Resist Society’s Take on Beauty

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Jessica Simpson made a bold move by allowing herself to be photographed for the cover of Marie Claire’s May issue. The photo is untouched, showing what a normal person looks like without all the glamour.

The pressure to look as good as the ionic Barbie is constant in our culture and needs to be opposed or we’ll continue to see record rates of eating disorders, cosmetic surgeries, and body dissatisfaction. Make no mistake. The numbers are rising. And while our nation experiences record rates of obesity, personal happiness is still tied to thinness. As a result, body image, our mental picture of ourselves, grows more negative as reality fails to match the body idealism we embrace.

The repeated exposure of unrealistic body perfection does a number on any healthy developing female. Girls who are five years old talk of dieting, and middle age women are now developing eating disorders. Something has to change. We have to be purposely challenging what girls and women see and believe to be true.

I‘m calling for a body acceptance movement to be led by those who know and experience the transforming power of the Gospel. While it’s great that the Dove Foundation and Jessica Simpson are beginning to combat our narrowing definitions of beauty, the church needs a wake-up call on this issue. Most of us need to examine our thoughts about our bodies and make changes in our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and in the culture with which we surround ourselves.

For years, I hated my red hair, glow in the dark white skin, and lumpy-bumpy thighs. Somehow, I was able to disconnect the truth of God’s word when it came to accepting my body. I could renew my mind in other areas of my Christian walk, but when it came to my body, dissatisfaction was the status quo. No one in the church talked about liking your body and accepting what was perceived as physical flaws. So, the cultural messages to improve, fix, and remain chronically dissatisfied were constantly swimming in my head. I truly believe the insecurities that accompanied my long and tiring journey towards body acceptance were unnecessary had I had a better understanding and application of God’s word to my everyday life.

Jesus didn’t come as Adonis, but Adonai. He did not draw crowds because He was drop-dead gorgeous. People were drawn to Him because of who He was. Our children need to know the source of true beauty, and that identity is not found in how much they weigh, but to whom they belong.

What are you doing to combat cultural prescriptions for beauty?

~ Dr. Linda

P.S. Dr. Linda’s book Making Peace With Your Thighs helps women and teens accept their bodies and secure their identities in Christ.

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  • Ace

    Dr Linda, Don’t you think the Church should follow the Bible and not focus on the way we look, except to make sure we are modestly attired and Holy in action…so that we bring Glory to God and not ourselves.

    I am not worried about society or culture. I am worried about following God’s word and doing that I don’t need to do anything else than take the bold stand of knowing that my looks should reflect and bring Glory to God.

    Many Blessings 🙂
    Ace

  • Dr. Linda

    It is my hope that the church helps us live Christlike lives. Many people are influenced by the larger culture and it is easy to allow those voices to speak louder than Scripture. We have to daily renew our minds with God’s truth. So I see the church working to help remind us what is of eternal value and how to think of ourselves from God’s perspective.