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“When I was younger, I was always a little self-conscious about my body, never really knowing what it was capable of. I think that when you’re younger, you’re so focused on appearances and imperfections that it’s hard to see the God given abilities you have. I had corrective surgery for scoliosis when I was 14, and I was always so concerned with what other people thought of how I looked.

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When I started painting the tiny portrait series of women who inspire me, the first thing I noticed about all of them is what they had been able to accomplish and the character they displayed through adversity, not so much their beautiful appearances.

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Most of them faced struggle and oppression. While the rest of the world shook their head, they rose up and changed narratives. They moved mountains and started movements when nobody else would speak up.

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When I think about the woman I am becoming, I hope that my body is merely a vessel for the things that I can do to bring a light to the gospel. Trusting that God is faithful, I know He created me to do something good.

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Because ultimately, value is not found in my appearance, but in how I am able to share the love of Christ through the creative gifts that are uniquely mine.”

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Girls, Taylor is bringing truth to our IG front door!!!!And I’m so thankful for her boldness to share her gifts. I hope it invites you to explore how God is working through your creative gifting.

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Enjoy your first weekend of summer, Lovely!

“God is teaching me to see my body as a gift by first reminding me, as I dive into the scripture, that I am not of this world. My true home is in heaven, but while I am here on earth, I am on mission.

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He equipped me with my body, created in His own image, to do His work. Therefore, knowing that the creator of the universe CHOSE me, DESIGNED me, and LOVES me unconditionally JUST AS I AM allows me to find rest and to truly love myself.

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The enemy is constantly going to tell me that I’m not pretty enough, skinny enough, or strong enough. However, what God constantly reminds me about the enemy is that he is the father of lies- NOTHING he says is true!!

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Satan does not want me to glorify God so he uses deceitful tools such as comparison and worldly views of a “perfect body” to weaken my mind, spirit, and feelings of self worth when trying to shine my light for Jesus.

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Think about it, when I spend time worried about body image, I am giving the enemy just what he wants!! He wants to steal the power I have been given to enhance the kingdom through my body.

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Therefore, when I recognize that a thought isn’t true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, or admirable, The Lord reminds me that ONLY in Him do I find my worth, and everything He creates is good!!

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My beautiful body allows me to run and dance and stretch and eat and spread His love to others!! The creator of the universe made the moon and the stars and mountains and the oceans and me!!

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Lovelies, it’s so important to be in the Word of God because it is nothing but truth. In it, we see the wonder and beauty of who God is and how we are seen as precious in His eyes.”

“When I was in junior high, I started believing that I had to perform to be worth something. This mindset carried over through high school and into college. If I could just be better, do better, look better, I would finally feel worthy of affection and applause.

Here’s what I’ve realized the more I read God’s Word:

God didn’t give us flesh so that we could earn His applause. 

He gave us flesh so that we can serve. With our hands open and knees bent.

We submit our bodies to His will because He worth it. He is worth everything. 

My sister once told me, “God doesn’t compare. He just creates.”

We weren’t created to live in competition with the people around us. 

Today, it can be easy to listen to lies of the enemy. 

“You’re not good enough.”

“You can do better. 

“You can look better.”

“Try harder.”

The enemy battles hard for my heart just like he does for yours, and he won’t stop until we become convinced that God simply isn’t enough for us. 

First and foremost, we were created to love God and serve His people. 

You never had to impress Him. You’ve been worth something to Him all along. 

You were created to walk in His freedom.

Do you believe it?”

Lauren Kinney is an author and blogger based in Arlington, Texas. Her new book, Unshakeable: Overcoming Fear to Discover a Life of Freedom, releases on May 26th. Connect with her on Instagram @laurennkinney or at thelaurenkinney.com

“As a teenage girl, I was focused on being an athlete and I think that distracted me from “looks” or focusing on body image.

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As I became a young woman, I found myself more aware of my body. People always pointed out my height and that I had long arms. I found myself admiring other women for having certain aspects that I didn’t have. I wrestled with “societal norms” and “standards of beauty”.

