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 any age affecting both young and old. While body image often plays a role in the development of an eating disorder, deeper mental and emotional issues are often the driving force behind the behaviors.
Social Media Influence On Body Image
While nearly everyone experiences some level of body dissatisfaction, our media saturated culture has caused consumers to develop complicated relationships with food, exercise and their appearance, creating a rampant epidemic. The emergence of social media has been like throwing gasoline on simmering embers of culture driven body ideals, yielding an endless barrage of digitally retouched images, the mirage of app filters, the perfect moments on display for thousands of followers to see. The pressure to get ‘likes’, followers and rave reviews in the comments only perpetuates the problem. Even the ads, fueled by the $80 billion dollar diet industry, are targeted to prey on our body insecurities.
God’s Perspective On Body Image
Since social media is here to stay, how do we find a way to be at peace with how God made us? Especially when the world around us questions our appearance, flames our unmet longings and probes our life’s meaning? Let’s look at what Scripture says about who we are.
Psalm 139:13-16 says, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb…Your workmanship is marvelous…You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together…You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day passed.” (NLT)
We serve a personal God. A God who intricately designed all parts of our personhood for His glory. He formed you. He watched you. He had plans in mind for you before you were even born. When He looks at you, He sees a human masterpiece on display showcasing His talent and creativity in your internal and external qualities. Cultural beauty is only skin deep and unrealistic at best. However, in God’s kingdom beauty radiates through our whole being. Next time you’re feeling less than, ask God to help you change your filter and remember how He sees you.
New Lenses
1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (NLT)
Imagine what our world would be like if we cared more about cultivating the soil of our hearts than micromanaging the features of our earth suit? God doesn’t call us to pursue cultural ideals, He calls us to pursue Him. Comparing what we have, what we don’t have and what we wished we had, causes our figurative box of unmet desires to grow especially when we scroll through everyone’s ‘best life’.
The pursuit of these cultural ideals is a smoke screen of empty promises of happiness, approval, acceptance, and problem free living. Instead of focusing on what you think your life lacks, focus on thanking God for what you already have. Social media allows us to influence and connect with others on a bigger scale. So, what if we changed the narrative on our social media platforms to be kingdom minded pointing others to Christ through encouragement, love, and gratitude? Change starts with each one of us. What will you do to promote change?
Psalm 37:23-24 says “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.” (NLT)
A Personal Story
A myriad of stressful life events caused me to seek refuge in the counterfeit arms of an eating disorder. What initially brought me comfort, turned out to be the worst kind of cheater. I faced a 7-year battle that left my life in the balance. I was embarrassed and ashamed by my struggle and worked diligently to hide it whenever possible. This only led to further isolation and loneliness putting me on an emotional island with few visitors.
Making changes was daunting especially since many of the behaviors and thought processes had become automatic. However, with the help therapy, dietary work, and spiritual mentorship, I’m living proof that freedom is possible. Maybe you’re struggling and feel that God doesn’t care about someone like you. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Take comfort in knowing that God is with you, He won’t let you stumble or fall, He cares about every detail of your life, and He directs your steps.
How To Get Help
If you’re struggling with eating and body image issues, I encourage you to reach out for help. Eating disorders are serious, complex medical and mental health issues that need professional treatment to address the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual components. You are not alone. Recovery is possible. Professional help is available.
The Kirsten Haglund Foundation understands how costly eating disorder treatment can be and strives to provide additional meal support, recovery skills and recovery coaching through their reduced cost Virtual Transitional Living Program. To learn more visit Transitional Living – Kirsten Haglund Foundation
If you think you may be struggling with an eating disorder, take this online screening tool to determine whether or not it’s time to seek professional help.
Need help in your eating disorder recovery? Schedule a free consultation to see if any of the services Jennifer offers are right for you.