Telling God About My Body Image

by Hannah Hanzel

Because of something called Body Dysmorphia, I frequently fail to see my body as it truly is. My mind’s eye sees my body falsely as a heavier weight, hyper-focusing on the flaws either seen or unseen. My mirror lies to me every day.

On days that I feel very unattractive and broken, I write liturgies and prayers to draw my mind back to reality and to invite my Perfect Father into my headspace. On a bad day as I pray, I repeat truths over and again in my head to combat the body image lies. On a good day, as I pray, I see anxiety shift to clarity, negativity shift to hope and depressive thoughts shift to light.

Below is a short and simple liturgy I wrote. I pull it out and pray it at least once a week these days. Through it, God is teaching me He loves me unconditionally.

A Liturgy for those Struggling with their Body Image

Oh Lord my God,

In the times when my mind’s eye misshapes my figure, and in the moments when I struggle to rightly value my body…

I ask that you come and enter the space of my heart to remind me my worth is not in my athleticism, bodily functions, flexibility, physical shape or clothing size.

I stretch out my limbs and remember your faithful provision of the mobility I have for the time being.

You tell me that I am valuable, intentionally shaped, beautiful, your bride, your treasure.

As I peer in the mirror, help me see the scars as memories you redeem. Help me see the stretch marks as momentary expressions on a finite body. Help me see the rolls and unwanted weight as the least important part of who I am.

You love me. My body is good.

Amen.

Author Bio
Hammocks, hot tubs, Spotify, close friends, campfires, poetic journal entries and well-selected fonts are all contributions to Hannah Hanzel’s ideal day. She can be found pining over these in her lamp-lit office at Council Road Baptist Church, serving as the Creative Director. She enjoys conversations that include dad jokes, travel plans, theology, art and struggles with faith. Feel free to reach out at hannahhanzel@yahoo.com.