As a result of the flood of responses from Life as a MRS | The Comparison Battle,{click here to read} I decided to continue the discussion with one area of comparison most women struggle with: weight and body image – or hips and the “F” word.

If you struggle with negative body image and constantly compare yourself to other women, you are not alone. We all struggle. We all compare. We all wish we could change something about ourselves.

A few weeks ago, after Michael and I met some friends out, the words involuntarily spilled from my mouth: “Was I the biggest girl there?”

Two years ago, I moved home from China and had gained 23 lbs! That’s what oil and carbs and no full length mirrors will do to you. I was mortified and embarrassed to see people. I hated myself for letting my weight take over, and thought, “once I get back down to the weight I was before, I won’t struggle anymore.” I would have you know that for the past 6 months, I have been in my goal weight range. But I still compare. And worry and stress.  Which sometimes leads to extra gym time and egg whites; but more often leads to chocolate and cheetos. I thought that once I reached my ‘goal weight’ I wouldn’t compare my body to those around me. Why — if I’m in my weight range — do I still struggle with comparison and negative body image?

Have you been there? Are you in the midst of this struggle?

I could blame the media for giving me unrealistic expectations. I could attempt to only to surround myself with full-bodied women. I could pin up Dove advertisements all over my cubicle and mirrors at home. I could self-talk everyday, instructing myself, “you are beautiful just the way you are” blindly into a mirror.

But does this really work? Are we just supposed to look at Dove commercials and “self talk” our way into being ok with cellulite and hips? I have to argue we’re missing the deeper issue.

The truth is we probably won’t ever be perfectly free from comparison. Most likely, we won’t ever be fully satisfied with our figure or number on the scale. There will always be someone we want to look like — someone to envy. You can swear up and down you’ll be content once you look like her or achieve a certain look — but I can promise you, the satisfaction will be short-lived and won’t solve the deeper issues.

Which begs the question: why are we confined to these bodies that won’t ever look the way we want them to?

“You were given a visible body to make Christ visible.” (John Piper)

Stopped me in the middle of my run.

With that quote something clicked for me: our bodies are just on loan for a short time. We won’t be confined to  imperfection forever. Not only were we created in the image of God, but we were given a visible body to do His work and breathe His healing on this side of eternity. In essence, to make Christ visible. And if you’re not a Christian, you can think of your body as made to bring beauty and love to the people around you.

Last night was glorious because I didn’t exercise. I came home and cooked for three dear friends – and finished off a bag of peanut butter MNM’s afterwards. And guilt didn’t consume me or steal my joy, because I focused on my task for the evening: making Christ and His love visible to these three girls.

Change of perspective: my goal is not to be thin. Or have the cleanest house. Or cook the best meals. And especially not to attempt be like everyone else. I want to take care of my body and not fall victim to either extreme of obsession or neglect. My goal is to use the body and gifts I have been given to bring life and beauty to barren places. In the way I’ve been gifted – created – in His image. Do you need a change of perspective?

What if the next time you looked in the mirror, you didn’t focus on your big hips or let the cellulite on the back of your thighs dictate your worth – but thought, “how have I used my body to encourage and bring life to others today?” So what if you ate three slices of cake. You made Christ visible today.

How have you used your body to bring life today? Do you struggle with comparison & body image? 

If you liked this post, you may also like:

• Life As A MRS | The Comparison Battle
• Grace Like Rain
• Love Where It Hurts
• Two Choices: A Life With and A Life Without Hope