Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

Yesterday, I shared one way I (ineffectively) tried to fix my body image. Truth is, after I tried and it failed, I wasn't all that surprised. Why? Because I knew the real reason I wasn't happy with my body had to be because I was single. Deep down I was sure if I just had a man, all these body image issues would evaporate without a trace. Boy was I wrong. Hear all about it and read about it on the blog by clicking here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/what-i-thought- would-fix-my-body-image-part-two-marriage I've blogged about this a bit before, so if you want to read more, you can do that here or here. Or, if you just want to hear how it happened--straight from the horse's (embarrassed) mouth. Listen to today's episode or click to watch today's video: Questions for reflection If you are married, did you believe that marriage would solve (or at least help) your insecurity or body image struggles? Did it? Do you still believe that a "mere man" can fix body image issues? Has your husband helped you in the arena of body image? Does he struggle to know what to say or do when you talk about your struggle? (If so, recommend this post-- How to Help Your Wife With Body Image Issues-- to him!) If you are single, have you ever thought "If I just had a man . . .I wouldn't struggle?" (It's okay if you did, that's what I believed! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

It's Day Five of our Spring Break Free! Today, I share what I thought would fix my body image. It's almost embarrassing now . . . I can't believe how naive I was to think this would ACTUALLY work. But, I tried it.  Some of you will think it was extreme  . . . All I can tell you is: It didn't work. Watch today's video for more: Question for reflection Did you ever believe that people who were in great shape (like the instructors of personal trainers at a gym) never struggle with their body image? If we believe that body image issues are internal issues, not issues related to how our bodies actually look--doesn't it make sense that women of every size and shape could struggle? How does this strike you? Do you feel more apt to believe that certain women struggle more or less than other women do? **Scroll down to answer in comments if you want to be part of the discussion. Or, answer privately in a journal for prayer and reflection later!** Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you know how to spot a woman with body image issues? Do you know what she looks like? Is she thin? Overweight? Is she wearing make-up? Or has she never set foot in a Sephora? Does she spend lots on her hair and nails or are those salons places she'd never visit. Is she in her thirties, forties, or as young as middle or high school? My answer: Yes. Women with body image issues don't meet a particular type. In fact, you may just see one in today's video. Watch the first part of my story. Here I tell you about when my struggle began. Questions for reflection If you struggle with body image, have you ever stopped to think about your personal story? When did your struggle begin? Can you pinpoint a time in life? If you feel comfortable, share it in comments below. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In today's installment of the Spring Break Free we will take a look at why body image issues are so hard to fix! There are seemingly so many "solutions" out there as to how to stop stressing over your body. Body love, body pride, body transformation--each of these "solutions" is sold to us as an effective cure. But what if the real problem with our body image has nothing to do with our actual bodies. That's what we talk about in today's episode. Don't forget to go to the FULL show notes to get your discussion questions.      https://comparedtowho.me/category/spring-break-free-body-image-course/      I took my child to the doctor the other day. Pink, itchy spots covered his little body. He had a fever of 103 and was barely able to eat. The doctor's diagnosis: He has a broken leg. She put a cast on it and said to come back in six weeks to get it removed. If this were really the scenario, if my doctor was truly this lousy at diagnosing illness, I think I'd find a new one immediately. Wouldn't you? Obviously in the scenario above, my son doesn't have a broken bone. He has a virus or other contagious illness. A cast on the leg won't fix it. Friends: This is exactly what I believe the problem is in our culture. We are trying to fix the "virus" of body image issues with a plaster cast. Today I explore some of the ineffective ways culture tries to "cure" body image issues. Some of these proposed "cures" are obvious, others are more discreet. Question for reflection In what ways have you tried culture's cures for your body image issues? Have they worked? Don't miss a single day of the Spring Break Free! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Day Two of the Spring Break Free! Why are there so many body image issues? Today we define some terms. What is body image? Is there a connection between how you look and your body image? What's Body Dsymorphic Disorder? And, finally, why do so many women struggle with their body image? Watch today's video and see if you agree with Heather's analysis. If you don't believe me about the Carrie Underwood thing . . .Here's a link! It's a few years old (I'm assuming she's changed a bit! But I don't know!) Questions for reflection Do you feel like a lot of women you know struggle with their body image or do you feel alone? Have you ever considered the fact that one's physical appearance doesn't connect to their body image? (Here's a post on this topic if you need to read more!) It's not too late to invite a friend to join . . .Forward this or use social media channels below. