How Does My Faith Help My Body Image Issues? [Podcast Transcript]

Title: How Does My Faith Help My Body Image Issues?

Podcast Date: May 6, 2025

Listen Here: 

Description

If you're a Christian woman with body image issues, today Heather will fire you up with encouragement around how your Christian faith and beliefs can speak directly to your body image issues. You have a BIG faith that helps you believe in God, Jesus, heaven, and eternity. But, what you need is a LITTLE faith that can apply to how you feel and how you act when you can't get your pants buttoned, when you look in the mirror, or when you feel rejected by peers for the way you look. If you struggle with having a faith that can apply to your day to day battles with insecurity, today's episode is for you.

Heather again takes on CHATGPT to see how Chat answers this same question, "How does my faith help my body image issues?" Heather's confident her answer is better this time.

Share this episode with a friend who needs some body image encouragement this summer!

Listen to Heather's podcast on exploring gluttony verse by verse in the Bible: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/more-thoughts-on-gluttony-what-the-bible-says-part

Listen to Heather's podcast on what to do if you feel like you ruined your good body: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/i-ruined-my-body-how-do-i-believe-my-body-is-good

Learn more about Compared to Who? by visiting: Https://www.improvebodyimage.com

The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian

The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

Transcript

Disclaimer: This transcript is AI-generated and has not been edited for accuracy or clarity.

[00:00:02]:

Life audio. Hey, friend. Heather Creekmore here. Thanks for listening to the Compare To You podcast today. Happy May or happy Maycember as they say, because I know this is a crazy month for you. But as you prepare for summer, here's what I want you to think about, and here's what we're talking about today. Does my faith does saying that I am a Christian, does saying I am a Jesus follower, I believe in Jesus, I follow Jesus, I believe the Bible, what does that speak to my body image issues? Can my faith help my body image issues? That's the question I'm tackling today in our question series. I actually asked Chad GPT, and y'all, I've got Chad GPT totally beat on this one.

[00:00:50]:

So I'm glad you're here for it. Hey. Our forty day journey starts very soon. For this summer. Go to improvebodyimage.com. Look for the forty day journey tab, and you can read my forty day workbook along with a group of Christian women. Be supported, get your questions answered, and get on your personal journey to body image freedom. Now let's get to the basics of this one.

[00:01:23]:

Okay, friends. So here's the concept for today. The concept is we have this faith. Right? We say we follow Jesus. We believe in big things, y'all. Like, we believe that a God whom we've never seen created the universe. We believe he sent his son Jesus to die and to be raised again from the dead to save us from sin so that we can spend eternity with him. Like, you guys, these are big concepts, and they're a little intangible.

[00:01:59]:

Right? It takes some faith to believe these things, and we do. I I mean, I'm assuming you do. If you don't, I encourage you. Like, I think this is the right way to believe. You can read scripture. There's so much evidence behind, what's in scripture. Right? But a lot of my listeners, I know you are a Christian. You've been in church for a long time.

[00:02:28]:

You believe God's word. You believe in Jesus. You believe in truth, his truth. And yet, you still struggle with body image issues. You still struggle with food. You still have these day to day struggles, these day to day fears. I'm gonna call them microfears. They're these little fears that you probably don't even call fear, honestly.

[00:02:54]:

I mean, when you look in the mirror and you think I don't look good enough, you probably don't even cash that out to be fear. You might cash that out to be insecurity or low self esteem. But the truth is, right, it's a little bit of fear. It's fear that says, I'm not good enough. I won't be accepted. I may be rejected because the way I look. I won't, you know, be able to be part of this group. I don't like the way I feel or the way I look, and that's gonna affect the way I behave or the way I feel while I'm there.

[00:03:28]:

And y'all, what it really is is it's fear. Now if you've been in Christian circles for a while, right, you've probably heard all the cliches, like faith over fear and fear not. I mean, fear not is in scripture, like, I don't even know how many times, but it's a lot of times. Okay? So we know not to fear, but we actually don't often think about these little insecurities, these voices in our head that say, you're not good enough. You don't look good enough. If you would lose weight, then you would feel like you were good enough. Like, you know, you're not eating the right thing or shame on you for eating that. You're bad for eating that.

[00:04:08]:

You're bad because you've gained weight. You're bad because of da da da da. And we don't even think about it as fears. And fears kinda conflict with our faith, don't they? Right? Because that's why they say faith over fear. Because when we believe in something bigger, right, when we believe that God is in control of the whole universe, that God is sovereign, we believe in what the Bible says, which actually is, like, so counter to what our culture says and teaches. Right? God's kingdom, you've probably heard this before, is an upside down kingdom, right, where you give more in order to be blessed more. Right? In our kingdom, right, our culture, it's like, no. You have to keep it all because otherwise, you won't have enough.

