Every time I hear someone say “I’m so fat,” or “I’m disgusting,” or “I hate my ______ (insert body part),” I cringe. First of all, what response are you expecting to get? “Yeah, your feet really are weird; put your shoes back on.” No, you want sympathy. “Tell me about it, I don’t even need flippers when I scuba dive,” which turns the conversation into a bitchfest about our worst physical traits and ends with you not being any happier except to know that someone else is miserable too. Sometimes you may get reassurance, “No way, I think your feet are cute.” But when you get it, you don’t believe it. You still go home with that self-criticism on a loop in your head.
Second, most of your imperfections are invisible to everyone else. Carrying a few extra pounds or having ears that stick out isn’t something that other people care about or even notice when they interact with you. Maybe if they work for a modeling agency, but when’s the last time you met someone who works for a modeling agency? Besides, if you take a good look at fashion models, they’re imperfect too. Have you seen Kate Moss’ teeth?
This is not to say that trying to look one’s best is wrong or that physical beauty is of no value. That’s unbiblical too. There are lots of good-looking people in the Bible, and God is the creator of beauty. The problem is when we demean ourselves for not having the looks we believe are “ideal.” Think about it, you probably don’t act this way with other characteristics. Do you beat yourself up for not being a genius? No, you probably just figure out how to get by on the smarts you have. Do you shame yourself for not drawing like Da Vinci? Probably not. Why, then, do you shame yourself for not having Hugh Jackman’s abs?
I will never be tall and leggy. That doesn’t mean I’m not beautiful. Could my triceps do with some pushups? Sure. But in the meantime, when I think about my body, this is what I’m training my brain to say. “I was created in God’s image. He knit me together in my mother’s womb. My body can do amazing things. My legs have climbed mountains and run thousands of miles. My ears can tell if someone is singing off-key. My smile can calm someone’s nerves or make them feel welcome. My fingers can type, sew, tickle the ivories or tickle my niece. My eyes can give students the ‘death stare’ and make them shut up or twinkle when I’m teasing someone I like. My digestive system seems able to tackle just about anything. My lungs can power a trumpet. My heart can give up a pint of blood every two months to help someone out.”
So the next time you find yourself making a negative comment about your body, either out loud or as part of your inner dialogue, stop yourself. Instead, think of something awesome your body can do and praise God for it.