Story of Victory: Getting the Perfect Beach Body

This is the first "Story of Victory" post. These posts will highlight a person, song, video or news story that relates to victory living through Christ. Today's topic relates to beach bodies.

It's that time of year-- swimsuit season! Sure, there might still be snow on the ground, but plenty of people are headed to warmer climates for their spring breaks. While perusing Facebook today, I found a video that made me take a moment to consider self-image and what society portrays as being the "perfect" body. Check it out:

http://youtu.be/zRlpIkH3b5I

Crazy results, right? Photoshop did wonders and was a whole lot easier than dieting, exercise, and taking care of one's body. The disappointment, however, was that the women participating in the modeling shoot did not even feel like the finished product looked like themselves. There was nothing unique, special or noteworthy besides the fact that they looked like cover models. 

Yet those are the standards many work towards as they approach swimsuit season. 

In this video, I think the victorious moment was the women coming to accept their bodies as precious, just the way they are. Take that a step farther and apply this to your life-- are you content with who you are in Christ?

Instead of working towards an unrealistic beach body or model-like appearance, here is some scripture to guide you in setting some healthy, holy, and realistic goals:

"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." 

-1 Timothy 2:9-10

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 

-1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 

-2 Corinthians 7:1

According to these verses, rather than pursuing life in a body that is seen as "perfect" by society, we should be seeking to have bodies and minds that honor God. Setting goals focused on looking good, rather than on taking care of the body Christ has given us, is a trap to fall into the ways  of this world. I pray that this spring break, God pushes us to see our bodies the way He sees them-- as a precious gift, a temple of the Holy Spirit, for showing His goodness and for behaving in purity and holiness.