As I stated in my last post, I have been reading a book on fasting. I’m not finished with it yet, but was wondering what others views on body image were.
The author Scot McKnight prescribes to the theory that the problem we have nowadays with fasting (or as he calls it later body talk) is a general disconnection of our body from our soul/spirit. This he feels is caused by our body image. He gives four common images and feels most of us can relate to one or more of them. The four common images he lists are:
- as a monster to be conquered;
- as a celebrity to be glorified;
- as a cornucopia to be filled;
- as a wallflower to be ignored.
He holds that each of these body images shape whether we fast and if we do how we fast.
Now I’m not ready to get into a full-blown discussion on fasting yet, but was really curious how you view your body? This is not a topic I have heard talked about much before. I realize there is a duality between physical self and spiritual self, but have we been programmed to believe the physical is all bad or unimportant? Can there be a meshing of the two that glorifies God and allows us to the fullest “us” that we can be?
I never realized that my body image as far as spirituality goes was undefined. But the more I’ve thought about it, the more I find that is the case. I am a sloppy mess of most of the images listed above. I tried to discuss this with my sis, but I was having a tough time expressing what I was thinking in words. So I fell back on what I know – I’m better at writing my thoughts out than speaking them.
So what do you think? Does our body image affect our ability to fulfill God’s calling on our lives? Or am I still just jabbering aimlessly?
Dear Kim,
You asked what we thought about fasting. I do know what the Word says about fasting, and I know what I have felt when God called me to fast. I will just share with you what I know.
When there is a need, Jesus said, some of these come only by prayer and fasting. So there are needs in our life when we need to pray and fast. To me fasting is fasting, which means not just one item, but complete meals.
When I have been called on to fast, I knew assuredly that the Lord expected it of me, and there would be results. We don’t fast to get our way. We fast to find the will of God.
I love ya’ll. Keep looking up and holding on.
Love to your whole family.
Grandma
Thanks so much for commenting Grandma. I really am blessed to have such a solid example in my life. We love and miss ya’ll so much!
i struggle with my weight a lot, so I think #1 is probably behind a lot of my motivation. Unfortunately, I often act like it’s #3
But seriously, #1. And I hate that. it’s not just weight, it’s lots of stuff. I feel like I have a lot of thing to keep “under control,” which I know isn’t the best possible life I could be living.
As far as fasting goes, I’ll have to think about how this relates. I used to fast food a lot, like once a month, and it was great. But that was years ago.
I think in my subconcious I see fasting as something you do when you’re spiritually awesome, and b/c I have things to work on, i don’t think immediately of fasting. but that’s totally backwards. Things change because of prayer and fasting.
oh man, this is a book of a comment! nice post
I so relate to your struggles, I’ve been there too with my weight.
Isn’t it odd that even though in our mind we know we don’t have to “do” anything before turning to God, we still have this urge to do things to fix ourselves up before we turn to Him. I catch myself doing that a lot.
Thanks for stopping by
i think body image may have an effect on how we serve God. if one believes that they are inferior before man, either in body image, intelligence or attractiveness, will be limited as to how they serve if they let those thoughts rule them. I struggle with this myself, and i feel God calling me to overcome it. to think of myself as He thinks of me.
i’m still working on it.
excellent topic, sis! and sorry i missed your meaning in the conversation.
love you