[00:05:01]:

Right? And there's there's so many things like that. Like, the last will be first. The person who is the greatest servant has the most humility as the one who will be honored, not the person who, you know, wins all the awards or has the most money or presents themselves as most successful. Right? God's kingdom is an upside down kingdom. So anyway, okay. You guys know most of that. And so the question we're tackling today is, how can my faith actually help my body image? Well, here's how I want you to think about it. You have a big faith.

[00:05:35]:

A big, big, big faith. Right? You know you are set for eternity if you follow Jesus, if you love Jesus. Big faith. But here's what you really need. You need a little faith. Right? And I don't mean little by quantity or quality. I mean, you need a little faith. You need a faith that not only applies to your afterlife.

[00:06:00]:

You need a faith that applies to your daily life, to your livelihood. You need a faith that can apply to what happens when you look in the mirror, what happens when you step on the scale, what happens when you put on those pants and they don't button like they did last year, what happens when you walk in the room and you realize you're the only one who thought it was casual and everyone else is dressed like they're going to the Queen's tea party? Right. You need a faith that can help you know that you are safe and secure because of Jesus in these everyday scenarios. And I'm calling that a little faith. You need a little faith to apply to your body image issues. I'm gonna explain how that works right after this quick break. So how do we find a little faith? Okay. First, I think we have to recognize the truth.

[00:07:07]:

And the truth is every single one of us wrestles with unbelief. Now we don't cash it out that way again because we're like, no. I believe in Jesus. I believe in the Bible. I got all the things. I believe. I believe, Heather. I believe.

[00:07:22]:

I know you believe, but I think you have a little unbelief, and that's why you're still struggling with body image issues. And there's no shame or guilt or pointing fingers coming from me. I think we all struggle in this way. And that's why I love the story in Mark chapter nine of the dad of the demon possessed boy. Now the boy is mute. He, is throwing himself into the fire. Like, he's doing all kinds of, like, seizure kind of activities, but it's because of the demon possession that he's having these challenges. Right? And the dad is like, someone's gotta help me.

[00:08:02]:

And so the dad takes the boy to the disciples and is like, please help my son. And the disciples try to cast those demons out and they don't budge. And so then Jesus comes along. And the dad says to Jesus, if you can help me, please, if you can help me. And Jesus says, this is the Heather paraphrase version, like, if? Like, seriously dude, if I can help you? Like, of course, I can help you. I mean, I'm sure Jesus said it much more humbly than I just did. But Jesus, like, kinda reacts, like, if I can help you. And then Jesus tells a man he needs to have faith.

[00:08:42]:

He needs to believe. And the man's response is this, and you probably know the verse. I have faith. I believe. Help my unbelief. And friend, that needs to be your prayer. It's my prayer. Every single time I face one of these little faith challenges, every time I wonder if I am not good enough, I need to say to myself, I believe.

[00:09:14]:

Help my unbelief here. Jesus, help me. Because what's the truth? I mean, you guys know this truth. The truth from scripture is, right, you were made on purpose for his purpose. The moment you became a Christian, God imparted spiritual gifts to you. And you may have other talents and gifts that he's given you. Might be that you have a great gift for hospitality compassionate. Right? You've got gifts that he's given you.

[00:09:52]:

And here's what culture says to you. It says those gifts don't matter unless you look a certain way. It says those gifts aren't what's really important. What's really important is whether or not you meet a cultural standard of beauty. What's really important is that you focus on getting your body to look a certain way. You focus on making sure you don't age or look like you're aging, making sure you weigh the right amount, you wear the right clothes. That's what our culture teaches. And what I see happening to so many Christian women is they stay stuck trying to meet the cultural standard first, like, check as soon as I can check that box, then Jesus, I can go do what you've asked me to do.

[00:10:36]:

Then I can go use my gifts. Then I can go do something for you. But first, I have to be acceptable according to culture. First, I have to fit in in this way. First, I have to meet these standards that culture has set. And my friend, you can read your whole Bible front to back. Jesus's standards have nothing to do with your physical appearance. And I don't care how you try to twist gluttony messages.

[00:11:03]:

Right? Friend, it oh, I've done so many episodes on gluttony. I hope you'll go back and listen to them. Right? But you eating more calories than Glamour magazine says you should eat is not gluttony. That's not what it's about at all. And if you do have some sort of issue in that arena, which I hope you'll go back and listen to my gluttony episodes so you understand more clearly what I mean by some sort of issue in that arena. But if that's a challenge for you, my friends, right, work on that with the Lord, but don't make that about your body size because that's not what gluttony is about. And don't make that something that prevents you from doing what it is Jesus has called you to do. He puts you on earth for a purpose that is far greater than you getting a better body or you getting a body that proves to the world that you know how to eat or you know how to exercise.

