249 Breaking Free from Body Image Pain!

Episode Summary:  Dive into a candid conversation on our podcast about the deep-rooted pain in body image issues. Join me with Heather Creekmore of Compared to Who as we share personal stories, challenges, and effective coping strategies. If you've ever felt the sting of self-inflicted shame or the hurtful words of others, this episode is a must-listen!   Quotables from the Episode: Nowhere in scripture, though, can I find a place that says the more you serve God, the less you're going to suffer. We all struggle with pride in some area of our life, but that mentality, that compensatory coping mechanism that I can't control my husband losing his job or my mom getting cancer, but I can control this area,  that's pride coming through that I need to be able to control something in my life. We are so pain averse that we just want God to take it away. Yesterday. And when he doesn't, that's when we start going down the slippery slope of believing lies, the same kind of lies that contribute to Body image issues. The more we think those thoughts, the more entrenched they come, the more they form our beliefs and our beliefs form our attitudes and our attitudes contribute to our actions. And that's where the enemy gets us because frequently we ruminate on those negative thoughts. Whereas God speaks over us positive thoughts. The neat thing about neuroplasticity is that we can train our brain to let the weeds grow on those ruts and form new pathways. But it takes conscious work. And if we don't slow down, we don't even notice the thoughts that we're having that wreak havoc. And we have between 50 and 70,000 thoughts a day. And when we're experiencing pain, we are more vulnerable to hearing and believing those lies, regardless of the type of pain. The enemy hates it when we praise God. And nothing will make him leave us alone faster than when we're praising and worshiping. There is a very fine line between complaining and lamenting. Complaint is very me focused. It is what I think I deserve and it's rooted in pride. God offers lament as a gift to us. Lament is really expressing our personal despair or loss. God can handle our emotions and he can handle our questions. And I would go so far as to say he'd rather hear all about it. Then let us walk away from him, because that's the other tendency with pain is to isolate ourselves and withdraw from God. What pain does is that it, it focuses us so inward. Whereas God offers the opportunity through pain for us to recognize our dependence on him.   Scripture References: Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”   Recommended Resources:  The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: Hope for Christian Women Who've Tried Everything (A Journey from Insecurity to Positive Body Image and Self-Worth) by Heather Creekmore The Burden of Better: How a Comparison Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace, and Rest by Heather Creekmore Compared to Who: A Proven Path to Improve Your Body Image by Heather Creekmore Aging Gratefully: A 30-Day Devotional for Women by Heather Creekmore  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Guest and Host: Connect with Heather Creekmore: Website / Facebook / Instagram/ YouTube For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube Guest: Heather Creekmore writes and speaks hope to thousands of women each week, inspiring them to stop comparing and start living. The host of the popular podcast, Compared to Who?, she has been featured on dozens of other shows and podcasts as well as on Fox News and HuffPost. She was a contestant on the hit Netflix bake fails show Nailed It. Heather and her marine-fighter-pilot turned pastor-husband, Eric, have four children and live in Austin, Texas.   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.