Today, I want to talk about having a more positive body image and what the Bible says about our images. In 2014, I discovered I had breast cancer in my right breast. I had a mastectomy on that side followed by reconstruction to treat my breast cancer. I don’t regret the decision as it was the best thing for me to do in my situation to protect my health. Even so, it was devastating. It also really challenged me to deal with negative feelings I have had about the way I look, not just in this situation, but also during other times in my life.
Surprisingly after surviving breast cancer, I also had a lot guilt surrounding those negative feelings about my body. I felt guilty over being upset about how I looked after losing a breast. I also felt guilty over the fact that I was worried about how I would look after reconstruction was complete. After all, I was alive when many women don’t survive or have to go through even more difficult cancer treatments. Being passed child-bearing age, I technically didn’t need my breast for its intended purpose of nursing too.
I learned, though, that I didn’t need to feel guilty about these natural feelings. It was okay to grieve the loss. After all, God created women to be feminine. He distinguishes us from men by that and the way we are shaped. However, it is certainly not good to stay in a place of grief. And it’s through this experience and relying on God’s truth about who I am that started a change in my attitude about how I viewed myself.
I now try to see my body, my image in a more positive light. Of course, there are times when I still struggle with my attitude towards the way I look. But here are some things I remember when the struggle arises:
We are made in God’s image. I’ve known this fact all my life. Yet, I’m not sure I ever took it to heart until I had breast cancer. I think we, as women, often compare the way we look with the way other women look, but we were not made in someone else’s image. We were made in God’s image. His perfect hand created us each in His image, yet each with unique features and attributes. The fact is that this world would be a pretty boring place if we all looked exactly the same.
A perfect God made you, and His creation is a beautiful masterpiece. Therefore, you are beautiful! Don’t let anyone else’s opinion of you or society standards ever make you think otherwise! God doesn’t, and His standards are way higher.
Do you ever notice how we each have our own definition of what we consider is pretty? There is definitely truth in the saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One person’s opinion of what is pretty is often not another person’s opinion of pretty. I would love to have seen what Adam and Eve looked like in their perfect bodies before sin entered the world. I wonder if we would be surprised to find that they don’t look like what our society, the media, or even each of us today defines as beautiful.
We are all flawed in our bodies in different ways – each and every one of us. None of us are perfect in any way including how we look. I did not look perfect before my reconstruction surgery, and I do not look perfect now. But one day, we will have a new and wonderful heavenly body in which to dwell that’s free of sin, disease, and sickness.
If you are struggling with the physical scars from breast cancer or anything else, I encourage you to look at them as a sign of beauty and strength. You are an inspiration, and your story can be part of your witness for Christ. Remember our perfect Savior’s body was also scarred from being beaten and crucified on the cross. We look at His scars and see the beauty of His love, strength, and sacrifice for each of us.
Dressed in Faith
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalms 139:13-14
Hi Dianna! I always love your posts, but particularly like when you add a devotion, If we as women learn that we are made in God’s image and are beautiful AS WE ARE, our confidence is boosted, and God is glorified because we are focused on serving Him. Good to hear you remain cancer free:-)
Thank you so much Patty! Yes, I try to add a devotion once a week. I used to try to add a short one under each of my fashion and beauty posts. I’ve thought about changing back to that format, but it used to stress me out so much if I didn’t have a clear thought or topic to write about on any given day – it was more than I could handle! I’m a wannabe writer with no training. Lol I just try to follow God’s leading and write as I can. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for that. I too am a breast cancer survivor. I had a lumpectomy followed by a re-excision and a year later another re-excision. I had radiation but no chemo. Undressed, it’s very noticeable but usually when dressed it’s not- a padded bra and ‘petals’ help. Also, patterned tops but I do wear solid color tops too. I have worn Land’s End bathing suits for years because they have more support and last longer but I was still always self-conscious of my body. This summer I was much more comfortable in my bathing suit because I was just so glad to be cancer free! I didn’t care if I looked a little lopsided or had big hips! It was so freeing! We should all be thankful for our health and stop worrying so much about what others think of how we look.
Cindy, thank you for sharing! I am so glad you are cancer free! It is very freeing to be happy and content with ourselves imperfections and all! I bet you were rocking that swimsuit!
Dianna, thank you for this. I had breast cancer and bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction. I miss my breasts very much, but don’t regret my decision. My desire was to do everything I could to be able to live to be there for my children and grandchildren. God has been very gracious to me. When I look in the mirror, I am scarred and not what I used to be, but through this and other events, God is shaping me to the image of his Son. Your piece was beautifully written and so true.
Yes, God has been very gracious to me too! He has certainly made us stronger through this! And I feel as you do, grateful to be here with my family!!