Jun 11, 2019
Episode Summary:
With summer on its way, you only have to check out at the
grocery store to read story after story about how to achieve the
perfect bikini body. Comparison is the thief of joy, so looking at
those perfect models only serves to make us feel inferior,
inadequate, and unworthy. In this episode, we’re discussing the
real root behind body image issues, and how to stop comparing
yourself to others.
If you’ve ever found yourself comparing your looks or your
abilities or your accomplishments, to others, you aren’t alone, and
today is the perfect show for you. Today we’re going to be talking
about the trap of comparison and how we can find hope despite all
the shortcomings we see in ourselves.
In today’s episode, we’re going to talk with Heather Creekmore,
author of “Compared to Who: A Proven Path to Improve Your
Body Image”. She shares several tips that she has learned for how
to stop comparing yourself to others, and helps us understand where
to shift our focus and why, as a key to eliminating comparison and
body image issues.
Quotables from the episode:
- Stop comparing and start living. Listen how, here.
- If you ever compare yourself to others, or struggle with body
image issues, and want to know how to stop comparing yourself to
others, this is an episode you’re going to want to listen to.
- We as a culture are trained to believe that body image issues
are really about our body, but that just isn’t true.
- We fall for the lie that if we just looked different, we would
feel different. The truth is, beauty doesn’t give us freedom,
beauty doesn’t give us perfect lives. Only Jesus saves.
- Body image issues are really an idol. It’s a misplaced worship
issue…an idolatry issue.
- A daily exercise of confession and repentance brings freedom.
So every day it’s a matter of saying, “No, I am not going to bow
down to the idol of the mirror or the scale anymore.”
- Comparison feeds body image issues. We look around at others,
and compare our imperfections to what we see as perfection in
others.
- Comparison and body image issues often start in elementary
school or by middle school or high school where we start looking
around at others and realizing we are shaped differently than
them.
- Beauty is subjective and we all have different ideals of what
the most beautiful person looks like. That subjectivity makes the
goal of trying to look like them elusive.
- The first step in breaking free of body image issues is seeing
that idol, and recognizing it for what it is.
- Rather than looking in the mirror and trying to find something
you like about yourself, tilt the mirror up so that rather than
focusing on yourself, you see a reflection of Jesus.
- The answer to body image issues isn’t loving yourself more. The
answer is loving Jesus more.
- The greatest compliment is when people say they can see Jesus
in me.
- Our God is a God of order, of priorities. He does things in a
specific order for a specific reason. We need to figure out where
our priorities line up with His.
- We all have a sin nature. But there is therefore now no
condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus. But He wants
us to address our sin so we can have hope, joy, and peace.
- Pay attention to what you are feeding your eyes! That can stir
up envy, jealousy, low self-esteem in your heart.
- Let’s remember to seek to be more like Jesus, rather than
comparing ourselves to others.
Scripture References:
- Galatians 6:4-5 “Pay careful attention to
your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well
done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we
are each responsible for our own conduct.”
- 1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to
him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse
us from all wickedness.”
- Romans 8:1 “But there is
therefore now no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ
Jesus.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 says, “Be
imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
Recommended Resources:
Social Media Links for Host and Guest:
Connect with Heather Creekmore:
For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:
Air Date: May 20, 2019 (week 21)
Guest: Heather Creekmore, author of Compared to
Who?
Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson