We ALL have them - horror stories of when we began to have bad feelings about our bodies. I would bet a small fortune that every woman has experienced something which has shaped the way she feels about her body. Many of us carry those experiences and feelings to the present. We drag them along with us in our memories like so many heavy chains. Those experiences not only have left wounds but they also can also dictate how we live our daily lives. Things like what kind of clothes we buy or who we feel worthy to date or be married to, or what we see in the mirror every day. Those experiences have a profound effect on what we think about ourselves or even how we feel about God. Sometimes we are not even aware of the extent to which those words or experiences hold sway over our thinking.
When I was about thirteen I had one such event which shaped my own belief about my body. As a kid I was painfully thin. I have seen pictures of myself; I was all pointy bones and skin. Unlike some of my friends, adolescence had not yet rounded my body. At the time I was blissfully unaware of how my body looked. I had been raised in a family where I was loved and accepted. And I had not yet reached the age where I had become self-conscious of my looks. That however would change one summer day and my life after that event would never again be the same. My innocence was shattered with just one cruel observation. The day was warm and I and my friends were standing outside all wearing shorts outfits. One girl began to compare our legs. "Look," she said matter of factly, "Stacey has dancer's legs but look at Vicki her knees are knobby." It was the first time that I became aware that one girl was pretty while, according to my friend, I was not.
That moment changed me. For the first time I was ashamed of my body. It affected what I chose to wear, it changed the way I felt about myself. I prayed for different legs I prayed for a different body. My mom spoke wisdom into my life but I held onto the lie that was spoken over me. The girl that said the words probably never knew the impact she had on my life. But the damage was done and the enemy used it in my life to create body image issues that would follow me for years. The truth is that I gave the enemy permission to speak lies into my life. When I agreed with the lie he then had power over me. For as long as I was in agreement with the lie I opened myself up to attacks of self-doubt and fear.
The enemy begins with one lie but he does not stop there. His words are poison and his goal is to infect every area of our lives. For me the lie began with, "Your legs are ugly," and once I had received that as truth the lies continued. Softly he whispered more, "Your whole body is ugly, how could anyone like someone like you? You don't deserve to have friends, You are unlovable, No one will love you..." With each successive lie and subsequent agreement the web increased as did the territory that I conceded to the enemy.
Do you see my dear sisters how quickly we can be engulfed in negative thoughts and lies? It takes no time at all and we are literally held captive.
The beautiful answer dear ones is that we have a way out, a way of freedom which only God offers. He extends tender mercy and acceptance. His way brings wholeness; His way brings healing. This week we are going to identify the lies that the enemy has told us regarding our bodies.
The homework for this week may take you to places that you have not visited in a while. I would encourage you here to make sure that you have a trusted friend available to talk through the things that you discover. If you do not have anyone than please contact us at Life Stream via our email and someone will help you walk through this. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus then please call or email us and we would love to talk to you and pray with you. Again this will be an extensive week of searching God's Word so take your time with each day. I am praying for you my friends. May God bless you in your journey!
Day 22
Homework
Important: Pray first before you begin. Ask God to reveal the lies that were spoken over you and the lies that you believed. Ask God for protection against the enemy and claim victory with the blood of Jesus.
Get out your journal now and think back to any past or present moments where you have felt bad about your body. If you can I want you to write down what was said and identify the lie. Remember that Satan does not stop with just one lie. So next write down all the subsequent lies that you believed about yourself. All week we will be combing through the scriptures for the truth and we will begin with Psalm 139:13-18 - read these verses aloud. Let the truth of God's Word sink in to the inner most parts of your being. For today I want you to just get an overview of this beautiful passage we will break it down in subsequent days.
Challenge
Continue your work outs and your good eating habits. Are you remembering to pray your special prayer before each time you eat. Let the food nourish your body but remember don't abuse your body with food! Are you feeling stronger after all this working out? If you have been pushing your body to 1/2 hour work-outs then today go back to a 10 minute workout. Journal how you felt after 10 minutes. Your body is getting stronger!
Day 23
Important: Pray first before you begin. Ask God to reveal the lies that were spoken over you and the lies that you believed. Ask God for protection against the enemy and claim victory with the blood of Jesus.
Homework
Today in your journaling I want you to go deeper. Yesterday you identified some of the lies that the enemy told you, lies that you believed. Think back to the moment that you believed that first lie. If you can, write in your journal that story. Be specific with details. This may bring back some pretty deep pain, allow yourself to feel that. But keep in mind the scripture that you read yesterday and the hope that it provides!
Now go back to the scripture Psalm 139:13-14 - Write these verses in your journal. From this passage write the truths that you can glean about how God feels about you and your creation.
Read over the lies that you wrote down and reject the lies in the name of Jesus - do this out loud and claim the blood that purchased your redemption. We will learn a little more about this purchase tomorrow.
Day 24
Homework:
Read Psalm 139:13-14
According to v. 13:
1. Who created you?
The word "created" in verse 13 is the Hebrew word qanah which means: create by extension to procure especially by purchase.
Read Revelation 5:9
2. What did Christ do on our behalf?
Christ was slain and shed his blood which purchased us for God.
3. What does the text say specifically about how you were made?
The King James Version uses the word "covered me in my mother's womb" The word "covered" or maybe your version says "knit" is the Hebrew word sakak sakak which means to entwine as a screen or implies a covering or protection.
My dear sisters God not only created you and protected your life, He made a way of protection from the sin and death. He has purchased our very lives with his blood.
Prayer - the more you are able to believe the truths of God's word the less power those lies will have over you. Continue to pray for strength and wisdom to believe the truth of God's Word. God did not make a mistake when he made you my friend. He knew what He was doing - He took great care to create, protect and purchase.
Day 25
Homework
Read Psalm 139:15-16 Read these verses aloud and allow them to speak to you. Write down in your journal which words or phrases stood out to you.
1. Of the words or phrases which stood out - what can you learn about God?
2. Of those same words or phrases what can you learn about yourself?
3. Look back over the lies that you believed about yourself - how do these verses refute those lies?
4. What does verse 16 say about your days?
Prayer Time - Spend some time thanking God for all the ways that He made you. Even the ways that you would see as negative God will use it for your good. In what ways has God used you to minister to others?
Day 26
Homework
Read Psalm 139 17-18 Read these verses aloud and allow them to speak to you. Write down in your journal which words or phrases stood out to you.
1. Of the words or phrases which stood out - what can you learn about God?
2. Of those same words or phrases what can you learn about yourself?
3. What can you learn about God's thoughts toward you?
4. How do God's thoughts about you differ from your thoughts toward yourself?
God's thoughts toward you outnumber the grains of sand - what an amazing God we serve! Imagine how much God loves you to have His thoughts so turned toward you!
Spend some time in prayer just sitting quietly before God pray the words of Psalm 139:17-18 to Him and let the truth of His Word reach the innermost part of your being. Allow God to do a work of healing in your lives my dear sisters. The truth of God's thoughts toward you are so much greater than the lies that you have believed about yourselves! Tomorrow we will spend some time evaluating this last week. You have done well. Remember the words of Zephaniah
The Lord your God is with you
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
If you have any questions about how to become a Jesus follower please email us and we would be glad to talk to you. Email us at lifestreamwomen@lifestreamweb.org May the Lord bless you and keep you, May He make His face to smile upon you and give you peace.
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