For as long as I can remember, I have struggled to accept and love my body as it is. These Bible verses about body image have changed my mindset and transformed the way I accept myself as created by God.

Body Image and Weight Loss: My Story of Healing
For most of my life I was seriously overweight. From as young as 3 years old, I carried more pounds than were healthy and eventually as an adult, I was obese.
I gained and lost 100s of pounds over the years. When I started therapy for weight loss and accepted God’s compassion and grace for me, I lost the excess weight. I have now been maintaining for 15+ years.

Body image struggles are deeply real and personal for those of us with food and weight issues. If you are like me, it’s part of your daily routine to:
- Put yourself down
- Beat yourself up
- Consider hating your body as what you deserve.
You might think you can somehow guilt yourself thin, but the truth is that hate is not Godly and never leads to anything productive. Hate is from the enemy, Satan. This includes hating your body.
Through my weight loss journey, I’ve learned the importance of body acceptance. Rather than waiting until I get my body the way I want it, I’ve discovered that now is the time to accept the beautiful ME I am.

As a Christian, I am a forgiven child of God. He created me and does not want me continually putting myself down.
If you struggle with body image, please know that this is an area where God can transform you and bring freedom in ways you never imaged. God has so much good in store for you.
What Does God Say About Our Body?
The Bible has much to say about our bodies and their purpose. Please take the time to read the Bible verses about body image below to gain a deeper understanding of the wisdom of scripture in this area of your life.
FaithGateways says,
“When you say yes to God, accepting by faith what Jesus did for you and trusting His grace and forgiveness to save you, then God puts His Spirit inside you as a guarantee of your salvation. When God puts His Spirit inside you, your body becomes a temple of God, a residence for His love.
Rather than beating yourself up about your body, reflect on these Bible verses about respecting your body, which will guide you into letting go of physical insecurities and learning to love your body.
Top 5 Bible Verses about Positive Body Image
Read on for what the Scripture says about improving your body image with God’s help.
1. 1 Samuel 16:7 – Do not look on outward appearance. God looks at the heart.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
This verse is a great reminder that God doesn’t look on our outward appearance. Your heart is what matters. I think it’s important to point out here that the Bible doesn’t ignore our bodies, either. It’s not that your body doesn’t matter to God – it does.
Instead, we know that God doesn’t just look at our outward appearance but also sees deeper.
2. Psalm 139:14 – Fearfully and wonderfully made.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14
You are beautiful. You are one of God’s wonderful works. You are not faulty and nothing in your life is outside of the possibility of God’s healing.
Even if your body has been abused, hurt, or neglected, God can restore what has been broken.
3. Romans 12:2 – Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
I love this verse and the reminder to renew our minds regularly. When negative thoughts about our body image creep in, go to God’s word and renew your mind with thoughts of truth.
4. Ephesians 2:10 – You are God’s masterpiece.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10
Ephesians gives us another beautiful reminder of just how wonderful God thinks you are. He created you, and you are His masterpiece. The old has been made new, and you are transformed.
5. 1 Corinthians 6:19 – Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 1 Corinthians 6:19
1 Corinthians 6:19
Often, when I read this verse about my body being a temple of the Holy Spirit, I feel guilty. I haven’t done the best job of taking care of my body. Rather than using this verse as a way to beat yourself up, change your thoughts to use it as a beautiful encouragement. The Holy Spirit lives instead of you, and you are God’s temple.
5 Ways for a Christian Woman to Improve Her Body Image
If you struggle with accepting your body as a vessel of the Holy Spirit and beautifully made, take these steps to grow in faith and love for the body God’s given you.
- Focus on what your body can do. Instead of focusing on what you cannot do (“I can’t run a marathon” focus on what you can do. Can you pick up your grandkids? Enjoy a hobby? Praise God for these abilities.
- Read Bible Verses About Body Image. I highly encourage you to check out my post, 7 Christian Healthy Eating affirmations for Bible verses (and free printable cards) that will inspire you to treat your body well.
- Love the ways God created you unique. You are unique. What’s different about you? Instead of hiding it, celebrate it! Those are the features that make you stand out from the crowd.
- Surround yourself with people who love and support you. My husband has always told me I am beautiful, regardless of weight or size. This kind of loving encouragement goes a long way toward helping me feel amazing about myself.
- Treat yourself as you deserve to be treated. Think of how you treat your best friend and give yourself the same kind of love and attention. Don’t beat yourself down with words. Treasure small pleasures. Take time to shop, nap, or Bible journal. Enjoy what refreshes your spirit.

My friend, Heather Creekmore, has written a book called Compared to Who? that provides hope (plus a good dose of humor) for those struggling with body image.
Heather writes:
I’ve read lots of books on body image, insecurity, self-esteem–with lovely Christian authors who attack these issues and encourage women who desperately crave healing in this area.
Most of them helped me a little. Some, helped a lot. Others, didn’t help at all. But, generally, I never found answers satisfying enough to actually change my thinking. I still longed for more beauty and didn’t know how to stop that longing.
Heather Creekmore, Compared to Who?
Which Bible verses about your body resonate with you the most? What will you do today to improve your body image as a loved daughter of God? Share in the comments below.
More Posts about Christian Body Image That You Will Love
How to Banish Bad Body Thoughts – Learn the art of body acceptance and choose to embrace the body you have – even if it’s not the body you want.
Why You Can’t Guilt Yourself Thin – Do you feel guilty when you overeat? Should you feel guilty for being overweight? How about eating junk food, like chips and chocolate, that you know isn’t good for you? That was me, too, for years. Here’s how I turned it around.
7 Christian Healthy Eating Affirmations—Do you want to eat a healthier diet but struggle at times with making more positive food choices? During my process of losing 100 pounds, these 7 Christian healthy eating affirmations changed my thinking about food and my diet, and I believe they will be incredibly helpful for you as well.

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