An Invitation

My fingers tremble as I click the keyboard. I can’t believe I am doing this, but I’m sending out the invitation.

On Thursday nights, Northwest Bible Church hosts Recovery for Life, 6:45 pm.  It’s a gathering of believers that unite for the purpose of connecting and sharing about how the biblically-rooted 12 Steps invites individuals to seek healing over hiding.

Next week, March 8, I am speaking to the group about body image distortion and disordered eating.   The discussion will include factual information about different stages of body image distortion and the role that the body of Christ plays in helping people heal from the wounds that negative body image incurs. I am inviting you.

I am not an expert on this, by any means.  Most of the information I’m sharing has been pulled from the highly researched, user friendly site, https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ ,or it has been cited from the reliable sources this organization has utilized in its own research.

But I am in recovery in this area, and I will probably be my whole life.  As I pursue and receive healing in this area, I invite you to join me in learning more about how our bodies are precious and good, made in His image.

I’ve had a few people ask more about the basic definitions lately.  (ie. What does the term, “body image,” really mean?)  Below are a few of the introductory points I plan to share next week, taken straight from the third slide.

• Body image is defined as one’s thoughts, perceptions, and attitudes about their physical appearance. How do you see yourself and feel about your body (e.g., height, shape, and weight) when you look in the mirror?
• Positive body image is a clear, true perception of your shape; seeing the various parts of your body as they really are. Body positivity (or body satisfaction) involves:
  • –feeling comfortable and confident in your body,
  • –accepting your natural body shape and size, and
  • –recognizing that physical appearance says very little about one’s character and value as a person.
• Negative body image, on the other hand, involves a distorted perception for one’s shape. Negative body image (or body dissatisfaction) involves feelings of:
  • –shame,
  • –anxiety, and
  • –self-consciousness.
• People who experience high levels of body dissatisfaction feel their bodies are flawed in comparison to others, and these folks are more likely to suffer from feelings of depression, isolation, low self-esteem, and eating disorders. Negative body image is also referred to as body image distortion.

From there, we’ll move into a deeper discussion, and I hope that bringing some of this into the light will encourage individuals in the room to pursue recovery in a new way or aid others in pursuing recovery.

We believe the truth about who He says WE ARE: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).