This post is all about Healthy Self-Image or Vanity? 5 Significant Differences.
The struggle to have a healthy self-image and healthy self-esteem is something Christian women experience, just like most other women. However, our faith can sometimes make the issue more complicated. This is because many of us were told growing up that focusing on our physical appearance was vanity, so we ignored good nutrition and fitness routines. This has impacted our health, weight, and self-image.
Do you want to work on your self-image? Hopefully, you answered yes 🙂
So, write 5 things you wish to improve on your self-image. Easy right?
Now, write 5 things you love about yourself. Not so easy, right?
But why do you struggle to find 5 things you love about yourself?
Do you believe expressing what you love about yourself is a form of vanity?
Or is it that you genuinely think you have no loving attributes?
It is not uncommon for people — women especially — to struggle with self-image. They feel that they lack loveable qualities. After all, we are often our own worst critics. As a result, you may dwell on your flaws and shortcomings while overlooking your good qualities.
We all have something unique to offer. So, if you find yourself doubting your own lovability, remember that you are worthy of love, just as you are, and AT ANY SIZE.
What is the distinction between having a healthy self-image and vanity?
If you’re not quite sure, ask yourself the following 5 questions: Who. What. Why. When. Where. They may help you distinguish between self-image and vanity.
1. Who deserves the glory?
As the Scripture says: “If someone wants to boast, he should boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31
As you work on your health and wellness goals and improve your self-image, are you thanking God for what He’s doing in your life and health? Or are you bragging to everyone about what you’ve accomplished? God wants us to have a healthy view of ourselves, but not so that we can boast about how we accomplished it in our own strength.
God’s mercy, grace, and faithfulness are a gift. Therefore, when you share with others how He gave you the strength to accomplish your health and wellness goal — you should give God the glory.
If you are not giving God the glory, your weight loss and self-image goals may be the wrong motivation.
2. What are you doing to improve your health and lose weight?
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Are you constantly changing your diet or looking for the latest fad? (I know I have…)
Or are you seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit on what measures to take to improve your health and physical wellness?
Many of us become so obsessive about weight loss that we’ll do anything to achieve it.
We’ll go into debt and put our bodies through fad diets, take pills, and submit our bodies to unnecessary plastic surgery. But, it’s not just physical health we seek to attain in our obsessions with “wellness.”
We want financial or social status or what we think is a “perfect body.” But the state of our physical well-being is not all there is to living healthy.
If you desire to honor God and submit to Him, then you are on the right path…
Or, if your sinful nature takes a misguided turn — He will guide you back to the right path.
A healthy self-image will develop as you gain confidence in His strength — instead of your own when living according to His will. A life devoted to God promises joy and fulfillment far beyond what the world can offer.
3. Why should you lose weight and get healthy?
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19
If you’re trying to lose weight for superficial reasons such as reaching a number on the scale, looking a certain way, or fitting into a cute outfit, then I encourage you to check your heart’s posture.
You should lose weight and get healthy because you wholeheartedly want to glorify God with your body, live in obedience to Him, and desire to be healthy for His kingdom.
Because you have prayed and the Holy Spirit prompts you to make a change for health reasons.
Also, you want to be healthy for your family and your community and to reach people with the gospel.
God wants us to have a full life — not just physically — but in every area of our lives. God cares about more than just the number of pounds you want to lose. If it’s not something our Father prompts us to do in obedience to His Word and through prayer, then it’s not worth doing.
4. When would you like to lose weight?
Oh, this is easy, yesterday! It’s only natural for you to want results immediately! But that is not how God operates.
If you’re anything like me, your weight gain slowly crept up on you (especially when you hit 40… then 50…).
Understandably, you want quick results. So tell me what to do, what to eat, what pill to take, and I’m good to go… Sound familiar?
Real change starts with the mindset and desire to change for the right reasons. First of all, remember that it will take some time, so don’t rush it! Unfortunately, we live in a results-driven society where everyone wants things fast and as quickly as possible.
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4
My dear friend, understand that losing weight is a process. If you want to be successful, know that it will not happen overnight. I encourage you to accept the fact that it will take some time.
At times it may be frustrating. But remember that your strength comes from God. Your vertical relationship will give you the strength to submit to the process. Trust me, God is not finished with you yet. He has so much more in store for you! However, your obedience and submission are required to receive what He has assigned for you.
God will work in obedience with you, so get ready to receive His blessings.
5. Where does your self-esteem stem from?
“But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Your self-esteem: does it come from your physical appearance or from who you are in Christ — your relationship in Christ?
Food for thought…
The Bible tells us that our self-esteem should come from our relationship with Christ. In Philippians 3:20, Paul says that our true citizenship is in heaven and that we are looking forward to the day when Christ returns. This means we are not to base our self-worth on our earthly possessions or accomplishments but on our heavenly citizenship. Christ is the only one who can give us true worth and significance.
Sometimes, our appearance can be a distraction from what’s really important.
God looks at the genuine intention of your heart. Your physical appearance does not define your worth. The fact is, a misguided positive self-image might lead us astray…
Let your self-worth come from God instead of from your own opinion. See yourself as He sees you, and please, my friend, don’t let what the world tells you change that.
Your worth is not defined by your physical appearance. You were bought at a costly price — the Son of God your Redeemer. Your identity and worth are a gift from Him. You are worth more than you could ever possibly imagine.
The journey to having a healthy self-image and healthy self-esteem is something Christian women experience, just like most other women. However, the pressure to look a certain way and to be perfect can be overwhelming.
Although it is possible to have a healthy self-image and healthy self-esteem.
I have decades of experience — struggling with weight loss and wellness — to share with you! The Holy Spirit — grace-filled inspiration will comfortably make its way into your inbox every Tuesday 🙂
When you have Jesus in your heart, it means that you have a much more pressing reason to be healthy and whole. There is work to be done my friend, and Jesus wants YOU healthy and whole. Would you like to get free — love yourself well?
I invite you to comment on topics of interest to you 🙂
This post was all about Healthy Self-Image or Vanity? 5 Significant Differences.
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