I remember clear as day, the swarm of feelings that came after having our first son…
Unconditional love, awe and utter amazement. This warm, smooth, and giggly bundle made us see each other in new light as we began to watch each new milestone being crossed.
What I didn’t expect was how disheartened I would be. My body had gone through a change that puberty could never top. The days went slow, but the months flew by as I began to become even more down and out about my reflection and the way my body sort of just fell past the place it used to sit firm.
TEARS came you guys. Actual TEARS over the thoughts of never being the same again. This poor attitude I had toward my image, pushed me to begin a 12-week workout program, about 12 months post-baby. “I’m going to prove to myself that I can get my body back” was my motivation the length of the time.
This is not a Mother’s sympathy blog, so please keep reading…
Some of us are still pushing ourselves to attain those 6-pack abs and slim thighs. And I’m here to dig past those surface-thoughts to the real reason we want those features. When it gets down to the heart of it, we all actually just want to be lavishly-loved and showered-on with adoration.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1-2
If you are like me, a serious re-wiring of your mind needs to happen when it comes to the approach on fitness [and food]. Love and affection has always been something I certainly craved to hear and to feel. Isn’t this what most of us seek out as we strive towards perfect bodies?
You my dear, are called for something so much greater than a sulking face of discontent. You are meant to be absolutely lavished on with the love of Christ, continually. It’s this crazy kind of love that produces a fearless heart. I endlessly strived to perfect my figure to the best that it’s ever looked. I trained myself so hard because I believed that if I shaped up again, I would be happy. The striving for stronger, sleeker, sexier bodies is NOTHING compared to the results you receive from a life lived out of the LOVE God has for you. You are literally inseparable from it AND those results last forever, unlike our gym-commitments!
“But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” (Ephesians 4:22-24, MSG)
DAUGHTERS of GOD! He has the power to renew your mind and the negative attitude you might hold. We like to trap ourselves to standards of beauty don’t we? Standards that require obsessive training and meal plans. Standards that make you believe that you are totally right in thinking that happiness comes with a thigh gap and your body back. Standards cradle the feelings of “I’m not good enough”.
The Re-Wiring
Repentance took place in my heart when I realized the chase I was in: working out to tighten up my chest, lift the booty and erase arm-flab. I was driven by fear of not being attractive enough for my husband or friends to love me. I repented of this deceit when I realized that I was already loved. The chase is done. No longer do I workout to make my body perfect and lovable because I know that I already am.
This is the starting place.
Know that you are already loved more than you can even imagine.
Work out, eat, and live from this place of security in Christ and no longer will you “throw in the towel” when you cheat on a diet or miss a week of exercise.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1-2
If you are contemplating starting a lifestyle of health and fitness, setting the view of yourself now is more important than any goals you will set for the future.
Your view must be how God sees you or else it will be an endless chase after something that will distract you from the joy of a body that beautifully reflects what God has done to your soul.
Sister, there is nothing you need to do in order to win true love. You already have it.
Your are already loved with perfect love.
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” 1 John 3:16
Working out and my pursuit of health is not the same anymore. The chase for perfection is over and I’m ready to see everlasting results.
How about you?
If you are contemplating a lifestyle of fitness and/or want to know more of what this love of Jesus is all about, shoot me an email or DM!
I am happy to be there for you in your beginnings. 🙂
Love,
Bri Joy
XOXO
BRIANNA JOY 