Why your body size matters to God

Your body as a woman matters because you matter, every inch of you, to our Creator God who is familiar with every hair on your head; yet our culture’s stance on size is diametrically opposed to this truth.

It’s a revelation I’ve been growing into on a journey of self-acceptance, with God directing me through his words of affirmation in the Bible, enabling me to finally appreciate my shape with curves below but not above and buy clothes that flatter rather than batter (with tightness) my body.

For decades, we’ve allowed the fashion industry to dictate cultural and societal norms of what constitutes an attractive physique, often determined by those designing clothes to compliment an androgenous figure. To date, there hasn’t been sufficient opposition to stem the tide. Size matters in fashion in an exclusive and disparaging sense: that if you’re too curvaceous you won’t fit, quite literally, into your clothes.

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Sophie Dahl famously parted waters with her voluptuous curves in 1997 and although it challenged prejudices, it didn’t create enough of a wave as then in 2015 she strutted with a slender frame, deemed more acceptable on the catwalk.

Are these synthetic solutions carving out an aspirational plastic shape for women, like that which Mattel generated with Barbie?

Ozempic, a drug approved in 2017 to lower blood sugar levels for those with type 2 diabetes gained notoriety for startling side effects of weight loss. It swiftly became repositioned as injections for ‘FastTrack to Skinny’ mimicking a quick-fix Botox prick to un-wrinkle a face. Are these synthetic solutions carving out an aspirational plastic shape for women, like that which Mattel generated with Barbie?

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Paris fashionistas weren’t braced for the silicone breasts adorning a male model in a Duran Lantink collection last week; he claimed it was a statement of freedom. The shock ripples were evident in bursts of nervous laughter from onlookers. How could large breasts be taken seriously in a world where flat chests are applauded, and clothes are made to tailor such a form?

I was appalled when I saw the disconcerting picture, at first mistaking it for another Bianca Censori exploit, a display of coercion and intimidation. Upon inspection, I was concerned that a man wore these breasts, although it may have been more demeaning for a woman without such breast proportions to wear them, implying her natural size was deficient, something which I’ve been subject to in years when my breasts wouldn’t fill a bikini top allegedly for my size 10/12 frame. I felt somewhat lacking in that my proportions didn’t seem to fit the feminine standard prescribed by the fashion producers.

I’ve become comfortable with different measurements through learning to see myself as perfectly formed, and know that my breast is best for me.

In addition, creative directors have been switching allegiance throughout the fashion sphere, causing tremors that could be capitalised on to alter the ‘herd mentality’. I’ve become comfortable with different measurements through learning to see myself as perfectly formed, and know that my breast is best for me.

We’re each unique, yet there are seasons of life that create challenges common to all. Life is transitory, and it’s disconcerting to calculate hours spent sabotaging ourselves. Perimenopause can taunt us if unprepared for seemingly uncontrollable weight gain for some; it scorns a strict body submission approach by further ballooning. Having finally gained a sense of self, body confidence may dissolve with uncontrollable alterations.

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Trinny Woodall crafted a televised series to combat self-confidence issues, giving women permission to love their bodies - an initiation into another way of relating to themselves. Through working with these women, she witnessed life-altering outcomes.

Personally, I practice self-love by standing in front of the mirror, looking at my body (a recent revelation) and telling my body how much I am grateful for it and then thanking God for it, honouring his creation. As I do this, I feel his pleasure. My body responds to my voice and direction (as proven in science) and is enhanced. Each season has provided new opportunities to re-love my body.

Nigella Lawson was an excellent influencer in creating marvellous dishes that she plainly relished whilst celebrating her sumptuous curves. Each person who has been subjected to cultural conditioning, particularly in the West, would benefit from a re-education, one that’s founded on biblical truth. We’re made in the image of God, on purpose, with love. There is no hierarchy in heaven over such detail and there shouldn’t be one on earth. Let’s combat it together. Your breast is best for you. Truly loving our bodies is the ultimate liberation.