God Provides an Eternal Perspective (Michelle) - Strong and Secure: Finding Peace as a Young Woman

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25, NLT)

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20, NLT)

“He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.” (Philippians 3:21, NLT)

I’ve treated girls and women with body image struggles for over two decades. Some love the mirror! They love cultivating a wardrobe that impresses their peers and are often obsessed with working out and tracking every bite they eat. But they worry so much, it leads to anxiety, which leads to restricting their calories until their body isn’t getting the food it needs. Sometimes their hunger and emotions intervene and they then overeat or binge. Both of these behaviors can lead to disordered eating. These young women feel good about themselves when the scales read a certain number and their clothes fit a certain way. But they become distressed if they lose control.

Other girls and women hate the image they see in the mirror. They focus on their flaws and work to hide their appearance, often avoiding cameras at all costs. They hate getting dressed in the morning because they wonder what else might not fit as they enter their closet. Often their self-loathing leads them to turn to food for comfort. With every pound they gain, they feel more helpless. They want to look and feel different but they can’t seem to make it work no matter what diet or exercise plan they try. They notice other girls who they believe look good and wish they could trade places.

Father God has provided a way out of our obsession with our appearance and approach to food. Scripture reminds us He made us and we have value. His Word also teaches us that what happens here on earth isn’t all that matters in the light of eternity. Our Father promises us glorious bodies in heaven (Philippians 3:21). What would it look like to see beyond just your physical appearance when you looked in the mirror? How could you train the thoughts in your head to center on more than just the physical image you see?

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we are commanded to honor God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). No matter your current size, what would it look like for you to honor God with your body today?

Experiencing Father God’s Provision

Father, help me focus on the good things about my earthly body. It works well, gets me places, houses the Holy Spirit in me, and allows me to glorify and serve You. Give me spiritual eyes to see beyond this world to what is eternal. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Growing Stronger

Read Matthew 6:25–34. Put your name before each therefore and your. When you see the word you, substitute your name instead.