[00:12:00]:

Friend, those are not biblical principles. Right? The race that Paul's talking about us running is not a race to get your best body or the healthiest body or to live your best life now. That is the race of that God has called you to, the race of faith, enduring in the faith, standing for the gospel, living a life that is worthy of the gospel. And what I have seen happen is when, my friend, when you start putting more of your focus into, okay, Lord, help me. Show me that I am safe in you. Show me that I am accepted in you even if those around me reject me because, Jesus, you know what that feels like. Lord, show me what you have for me to do even if I'm in a hostile environment. Lord, show me that I am protected and I am safe in you.

[00:12:53]:

God, show me why you made me. Show me what it means to be fearfully and wonderfully made. What did you create me to do? Why did you put me on this earth? Who do you need me to reach? Who do you need me to love? Who do you need me to care for? Who do you need me to see that isn't seen? Holy Spirit, empower me to do your work here. And, friend, when you get after that, when you make that the reason you wake up in the morning, when you make that what your day is all about, those food issues, they kinda start to fade. Now I know some of you have serious eating disorder stuff going on, and I'm not diminishing your need for help. Please get help if you need it. But for those of you that are just kinda dabbling in the stuff, like, kinda dabbling in disordered eating, dabbling in body image issues, friend, just get after what Jesus has called you to. You have to shut off those cultural messages and those lies of the enemy that are keeping you from what God has called you to do.

[00:13:59]:

And that's why you need a little faith. You have to look at your day to day scenarios where you are challenged, where your belief is challenged. Right? Lord, I believe help my unbelief. Your belief that you were made on purpose for God's purpose is challenged every day probably when you get on Instagram or YouTube. Your belief that God made your body good, that you are more than a body, that God looks at your heart and not your gene size, these things that are biblical are challenged every single day by the messages around us and maybe even by the lies you hear in your head. Friend, that's why you need a little faith. You need a little belief. You have to be in God's word, applying his scripture to these day to day things because your faith can't just be big for heaven.

[00:14:54]:

Your faith has to be little for now, and that's how you live empowered. That's how you have the confidence to go do what it is God has created you to do. And that's really where life is, friend. We want freedom. We want joy. We want rest. We want peace. We want life.

[00:15:15]:

And we think because culture has preached this message to us, and maybe even our families, maybe even our Christian families. Okay. Let's be honest. A lot of Christians have been confused around this. Our Christian families might be preaching to us that life is found when you wear a certain size or look a certain way. But, friend, that's just not in the Bible. Read the whole thing. Please.

[00:15:35]:

Please read the whole thing. It's not there. Where life is found is when you can align your heart to God's heart. Right? When you can say, God, not my will, because my will would be to wear a size size four and have a body I could be proud of. Right? But that's my will. What's God's will for my life? What do you want for me, God? What do you have for me, Lord? Let me get after your will instead of after my will. And I've seen it in my own life, friend. When I was finally able to say, you know what? My body image issues are idolatry.

[00:16:15]:

My body image issues are about me and my pride and wanting something for me that maybe even God didn't want for me, but wanting something for me that was never gonna fill me in the way that it promised to fill me. It was never going to give me peace and rest. And, you know, honestly, friends, I I did. I lost the weight. I, you know, got in shape. I did all the things. It was never enough. Never enough.

[00:16:40]:

Never enough. And I talk to hundreds of women every month, and I hear this story over and over again. Heather, I got on the scale. It said the number I always wanted it to read, and it wasn't enough. I thought to myself, I must need to lose five more pounds. Maybe that's your story too. You can keep changing your body. You can make that the goal of your life.

[00:17:01]:

And you might even call it health. Like, I need to change my body for health. Friend, there is a way to pursue health without it being an idol, without it being your god, without it being your mission in life. Right? I'm not saying exercise is bad. I'm not saying eating healthy is bad. I'm not saying wanting to live a healthier life is bad. But you gotta check your heart, my friend. What are you living for? Do you have faith in health? Do you have faith in body change, or do you have faith in Jesus? Are you doing what his word asks you to do? Are you living like your main purpose is to love God and love others? Or are you living like your main purpose is to make sure your body is healthy and looks a certain way? Oh, it's a hard truth, my friend.

[00:17:44]:

I'm so sorry. It's hard. But I hope I'm speaking the truth in love to you today so that you can find freedom because this is just a trap. Chasing health, chasing beauty, chasing a different body size, it is a trap. It is a trap of the enemy that will keep you in fear and bondage, depression, anxiety, and misery. You will have to control everyone and everything. It won't just be your food and your body. It'll be everyone and everything.

[00:18:14]:

Trust me. And you'll stay miserable. The only antidote, the only solution is to surrender. Have a faith that is small enough that it applies to all these little things in your life. You need a faith that's small enough that it applies to how you eat. Can you trust God to direct you in how to eat? I think you can. I mean, you trust him for eternity. You can't trust him to help you figure out what's going on with your food.

