Ep42 Your Body is a Gift: Body Image & Eating Disorders w/ Megan Lawrence, LAMFT

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?"
~ 1 Corinthians 6:19

"Why isn't my body different?"
"Why did God give me this particular body?"
"What if I feel frustrated by, or even hate, my own body?"

All of us have feelings & questions about the bodies that God has given us, and sometimes those feelings can become deep experiences of sadness, disgust, or shame; especially in a culture that idolizes only some appearances & body types. In this episode of This Whole Life, Kenna invites Megan Lawrence, LAMFT in that tender and crucial conversation to help shed light on the dark places of struggles with body image. Drawing on Megan's personal and clinical experience with eating disorders, they reflect on the meaning and purpose of the human body as God's gift for the good of his children. And informed by St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body, they propose a stance of non-judgment as a path toward acceptance of your body as the beautiful and definitive gift that it is.

Megan is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.  Megan approaches therapy through an attachment-based, trauma-informed lens, and is trained in EMDR.  She has specific experience within eating disorder recovery. Megan received bachelor degrees in Studio Art, Printmaking and Drawing, and Art History from Drake University.  While serving four years as a missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), Megan's passion deepened for accompanying others on their healing journey. She enjoys exploring art museums, thrift stores, and the outdoors.

Episode 42 Show Notes

If you or someone you love may be struggling with an eating disorder, please reach out for support. The National Eating Disorders Association is a great place to start.

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
10:45: Understanding body image & eating disorders
26:36: The power of the Theology of the Body
39:15: Gratitude for the body & acceptance of the body
50:08: Challenge By Choice

Questions for Reflection & Discussion:

1. What is one thing that is sticking with you from this episode?
2. What feelings do you have about discussing body image & your own body?
3. When have you had a difficult time seeing your body as a good & valuable gift from God? What experiences led to those difficulties?
4. Do you see the value of your body in its appearance (the way it looks), in its function (in what it can do), or as a gift (the simple fact that God gave it to you)?
5. How does God see & value your body? What do you imagine God wants you to know about your body?

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.