Happy Memorial Day! Are you soaking up the sun today? The swimsuit I’m wearing is by Miraclesuit & rightfully so, as it is a miracle I’m posting this pic🙈. I’ve teamed up with my Louisiana blogger friends for a campaign called “every body is a swimsuit body.” Our goal is to encourage women of all shapes, sizes (& ages😉)to be comfortable with your body. Body Image can be challenging at any age. I have struggled with this my entire life. Unfortunately with me it has fed insecurity and anxiety. I’m a pro at playing the comparison game, which is SO unhealthy! When I was a teen, I always felt like the reason I didn’t have a boyfriend was because I wasn’t pretty enough, skinny enough, smart enough, fun enough or just enough…
As I got older these same insecurities followed me in my 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. It was no longer about not having a boyfriend, but I could take those feelings and apply them to anything. I remember one time in my 20’s I getting down to 78 pounds.
Now at 52, it is still a struggle, but it’s not near as bad as it used to be! When I turned 50, I gained about 25 pounds. I believe it was related to hormonal changes, none the less, it was awful!! Last year I set my mind to losing it, and worked really hard. I did lose 20 lbs and have kept it off (yay!), but I have had to watch the scales closely. The pounds creep back much faster than the drop! I love pretty clothes, I always have. When I was at my heaviest I would shop for clothes looking for items that would camouflage and cover, rather than fit and flatter.
These feeling were never placed on me by anyone. I have wonderful parents, an incredible husband an incredible love for Jesus and great friends. I placed these feeling on me. And on that note I want to add the you can be a believer in Christ, strong in your faith and still, feel insecure and have anxiety. (We are all a work in progress!)
What has helped me the most is making healthy lifestyle choices, and staying grounded in who Christ says I am!
When I say, “I’m not strong enough,” God says, “I AM.”
When I say, “I’m not smart enough,” God says, “I AM.”
When I say, “I’m not good enough,” God says, “I AM.”
Once I let go of the lies that we’re not enough … and take hold of the truth that I’m more than enough because of Jesus’ presence and power in me … then I am set free from paralyzing insecurity and on my way to experiencing courageous confidence to do everything He calls me to do.
So now it’s your turn. Have you struggled with this? Do you still? What has helped you? I love learning and growing from your experiences! Take Care sweet friends! Michelle
