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Hey y’all! My name is Jocelyn Zelaya, I’m a freshman at Texas Tech University. And I’m also on the Body Truth Advisory Board.
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When it comes to my body, I have not always had the best relationship with it. It’s so easy to compare yourself with other people and to conform to what society thinks is “beautiful.”
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Which is definitely something that I have done.
I have struggled with comparing myself with others, whether that be influencers, you-tubers, or my friends.
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And trust me, I’ve done “dieting,” but I only did this so I could “fix” the way I looked. In developing a deeper relationship with the Lord, I have started to see myself way differently.
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Although it still may be hard to not compare myself to others, I’ve learned to embrace my body and who I am. Seeing myself through Jesus’s eyes has made me realized that I’m valuable. 1 Corinthians 3:16 has always been a verse that helps me remember this.
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This specific verse helps me realize that my body is a temple and that it is sacred. Regardless of what society sees as beautiful, I know that my identify is rooted in him.
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1 Corinthians 3:16
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person, for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”

Honestly, in terms of body image, I’m not doing so hot right now. And that’s okay! I am working through it.

Recently, I have found something to be very uplifting — God created us each with a unique purpose. The Good Lord gave us our bodiesx & He created these incredible vessels that allow us to fulfill our purpose.

Although I may not know exactly what my purpose is yet, I know that I was created to serve the Lord and love others. I can see myself as made in God’s Image through His love for me.

We were each created in His Image, yet we were each created uniquely with a slew of different purposes. It is hard for me to view myself as made in God’s Image because it is so difficult to imagine being made in the likeness of The Creator of the Universe!

But, it is soooo important that I learn to love myself as God loves me. And I must also give others the same respect and love that the Lord gives them. He made us each in His almighty image and therefore, we are wholly beautiful His eyes.

Hello, I’m Jodie Hunt. I am going into my junior year in high school. Today, I want to talk about body image.

I have not always had the best relationship with my body. Along with several others, I used to see myself as not pretty or talented enough. High school made it even harder for me as I would always compare myself to others and always thought something was wrong with me.

Since that time in my life, I have gotten to know Jesus and myself better. Jesus taught me that my body has a gift and he made me just as he wanted me to be for a reason.

He has plans use my gifts for His glory. I am perfect in His image.

Yes, there are still times when I feel less than worthy, but whenever I do, I pray to help remind me that I have a beautiful, healthy body.

I like to remind myself of this verse in Psalms: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalms 139:14) Whenever I read this verse, I am reminded that I am just where God wants me to be. I am enough.

God has been teaching me to be a good steward of the body He has given me. In this season of COVID-19, I caught myself not taking care of my body in a kind way.

To be honest, I was mistreating my God given body.

Additionally, because I was not taking care of my body, my mental space started degrading. It wasn’t good, and I knew I needed to seek God for help.

God taught me and is continuing to teach me that true health is not about looking good on the outside (1 Samuel 16:7), but treating our bodies with the respect and care they deserve.

A verse that keeps running through my mind is 1 Corinthians 6:19.  Paul reminds us the Holy Spirit dwells in us, therefore, we are to honor God with our bodies as they “are not [our] own”.

Knowing that has been helping me be a good steward towards my body since it is a gift — created by God. 

How do you do something that’s never been done before?

Jackie Joyner-Kersey won three gold, one silver & two bronze medals over four consecutive Olympic games.

Sally Ride was the first American female in space.

Karla Susana Wheelock Aguayo was the first Mexican woman to successfully traverse the rugged terrain of Mt. Everest and reach its daunting summit.

Karnam Malleswari became India’s first woman to earn an Olympic medal. Her event? Weightlifting!!!

These women guide us in accomplishing what had never been done — before they came along. What do they all have in common?

They did not see their “weaknesses” as limiting. They did not see their female bodies as hindrances.

Being born in a female body did not deter them from dreaming they were capable of doing what had never been done before.

Today, I hope you’ll take a few seconds to catch a glimpse of your beautiful reflection. Speak to that girl looking back at you from your bathroom mirror and remind her she was created for such a time as this.

Tell her, “Today, my body is a vessel for accomplishing what has never done before.”

And then go do that thing. Give your brother an extra hug when he is ridiculously hard to love. Ask your mom how you can pray for her when her spirit is flailing from exhaustion. Encourage your friend with a few uplifting, life-giving words.

And don’t underestimate the goodness your body is capable of. Your beautiful God-gifted body bears the light of Jesus, in both the big achievements & the small, everyday accomplishments.

Join me as I pray and ask the LORD : Father, help us “seek Your face” as we love like the world has never seen before.

Behind me sits my very favorite Shakespearen Sonnet — #94. This poem admonishes us to use our power & influence for good. With our physical strength, we can choose to be “they that have power to hurt and will do none.”

My first Shakespeare read was almost a disaster; it was Romeo & Juliet. I still recall my disbelief at the play’s final scene. I couldn’t believe the star-crossed lovers died; they both literally used their strength, their power, to kill themselves.

Why in the heck is this guy famous?!?! — I thought. He’s writing about teenagers falling in love and dying. By their own hands, they hurt their bodies to the point of death because of miscommunication and love-deranged reasoning.

But reading Shakespeare is actually bringing me comfort right now.

He has me thinking about how our lives need to look like the opposite of Romeo & Juliet. We need to be using our power to help, not hurt!

All kinds of things can cloud our reasoning and make us feel “off” as we navigate hot summer months, five months in from when the at-home orders started. Many of us our reaching our boiling points.

Especially during these months when physical and social illness pervade our conversations, it’s NECESSARY we say the good words that need to be said. To our own selves. To our family and friends. To the people in our social and “real” communities.

Today, I hope you get to use your voice, your influence, & your power to advocate for kindness. For compassion.

For love that helps the world see every•body as made in His likeness.