Healing and Recovery Through Faith

Let me share my experience helping others find healing through faith on their body image journey. It’s been quite the adventure, both personally and in my years of Personal Training and Wellness counseling work.

I remember sitting across from Sarah (not her real name, of course) in my studio one Tuesday afternoon. She’d been struggling with body image issues for years, and nothing seemed to help until we started incorporating specific Scripture-based healing practices. That’s when things began to click. And you know what? Her breakthrough helped me develop a practical approach that I’ve seen work wonders for so many others.

Here’s what I’ve learned works best for faith-based body image healing. First up, we’ve got to address the elephant in the room – those negative thought patterns that feel like they’re on repeat in our minds. I teach my clients a technique I call “Truth Journaling.” It’s pretty straightforward: whenever a negative body thought pops up, write it down. Then, right next to it, write what God’s Word says about that specific thought. For example, if the thought is “I’m not enough,” we pair it with Romans 8:37 – “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

Can I be real with y’all for a minute? Sometimes Wellness counseling gets a bad rap for being all talk and no practical application. But here’s the thing – I’ve found that combining traditional therapeutic techniques with biblical truth is absolutely powerful. We use something called “Holy Spirit Guided Imagery,” where we spend time in prayer, asking God to help us see ourselves through His eyes. It might sound a bit out there, but I’ve watched people have massive breakthrough moments during these sessions.

The recovery process isn’t linear – and that’s okay! Some days you’re feeling on top of the world, reciting Scripture like a champ. Other days? Well, those old thought patterns try to creep back in. That’s why I always recommend having what I call a “Truth Team” – three to five trusted Christian friends who can pray with you and remind you of God’s truth when you’re struggling.

Here’s a practical tip that’s helped dozens of my clients: create a “God’s Truth” playlist. Fill it with worship songs that specifically speak about identity in Christ. Music has this amazing way of getting truth past our mental barriers. Some of my go-to recommendations are songs about being made in God’s image or being fully known and loved by Him. I listen to https://www.klove.com/ I downloaded the app so I can listen at home or in my truck, or anywhere from my phone.

Prayer journaling has been another game-changer in the healing process. But not just any prayer journaling – I use a specific format:

• Start with gratitude for specific body functions
• Move into confession of negative self-talk
• End with declaring God’s truths about your identity

Let’s talk about Wellness support groups for a minute. I cannot stress enough how important community is in the healing journey. When I first started leading Wellness groups, I noticed something fascinating – healing happened faster when people shared their struggles openly and prayed for each other specifically. There’s something powerful about hearing someone else pray Scripture over your specific body image struggles.

One thing that sometimes gets overlooked in faith-based recovery is the importance of celebrating small victories. Every time you choose to believe God’s truth over a negative thought? That’s worth celebrating! When you catch yourself speaking kindly about your body? Celebration time! These moments might seem small, but they’re actually huge steps in rewiring our thoughts to align with God’s perspective.

Remember, healing isn’t about reaching some perfect state of body acceptance. It’s about learning to see yourself through God’s eyes, one day at a time. Some days that’s easier than others, and that’s perfectly normal. The key is to keep coming back to the truth of Scripture, even when your feelings don’t line up with it yet.

And hey, if you’re struggling with this journey? Don’t be afraid to reach out for professional Christian counseling or Wellness help. There’s no shame in needing extra support – sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is admit we need help. After all, God often works through trained professionals to bring about His healing.

Thanks for reading.

WWR; Proverbs 3:5-6