Posts by Jennifer Smith Lane

Everything God Created Is Good

open Bible on the floor with journal as in the middle of quiet time with God

By Jennifer Smith Lane A Reflection on 1 Timothy 4:1-8 Whenever I come across a passage that speaks into food and body image, it challenges me to rethink how I view food and my body by gaining a new perspective through God’s Word. This is one of those passages that stopped me in my tracks.…

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Reframing How We Clothe Ourselves

Image shows a store's selection of different clothing styles, colors and outfits to choose from.

By Jennifer Smith Lane All throughout history, one’s clothing revealed much about their social status, station and wealth. Wealthy socialites, celebrities and royals are evaluated across media platforms for their latest gowns and fashions. Priestly robes, doctor’s scrubs, and police uniforms tell us instantly what the person wearing them does for a living. A quick…

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How People Pleasing Can Be an Idol

Variety of emotions drawn on eggs to display how difficult it is to keep everyone happy

By Jennifer Smith Lane (Arise Daily Author) “Am I now trying to win the favor and approval of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please someone? If I were still trying to be popular with men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 AMP When the topic of idolatry came up…

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How to Pursue God Not Perfection

Perfection is an unattainable goal

By Jennifer Smith Lane “…focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfector of faith…” Hebrews 12:2 What is perfectionism? According to Webster’s dictionary, perfectionism is “a refusal to accept any standard short of perfection. A doctrine holding that religious, moral, social or political perfection is attainable.” When I read that definition, I…

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If Only Syndrome

life-size rectangular mirror with a black from reflecting the mirage of an ocean back

By Jennifer Smith Lane “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 Do You Suffer From “If Only Syndrome”? Do you or anyone you know suffer from what I call the “if only syndrome”? These two words can be found at the beginning of any…

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How to Avoid The Image Trap

woman covering her eyes while standing in front of a broken mirror symbolizing her frustration over her own image

by Jennifer Smith Lane  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him.  The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT) Judge By Outward Appearance or the Heart? While nearly everyone experiences some…

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Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Logo from the National Eating Disorders Association to promote Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is the largest and best-known eating disorders outreach effort in the country. EDAW is an opportunity to improve public understanding of eating disorders and their causes, dangers, and treatments and to empower everyone to reduce risk factors and join prevention efforts. Eating Disorders are real, life-threatening mental and physical illnesses…

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Body Image And The Media

A Christian Perspective On Body Image, by Jennifer Smith Lane More than 30 million Americans will struggle with a clinically diagnosed eating disorder in their lifetime while millions more will battle food and body image issues that have untold negative impacts on their lives. This is not simply a teenage issue. Onset can occur at…

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