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to Day One of the Spring Break Free! I created this course in 2017 as a companion or use-along with my first book, Compared to Who? This course is all about helping you get free. I want you to be free from body image stress and comparison's burden. Friends Don't Let Friends Struggle With Body Image Alone Have a friend that needs body image encourgement? Use the email or a social media link below and share with her. Trust me . . .most women need encouragement in the body image arena! Or, gather some friends online and start a Bible study using these videos as your guide! Tomorrow we get into the meat of why there are so many women with body image issues! Don't miss it!   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Rachel was hot, Leah was not ... Bathsheba was lusted after, while Tamar couldn't get her deceased husband's family to fulfill their obligation and marry her. There are so many women in the Bible whose stories we know, but what separates the "hot" from the "not?" Can we learn a lesson about physical beauty and body image from the women of the Bible? My guest today, Rachel Risner, is the author of a Bible study on the women in the lineage of Jesus called "Significant." Listen and learn today! Connect with Rachel: www.rachelrisner.com Buy Rachel's book here. https://amzn.to/3uqaUSa (Amazon affiliate link) Get a FREE walk to lose the weight of comparison download when you sign up for the Compared to Who? friends list at www.comparedtowho.me sign up here: Review the podcast and win 2 free hours of coaching! Share your review on social and get 5 extra entries. Watch the live and unedited version of our interview here: Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Clothes that don't fit may be causing you more shame than you know...and no one ever broke free from the shame of body image through shaming themselves! Here are Heather's most compelling reasons to clean out your closet and sweep away body shame. Plus: Helpful tips on how to practically do this. Read more on this topic: https://wp.me/p4wMDD-K7 Letter to clothes that don't fit: I'm breaking up with you. When None of Your Clothes Seem to Spark Joy. Connect with Compared to Who? Win free coaching with your podcast review - Tag @comparedtowho or email here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Porn can have a huge impact on our body image and relationships. Now 32% of porn users are women and I receive messages every week from women who are struggling with the impact of porn on their marriage. Today It talk to Joy Skarka, an expert on this topic. She has a powerful testimony of finding freedom in this arena and helps women break free from the shame porn brings. This is an issue that's growing and impacting even the youngest eyes--so listen today and learn what you can do to fight this battle or help someone you love fight it! Connect with Joy through Authentic Intimacy on Instagram or at: https://www.authenticintimacy.com (Find support groups here too!) Heather on the Java with Juli podcast: Episode 304 on iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/java-with-juli/id1116000318 Need help monitoring your child's screens or need accountability for your own addiction struggles? Check out Covenant Eyes with this link. Want to leave a review and win free coaching: Tag @comparedtowho on Facebook or Instagram. Not on socials? Drop Heather an email at: heather@comparedtowho.me Connect with Compared to Who? at www.comparedtowho.me     Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today's conversation is with Sarah Geringer, author of a powerful book on Christian meditation and our thought lives. Sarah and I talk about: the one thing Sarah did each day that transformed her view of herself how to combat the lies that flood our minds how to find hope if you've been emotionally and verbally abused why boundaries matter and why Christian meditation isn't New Age but a biblical practice mentioned throughout the Bible. Watch until the end for our detour to the topic: Is posting fabulous images on social media leading others into temptation? Connect with Sarah: Sarahgeringer.com Buy Sarah's Book Transforming Your Thought Life* (Amazon affiliate link). Grab your FREE "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison" workout download: www.comparedtowho.me  Support this podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho About Sarah: Sarah Geringer is a speaker, podcaster, artist and author of Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus and three self-published books. Sarah also hosts a podcast, Heart in a Drawer, to minister to adult children of divorce. She is currently working on a teen girl version of Transforming Your Thought Life, to be published in fall 2021. She is on the devotional writing teams for Proverbs 31 Ministries, A Wife Like Me, Devotable, Hope-Full Living, Kingdom Edge Magazine and Woman 2 Woman Ministries. When she’s not reading over 100 books per year, Sarah enjoys painting, baking, gardening and playing the flute. Her daily must-haves are hot tea, dark chocolate, and fresh flowers. She lives in southeast Missouri with her husband and three children. Sarah writes and speaks about finding peace in God’s Word. Follow Sarah on: Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, Goodreads   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.