Body Margin

So the current message series at my church is about margin. Basically being able to create balance in your life so that you aren't filling up and overflowing with things that can be toned down, balanced and kept away from the edge.

This week was about body margin and how to treat your body with kindness. It doesn't belong to you, it belongs to God.

Oddly enough, right before I went to church last night I had a small breakdown and put-down festival with myself over my body. I stood in front of the mirror and just tore myself apart. I made myself feel guilty for not going out and running like I "should" have, but instead choosing to veg in front of the TV.

Then I show up and have God speak to me through our senior pastor. I couldn't help but chuckle and think "Nice one, God. I hear ya."

So creating body margin is based on the idea of managing your physical energy. This can happen when exertion is followed by rest. But being able to find the balance of this is a challenge for most people. Too much exertion/not enough rest results in being over-stretched. Too much rest/not enough exertion can result in atrophy of the mind, depression.

For my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing; my strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my body has wasted away. (Psalm 31:10)

This made me think quite a bit about God's expectation of our bodies. He doesn't expect perfection (or at least, the man-made ideal of perfection) because to him, we are already perfect. God doesn't care that I have 30 lbs to lose, or that I would look hideous in a bikini. God sees who I am without actually seeing the physical me. I need to start thinking about that when I feel the need to demean myself because of my looks. God wants me to take care of me, because it is what he would do. God wants me to be healthy. God doesn't want me to hold myself to the standards of others, to hate the body that he gave me and to punish it in the ways that I do.

God gave me this message as I am coming up on some very stressful and hard times these next two weeks. I have to hope now that God is going to give me the strength to be able to listen to and follow it.

8 comments:

Just Be Real said...
April 18, 2010 at 5:49 PM

This made me think quite a bit about God's expectation of our bodies. He doesn't expect perfection (or at least, the man-made ideal of perfection) because to him, we are already perfect. God doesn't care that I have 30 lbs to lose, or that I would look hideous in a bikini. "God sees who I am without actually seeing the physical me. I need to start thinking about that when I feel the need to demean myself because of my looks. God wants me to take care of me, because it is what he would do. God wants me to be healthy. God doesn't want me to hold myself to the standards of others, to hate the body that he gave me and to punish it in the ways that I do."

Lily what a powerful message you received. I pray all that read here who struggle in this area (as I) will heed to these words.

Dear one, I pray that God gives you the strength to face whatever comes your way these coming weeks. Blessings and much hugs.

Grace said...
April 18, 2010 at 8:17 PM

Thank you for this reminder...I spend a lot of time at war with my body, hating everythng it was designed to do...because of what he did to me.

Bernie said...
April 19, 2010 at 12:54 AM

So many women feel this way about their bodies.....thanks for reminding us we are all beautiful children of God and he loves us as we are.........:-) Hugs

Paula said...
April 19, 2010 at 2:47 AM

Perfection for how long and how dearly I was chasing it! On all levels not only physically till someone asked HOW THIS PRECIOUS PERFECTION OF MINE LOOKED LIKE. I had no glue. NONE. Ever since I am ok surely there are days where I wish I would improve faster but then I am human, arent I ;-)) Be kind with you, all parts of you.

Catherine said...
April 19, 2010 at 5:35 PM

dearest, here listening and thinking of you today as always. Thank you for this post.

Love, Catherine

Stephanie said...
April 19, 2010 at 10:31 PM

Oh, Lily. Thanks for the beautiful comment on my blog. I understand your worry about parenting. I too, dreamed as a little girl of someday being a Mommy. Hang in there. One issue at a time, right? When I used to get ahead of myself in terms of worry my Mom used to say, "Oh, Steffi, don't borrow trouble from tomorrow."
Bless you...

Stephanie said...
April 19, 2010 at 10:31 PM

Oh, Lily. Thanks for the beautiful comment on my blog. I understand your worry about parenting. I too, dreamed as a little girl of someday being a Mommy. Hang in there. One issue at a time, right? When I used to get ahead of myself in terms of worry my Mom used to say, "Oh, Steffi, don't borrow trouble from tomorrow."
Bless you...

Sherry said...
April 21, 2010 at 4:03 PM

Just dropped in from a fellow blogger and wanted to say hi. Your words are captivating and sweetly honest. I can't wait to see more. Sending you warm, sisterly hugs today. My heart breaks with you for your loss.