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However, I had an uncle that would affirm me often. He would tell me that I’m beautiful just the way God made me! I learned that I have to look to what the Bible says about me and my body and not what society says.

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Shortly after, I came across the scripture Psalm 139:4. The more I meditated on this scripture, the more my confidence grew! The fact that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by the creator of the universe struck something deep within me. It gave me confidence that wasn’t easily shaken.

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When I read in Ephesians 2:10 that we are His workmanship, it makes my heart smile that my body is exactly how God intended it to be. I am to use it for His glory and to make Him known to people around me. My body is a gift, so I try to stay healthy and keep in shape to steward well the gift God has given me.

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So now, I joke often that God gave me height and long arms to use for “hugging ministry” which actually has proven to be something I do often! Not to mention, they served me pretty well on the basketball court too! ;)”

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LaToria’s gifts for songwriting and spoken word can be found all over the internet, but my favorite spots include her site latoriamusic.com & Spotify.

“Body and Image are two words that often bring up emotions we would classify as negative. Whether it’s sadness, anxiety, bitterness, anger, jealousy, etc.. I have felt them all when it comes to my body and my image.

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Growing up, I naturally fell into a pattern and role of performing for others. While some of my passions required a performance — cheerleading, public speaking, musical engagements — the act of “performing” bled into other crevasses of my life. Areas that “performing’ had no place of being.

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In my relationships with parents, friends, and romantic interests, in my schoolwork, and even now into my career, I am naturally bent to feel like I have to perform for others in order to receive their acceptance. My image was a major part of the performing.

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I had to look the part to play the part.

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This led to an unhealthy relationship with dieting, exercise, clothing, and most of all make-up! I did not feel like me if I was not completely put together on the outside. I would dress to hide what I would deem as imperfections, use make-up to cover and correct the flaws I pointed out each morning, and utilize diets and exercise to feel like I had control over my body.

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All of these things to be able to perform for others in order to feel valued and accepted. This pattern may have played itself out differently throughout various situations, but it ended the same every single time. I was left feeling inadequate and not enough.

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Now this is a struggle I still face each and every day, but by the grace of God, He has showed me truth and given me tools to fight back!

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First, I am created in HIS IMAGE! The God of the universe has chosen for me and for you to be created in His image. Not only do we bear the physical representation of Him, but this is also gives us a purpose. To be made in His image means we are given a body to do the work He has called us to do, to be His representatives. What an honor it is that my body in and of itself is a representation of our great God!

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As if that alone is not enough to change my perception of my body and image, God also tells us that He has individually knitted together every fabric of my being. There are no mistakes; there are no flaws. When I am able to see my body and my image through the lens of God’s purpose for me, I am significantly less focused on how my image represents myself.

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I don’t need to perform for others because my focus is on representing a loving Savior who has created me and called me to something much more.”

In this season of my life, God is teaching me to see my body as a gift in the area of motherhood. I have just welcomed my 2nd baby into the world and am reminded of how fearfully and wonderfully made our bodies truly are. From nourishing and growing a child during pregnancy, to the strength, power and endurance of labor and then the nourishing of the baby through breast milk, it all points to a Creator.
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For me, pregnancy is a trying time in the area of body image. The enemy is ever present in trying to get my focus off of the wonderful gift of pregnancy and shift my thoughts to comparison, dissatisfaction, self-punishment and negative self-talk.
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However, the actual process of labor and delivery, for me personally, has very much been a divine intervention. I am reminded that my body was created to be able to deliver a child into the world. The pain is my body working for me and never against me. I am reminded that I am capable of doing difficult things and I stand in awe of what my body can do.
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How quickly we are as women to go back to bashing ourselves just as soon as the baby arrives. We seek out diets and workout routines all in the name of pursuing our pre-baby bodies. Perhaps we weren’t meant to return to our pre-baby bodies, but rather to nourish and move our current bodies. Our bodies that now bare the signs of motherhood.
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I pray for all current and future mothers that we would walk boldly in the truth of being made in His image. I pray that our bodies would turn our eyes to the Maker and turn our hearts to praise. That we would dispel the lies of the enemy.
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And that we would model for our children what it looks like to practice body kindness.