Do you love your body? Perhaps that question stirs up a lot of emotions–negative or positive. Or maybe you never really give your body much thought. Either way, it’s a question worth asking yourself and taking the time to reflect on to discover what your belief of body love is. It’s my hope today that you will leave with a better understanding of what it truly means to love your body and how you as a stay-at-home mom can practice God-honoring self-care.
While on my morning walk the other day, God showed me how my fitness motivation has changed from fear and vanity to love, gratitude and a chance to honor Him.
I’ll admit that before children, taking care of my health was always very easy for me. I enjoyed it (for the most part) and had all the lovey warm feelings for my body to go with it. After kids, this was not the case. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated at countless failed attempts to get back into a routine. And I was so dissatisfied with the extra baby weight that I didn’t love my body at all.
Maybe you’re in the same boat. You know you should be taking better care of yourself, but you just can’t find the time or energy to exercise. Maybe, like me, you are frustrated at all your previous failed attempts to maintain a routine. Perhaps you look at yourself in the mirror and have no idea how you got to where you are, and it seems impossible to get to where you want to be.
Whatever your reason, I am here to tell you there is hope, and it starts with love.
God’s Kind of Love for Your Body
For a long time, when I heard the word love, I associated it with having warm and positive feelings for another. Awhile back, though, I came across Joyce Meyer’s definition, and it helped me understand God’s kind of love so much better. She says, “love is not a feeling, but a decision about how we will treat a person.” When we take the feelings out of it and make the decision that we are going to treat another with kindness and respect as Jesus would, we are walking in love.
Here is the cool part, though. It works for ourselves too. And I think God wants us as moms to make the decision that we are going to treat ourselves kindly and with respect.
But How Exactly Do We Treat Ourselves With Love?
I believe it starts with our love for God and perspective.
If we are in relationship with God, then I think everything we do starts with the desire to please Him. While I grew up in religion, I didn’t grow up in relationship with Christ. These are two totally different things and relationship makes all the difference. For me, religion was a to-do list. On the other hand, relationship has been this awesome experience of getting to know someone and form a deep connection. When we’re in a deep and loving relationship with someone, it’s our natural desire to want to please them and bring them joy.
It also makes us grateful for all they do for us. Acknowledging that God has given us the gift of life and an able mind and body is a great place to start. Yes, our bodies may not look the way we want them to, they may feel tired and sore every now and then, but we can move, we are healthy, and we are able. For that we have much to be grateful for.
It’s from this heart posture or love, relationship, and gratitude that we are now able to steward. God gives us many gifts, and He expects us to steward them well. To steward simply means to manage or take care of. If God has given us healthy and able bodies, then He wants and expects us to manage them well. Not perfectly, but well.
You see, when we make this internal shift, suddenly all our healthy habits – big or small – are acts of worship and easier to say yes to. I’ll be honest that you won’t always have warm and positive feelings for exercise and healthy eating. I enjoy my morning walks, but I can’t remember the last time I was excited for a lifting session. I eat the veggies and do enjoy them, but most days my tastebuds would rather eat the french fries. But remember, love isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision to treat ourselves well.
It’s important to note that this heart change doesn’t happen overnight. It can, but I have found in my own experience that these internal shifts can take some time. But if you are ready to make the decision that you are going to love your body and steward the health you do have well, regardless of your current feelings, then I encourage you try to some of these very practical self-care suggestions that you can begin implementing today.
Practical, God-Honoring, Self-Care Suggestions:
Time with God
I like to set this time aside first thing in the morning. This is the one shift I made in my daily routine that has made all the difference. When I don’t start my day with God, the day is more stressful and chaotic. There is no right or wrong way to spend this time. It helps to remember that this is time to build relationship, and the same way you build relationships with people in your life is the same way you build it with God. Make intentional time to hang with Him, share what’s going on with you (prayer), and learn about and listen to Him (read the bible and sit in quiet as you listen for what He has to say to you). And start with the time you have. If it’s only 5 minutes, that’s okay.
Exercise
The best exercise routine is the one you will stick with. I encourage you to find what you enjoy. There are so many options out there. Have fun trying new classes or types of exercise to discover what you do and don’t enjoy. Feel like there is no time for that? Then at the very least try a walk. I love walking because it’s free, easily accessible, and something I don’t mind doing every day. The important thing is that you are finding something that moves and strengthens your body daily. Again, start small. Is 10 minutes all you can carve out? Great, start there!
Nutrition
Don’t overthink this. Choose real, God-made food over processed food. Again, start small. Pick one meal a day that you want to make healthier. Master a few healthy options to have in rotation, and then move on to adding another meal. Small baby steps forward will have lasting impact.
Rest
In my opinion, this is a daily necessity for moms. You may think there is no time for rest, but trust me, you will be so much more productive by taking a little downtime each day to rest and recharge. I found for myself that some downtime after lunch was perfect. After a busy morning I usually take time to read, pray or nap for 20-30 minutes. It helps me reset and reenergize for the afternoon and evening ahead. After seeing the positive impact it had in my day, I lost all guilty feelings for doing it. 🙂
Final Thoughts on God-Honoring Self-Care
These are just a few ways to love and care for yourself each day that will begin to make serious impact in your health and well-being. I know you are busy because you’re are a mom, but if you aren’t intentional about making time for yourself, no one else will be. You’ve been given an amazing body with the breath of life. It’s your responsibility to steward this precious gift from God well. Not only so you can fulfill His call on your life, but also so you live the example for your children.
I hope you found today’s reading encouraging. No matter where you are in your health journey, know that God cares and He is here to help you. Seek Him and ask Him to change your heart. Then be amazed at what you will accomplish when you partner with Him in your health journey!
Looking for more encouragement in your exercise journey? Try these:
3 Steps To Get Back On Track With Your Exercise Routine