: Read Romans 12:1-2 and memorize it! Ready to get in the Word everyday? Try Heather's 10 Day Bible Reading plan on You Version here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29320-compared-to-who-a-10-day-plan-to-improvebody-image Ready to get free this year and renew your mind? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.