Lies Moms Believe (& How The Gospel Refutes Them)Намуна

There are many changes brought about by entering into motherhood which are hard to grow accustomed to. Perhaps the hardest to handle sometimes is the change in our bodies as a result of having babies. Postpartum body image is a real struggle for all of us at one time or another.

What I love about the gospel, however, is that it is oh so relevant even to this area of our mama lives! Isn't God good to provide us with an encouraging perspective for even this part of our mothering journey?

There are a few truths which are so helpful to remember when combatting the lie that our postpartum bodies "should" or "have to" look a certain way.

To begin with, God made us fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14); we are a masterpiece in the hands of a good and wise, creative and loving God, and stretch marks, saggy skin, and extra pounds could never change that.

Furthermore, our postpartum bodies are a daily reminder of God's love for us. Just as you can look at your stretch marks and scars and view them as a sign of your love for your children exhibited by your willingly giving up your very body for them, so, too, you can look at your scars as a tangible, daily reminder of the love of Christ for you. Christ has scars, too, and they are because of His infinite love for you, His child, which led Him to sacrifice His body and life on your behalf.

While our postpartum body struggles can also be a picture of the fall and how our bodies now get broken as a result of sin (Romans 8:20-25), they are ultimately able to be viewed as a picture of redemption, as well, not only pointing you to Christ and His scars, but also serving as a reminder of His amazing grace in the face of sin. In the midst of the fall and Adam and Eve's grave sin, God nevertheless promised continued life down through the ages which would ultimately result in the birth of a coming Savior who would redeem them for all time (Genesis 3:15). That's grace, my friend! That is amazing grace.

And that is truth that will enable you to face your postpartum body with admiration rather than disdain as it points you to the realities of the good news of the gospel and the gift of life.