The Way you were Made {31 Days}

A few weeks ago, I was in a funk. There were a lot of things kinda stacking up against one another, and I felt like everything just wasn't working. Our house was a mess, our kitchen was half-done, and our budget felt so and mean and unmoveable.

And then the jeans that usually fit great, were tight and unapologetic about it.

I felt all the cascading emotions--shame, guilt, sad, weary of being at this place again, and so much more.

Typically, my response to all of this is to just feel too overwhelmed about it to do anything. Instead of saying, "Enough!," I say "Well, whatever."

I often feel as though if I can't change everything, then why bother changing anything.

If I don't want to eat 100% clean, why bother eating better?

If I don't walk for 30 minutes, why bother walking at all?

But this day was different. That day I said, "Enough."

I made a decision that kinda surprised me.

I picked up some weights, turned on some music, and danced with my son. I sweat, I drank gobs of water, and I moved.

I didn't care about making an exercise plan or deciding to eat less carbs.

It wasn't about the pants or feeling bad about my flabby middle. I did it because I am tired of making excuses and letting shame spoil what God gave me.

In that moment, I valued my body. I didn't shame myself into "doing better" or give up on myself because it was easier.

I did it because I believed my body was valuable and beautiful.

That was a little turning point for me--one of many I think. And I know I'll stand at moments like this over and over in my life-- moments of choosing to look up at my Creator and thank him for my body and believe that He created my beautifully and intricately or moments of choosing to believe what shame is shouting at me. 

Here's what I want to tell you (and me!) all day long:
Believe you are beautiful, not because of the way you look, but because of the way you were made. God made you in His image, and He's the most beautiful thing that's ever been.

That phrase been on repeat for me lately; it reminds me to cherish and take healthy steps for my body--not out of shame, but out of worship and gratitude. Believe me, this is definitely something that is new and growing in me.

But I am so thankful for the way I feel it shifting my thinking, rewiring those old, dangerous wires of shame, and building up confidence and care for my body.

Questions of the day: Do you feel that you value and take care of your body? If so, what motivates you to do that? If not, what keeps you from valuing your body? Do you have any triggers of shame or regret? If so, what do you do to combat them in a healthy way?