[00:18:49]:

Can you trust God to help you in friendship scenarios? Or when you know you're going into an opportunity where, you know, maybe you won't be accepted, or maybe you will be judged by how you look. Can you trust God to be with you then? Can you have faith that he can encourage your heart so you can go into that scenario and actually be an encouragement to others? Can you trust God to protect you? I mean, because not every situation is friendly. I get that, friends. Like, you might be taking some fiery arrows. You might, like some of you might be being bullied. You might be hearing mean comments. Like, women can be mean. I know.

[00:19:30]:

I know. I know. But can you trust Jesus to be your friend when no one else seems to be? Can you trust him? Can you believe him for that? I know you have a big faith to believe that he is God over all the universe. I know you have a big faith to believe that he created everyone and everything. Can you have a faith that is small enough to apply to you, to believe that he cares for you, that he made you on purpose intentionally? Like, I talk about my forty day body image workbook. You weren't just like a haphazard body that got a soul squirted into it. Whoopsie. There she is.

[00:20:09]:

Oh, sorry. She didn't turn out to be taller. No, friend. He knit you together in your mother's womb. That means he was intentional. He knew exactly how he was making you, and he made you exactly the way you are made on purpose for his purpose. Now I know some of you are like, but I messed up my body. Oh, friend, get over it.

[00:20:28]:

You've messed up a lot of things in life. Don't make messing up your body the thing that's the hang up. Well, now I can't do what God asked me to do because I messed up my body. No. No. No. Friend, get over it and get on with it. I did a whole podcast episode on that.

[00:20:41]:

Go find it. Friend, there there's nothing unredeemable about your life, including whatever things you've done that you think you've messed up your body. Yes. There might be consequences. I understand that, and I have so much compassion around that too. I'm in the same boat, but we we can't let that stop us. We have to be empowered daily by a little faith. This is I'm gonna do what God called me to do no matter what's going on with my body.

[00:21:08]:

Jesus, I'm gonna live for you no matter how I feel about my body. I mean, like, seriously, friend, letting your feelings about your body stop you from doing what God's called you to do. Girl, please don't. Please don't. Okay. That's my answer for you today. And I think I beat ChatGPT one hundred percent because I asked ChatGPT, how does my faith help my body image? And here's what ChatGPT said. They said, your faith can play a powerful role in shaping and improving your body image in several meaningful ways.

[00:21:40]:

You can see yourself through a spiritual lens. It says, for example, in Christianity, the belief that you're fearfully and wonderfully made can counteract negative self perceptions. Seeing your body as a divine creation helps shift focus from appearance to purpose and worth. And, yes, I agree, chat GPT. Thanks. Thanks for doing that. But if you have a body image idle, you're probably not able to do that so easily, so explore that first. The second chat GPT suggestion is fostering gratitude and compassion.

[00:22:13]:

It says faith encourages gratitude for the body's function rather than its form. This mindset promotes self compassion and appreciation rather than criticism. Number three, it says counteracting cultural pressures, spiritual values often contrast with society's narrow beauty ideals. Faith communities may emphasize character service and inner virtues, which can help you resist unhealthy comparisons and unrealistic standards. Number four is encouraging wholeness. Many faiths view that body, mind, and spirit is interconnected. When you're spiritually grounded, you may care for your body not to conform to appearance ideals, but to honor your whole being. And number five, it says providing community and support.

[00:22:52]:

Faith communities can offer belonging and support which reduces isolation which is a common factor in negative body image. Did you hear that, friend? You need community. Being surrounded by people who value you beyond your appearance can reinforce a positive self image. So that's what chat g p t had for you. And, honestly, it's not a bad answer at all. But I want you just to remember that you have a big faith, and it's so big. But you can also apply it to every little part of your life, including including your body image issues, right? Remember what scripture says. You say you believe it's true, so act like you believe it's true.

[00:23:42]:

Act like you believe you're fearfully and wonderfully made. Act like you believe that you're more than a body. Act like you're grateful that God gave you breath in your lungs. Act like you know that he's got a purpose for you because he does. And pray to him today if you need to. Say, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Show me how I can strengthen my faith in these little areas every day.

[00:24:15]:

Make that your prayer today. Hey. I'm so glad you were here. Thanks so much for listening. I hope something today has helped you stop comparing so you can start living your real life, the life you have right now. Not the life you're gonna have ten, twenty, seventy, a hundred pounds from now, but the life you have right now. Start living that one. Hey.

[00:24:34]:

I hope you're encouraged. If you were, leave us a review on whatever platform you listen to podcast on. That would be a great encouragement to us. Okay. Thanks for listening. We'll see you next time. Oh, compared to podcast is proudly part of the Life Audio Podcast Network. For more great Christian podcasts, go to lifeaudio.com.