EMBRACING THE BODY GOD GAVE YOU

“ ‘You will seek Me and find me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you’, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:13-14

As a ballerina there is a constant pressure to look a certain way….thin. It’s an indirect pressure that comes from the art form. Most directors of ballet companies and ballet schools don’t have to say it, all the dancers just know it. It’s a pressure that we as dancers put on ourselves as well. Ballet is visual and our lines, shapes, and movement look better from the stage when we are in shape, thin, and lean. It’s a pressure that can take a toll on our minds and our hearts.

But there are even other factors that a dancer has to deal with…height, turn-out ability, flexibility…. and these factors are often out of our control. I have always been a tall ballerina. I have often battled thoughts of, “I don’t fit in, I stand out in a bad way, I’m bigger than all the other dancers.” I have often battled with the thought that tall means big. It’s just not true.

Dancers or not, we all have little things we would like to change about our body. I know dancers who wished they were taller, more muscular, less muscular, wished they had more flexible feet, different this, different that. The list is endless….it’s part of being a woman…we want to look and feel good…no, we want to look and feel our best.

How different would our day feel if we believed that we were made in the beautiful image of God…that He dreamed up how we would look? How different would our day feel if we embraced the body God gave us? How different would our day feel if we stopped comparing our body to anyone else’s and started living and dancing “full out”….on purpose, with joy, and new purpose because our body image is healthy…not a dilemma. In this detail of life too, dear sister, God wants to help.

He wants to help with how you feel about your body, so know that You can ask for His help… “God, help me embrace the body you have given me, not compare mine to others or feel down about it.” He also wants to guide you in taking care of your body so that you can feel your best. He WANTS you to feel your best. When you feel your best, you function at your best…and God wants that for you. What are the things you know you need to feel your best?

For me, I feel my best when I move my body in some form or fashion each day. It might be a walk around the neighborhood, a ballet class, a workout DVD, stretching, or simple abdominal exercises. Anything…I feel better when I move my body. I also feel better about my body when I am drinking plenty of water and choosing foods that give me energy and eat just enough, not overstuff my stomach. On top of that, the simple things like a shower and washing my hair and being thoughtful about what I wear helps me feel good. (And mamas with little ones, you know that some days there is just no time for it! It’s quite an accomplishment if it happens!)

Oh how God does not want you to feel down about your size, your shape, your form, or your looks. In fact, when you look in the mirror, He wants you to be amazed by the care and detail He took in making you. He’s wants you to be a shining light in a world that needs a breath of fresh air. When we sink into the body God gave us by believing it’s beautiful and then taking steps towards taking care of the body we are in, we can be done with that struggle. As we draw closer to our Maker, we come to realize that being ourselves is the only person He wants us to be. And when we embrace the body He gave us, we start to really become the women He created us to be.

So what do we do when those doubts and insecurities creep into our thoughts…

1. Note what brought you there. What brought on those thoughts? Sometimes we get caught in the trap of comparison. Dancer, mom, woman….whoever you are, it’s so easy to compare. When you catch yourself comparing, run quickly back to God by asking for His help to keep your eyes on Him.
2. Note where you are. Have you been moving your body in some way? Have you been drinking water and eating well?
3. Remind your heart that you are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139
4. Pray, pray, pray. Tell God how your heart feels captive in these emotions, and let His goodness and love wash over you. He would love to heal your heart.
5. Stand guard. Know that as a woman, it’s always going to be tough not to compare. Know that Satan would love to get you down about your body anytime. But know that You have a Helper, the Holy Spirit, on your side, to help you keep a right mindset about your body.
6. Do the things that make you feel strong and good about your body. Make time for it. I don’t like to call it exercise because exercise sounds so un-fun sometimes. Call it “me time” …something that makes you feel good and boosts your spirits.
7. Catch your negative thoughts. Whenever you have a negative thought towards your body, a jealous thought towards a friend…take it to your Savior, your Friend, the One who is always there and always present. Ask God for help and for a renewed mind.
8. Stay close to God. The closer we draw to God, the free-er we become.
9. Be a light. Know that you are not the only one who struggles with how they feel about their body or appearance and bless someone’s socks off by encouraging them with a sweet compliment.
10. Let the overwhelming love of God wash you clear of all angst in regards to your self-image by staying connected to Him, staying in His Word, and staying close to His heart through prayer…He wants to transform your heart and mind from the inside out and He will if you will let Him.

Prayer: “Dear Lord, You know the struggles I have faced with how I feel about my body and my appearance. I have gotten caught in the trap of comparison over and over again, and in my own strength and will-power, I cannot stay out of it on my own. I need You to take over my heart in this area of my life. I want to walk hand and hand with You to overcome this struggle of my heart. Thank You that You want to help Me. Thank You that You delight to help me embrace the body that You have blessed me with. Lord, I’m ready for a heart-transformation. Make my heart new. Set me free.”