For most of my life, I was constantly feeling dissatisfied with my body—not understanding why it wasn’t what the media and society deemed “perfect.” From the age of 12, I hopped on the diet train and often denied myself of proper nutrition in order to feel better about how I looked. For years, this was my cycle; diets, extreme workouts, self-loathing thoughts, jumping on the next super extreme diet plan…all because of an unrealistic view that had been instilled in me from childhood. But then the Lord started to speak to me about who I REALLY was in Christ—He started to show me in His word about what the Lord says about our bodies and how He made them to be good.

Today, instead of following harsh diets or punishing myself when I don’t fit into restrictive standards of beauty, I live a lifestyle of grace in food and in relationship with my body.

Everyone deserves to feel good and live their best life each day. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to start blessing and rejuvenating your body so that you can tap into the positive energy that Heaven has for you.

Here are 5 ways you can start to invite grace into your life and your relationship with your body today.

1. TREAT YOURSELF TO A DIGITAL DETOX

   In a world full of comparison and body image issues, taking regular breaks from screens can be incredibly beneficial for your self-esteem. By removing the constant waves of information coming at you all day every day, it allows our brains to enter into parasympathetic mode - calming us down and enabling us take some time out just to rest & digest. This helps clear our minds so we better recognize that there is more in life than simply always striving for something else!

2. GET YOUR BODY MOVING

   Exercise is the perfect way to give yourself a mental boost - it releases endorphins that can help you think more clearly and positively. So why not ditch the TV, turn off social media, and break out those dancing shoes? When our minds our clear that is when we can hear the BEST from Holy Spirit.

3. PRACTICE GRATITUDE

   We're all inclined to compare ourselves against one another -- coveting someone else's long legs, curly hair or skin tone. We judge our own appearances by trying to fit into an unattainable ideal of perfection that does not exist. Judging ourselves and others is the quickest way to pull us out of alignment with God. Yet, the truth is God doesn't make any mistakes; he created each and every individual with purpose from his image! Thank Him for it instead of wishing away aspects given as gifts!

4. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH OTHERS THAT SPEAK LIFE

   When I was still in the midst of this journey I remember being with a girlfriend and we were getting ready to go a double date with our husbands. As we were getting ready and trying on clothes I made a comment about how I didn’t care for my legs. She turned to me and said “We don’t speak to our bodies that way in this house”

   This was life changing for me. Every other person I had ever complained about my body to, complained right back about their own body. It had NEVER occurred to me that there were people out there that didn’t allow that kind of negativity and darkness into their lives. Surround yourself with people who carry the light of Heaven and be one yourself!

5. FIND A COMMUNITY ON THE SAME JOURNEY

   Find a community of people who are willing to coach you through, and allow you the space and time to unlearn all the bad habits! God created us all in His image, it’s time we started acting as such. There is still time to join the Bless Your Body Challenge, and walk along side Christ filled women who are committed to being at peace with who God created them to be.

   Take the opportunity this resolution season not only to appreciate what God has blessed you with but learn how to truly love yourself too- flaws included! Forget about earnest changes; true health comes from within when we take the time to accept our whole self.