{"id":16212,"date":"2021-08-31T09:00:44","date_gmt":"2021-08-31T13:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/?p=16212"},"modified":"2021-08-30T17:55:23","modified_gmt":"2021-08-30T21:55:23","slug":"5-ways-to-feel-better-about-your-body-and-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2021\/08\/5-ways-to-feel-better-about-your-body-and-life.html","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways to Feel Better About Your Body and Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Do you compare yourself to other people? Most likely- Yes! Hey, we all belong to the sisterhood of the traveling dissatisfied <\/u>pants. Comparisons are easy to do in this saturated media environment in which we live.<\/p>\n

Years ago, I wrote a book, Making Peace with Your Thigh,<\/em><\/a> based on how difficult it is to be satisfied with your body in today’s culture. Even the healthies self-images among us have to be vigilant when it comes to loving your body.<\/p>\n

It is difficult to look in the mirror and not compare ourselves to the altered images we see splashed everywhere we look. Yes, we know those images are photo shopped, lit beautifully and the result of the work of professional make-up artists. Still those images are burned into our minds. We know they aren\u2019t reality, but that doesn\u2019t seem to matter. We don\u2019t look like those people!<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve been told over and over, you aren\u2019t what you weigh\u2014your worth is deeper, much more internal to who you are, yet we struggle to believe this. And social media has only fueled the fire of discontent. For example, let me post on Instagram\u2014wait, I need a filter, retake that photo as it is not a good angle, crop and edit so my things don’t\u00a0look so big\u2026you know the drill!<\/p>\n

Sadly, we have placed more emphasis on becoming better versions of ourselves on social media than on being imitators of Christ. We seek the approval of others yet we know it is God\u2019s approval that matters. I am designed by God, but constantly trying to improve that external design with less emphasis on the internal\u2014the things that God says matter the most. So we have to stay mindful; mindful of how comparisons impact us when we allow them to sink into our souls.<\/p>\n

Comparison breeds jealousy, discontent and constant striving. The body obsession that grips us today distracts us from God and often serves as a false sense of control in our lives. For instance, it is easier to change a hair style than deal with a difficult marriage. But body obsession can serve a purpose. It distracts us from life stress but also distracts us from God.<\/p>\n

So what can we do? First, get your priorities right. Matthew 5\u00a0tells us,\u00a0You are blessed when you are content with who you are, no more, not less. That\u2019s the moment you find yourself proud owners of everything that can\u2019t be bought.\u00a0<\/em>What can’t be bought? The things that are of eternal importance. Focus on those things.<\/p>\n

Second, don’t ignore God.\u00a0Romans 8: 6-8 clearly tells us, Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self, ignores God and ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn\u2019t pleased at being ignored.\u00a0<\/em>When we put time and energy into our God relationship, our focus shifts and we learn to be content.<\/p>\n

Third, name and reclaim those parts of your body that cause you to obsess. Either do something constructive about your physical body like exercise, eating better and losing weight in order to improve your health, or learn to accept that you will never look like a super model and need to be be grateful for the body you have.<\/p>\n

Fourth, be around people who do not obsess on physical appearance. This helps keep your focus on the more important things in life. Stop looking at all the media and magazines and see if you feel better.<\/p>\n

Finally, you are unique and comparing yourself to others is foolish and unwise. It is true. No one determines your worth but God. And He has already decided you are beautiful. Stop striving, enjoy God and your life. And by all means, stop comparing!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Do you compare yourself to other people? Most likely- Yes! Hey, we all belong to the sisterhood of the traveling dissatisfied pants. Comparisons are easy to do in this saturated media environment in which we live. Years ago, I wrote a book, Making Peace with Your Thigh, based on how difficult it is to be…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[925],"tags":[2179,1282,85,5697,5700,5703],"class_list":["post-16212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mintle-mentions","tag-body-acceptance","tag-body-dislike","tag-body-image","tag-comparing-yourself-to-others","tag-feel-better-about-your-body","tag-social-comparisons"],"yoast_head":"\n5 Ways to Feel Better About Your Body and Life<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you compare yourself to other people? Comparison breeds jealousy, discontent and constant striving. It's time for some body acceptance!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Ways to Feel Better About Your Body and Life\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Do you compare yourself to other people? Comparison breeds jealousy, discontent and constant striving. It's time for some body acceptance!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2021\/08\/5-ways-to-feel-better-about-your-body-and-life.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Doing Life Together\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/drlindamintle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-08-31T13:00:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-08-30T21:55:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/258\/2021\/08\/woman-6003508_1920.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Linda Mintle\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@drlindamintle\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"5 Ways to Feel Better About Your Body and Life","description":"Do you compare yourself to other people? 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