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Beautiful Freedom: How the Bible Shapes Your View of Appearance, Food, and Fitness
Explore God’s priorities for the way you live, eat, and exercise.
Every day we are exposed to messages about health, food, exercise, and looking good. It's hard not to get swept along with it all; in fact, it’s easy to end up caring too much about these things and even to feel trapped trying to live up to the ideals that we see in the media.
Author Stacy Reaoch points you to the Bible to find freedom! The Bible tells us that our physical selves do matter. But it also invites us to think about our bodies in a God-centered way—helping us to reset and find a balanced approach that is grounded in our faith.
Beautiful Freedom is an invitation to love the body God gave you and to explore his priorities for the ways in which you live, eat, and exercise.
This book will help you find freedom from damaging narratives about weight, fitness, appearance, and aging. Even better, it will turn your gaze toward Jesus and help you love him more and more.
Every day we are exposed to messages about health, food, exercise, and looking good. It's hard not to get swept along with it all; in fact, it’s easy to end up caring too much about these things and even to feel trapped trying to live up to the ideals that we see in the media.
Author Stacy Reaoch points you to the Bible to find freedom! The Bible tells us that our physical selves do matter. But it also invites us to think about our bodies in a God-centered way—helping us to reset and find a balanced approach that is grounded in our faith.
Beautiful Freedom is an invitation to love the body God gave you and to explore his priorities for the ways in which you live, eat, and exercise.
This book will help you find freedom from damaging narratives about weight, fitness, appearance, and aging. Even better, it will turn your gaze toward Jesus and help you love him more and more.
- GenresChristian
Audible Audio
First published May 1, 2024
28 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Stacy Reaoch
5 books4 followersStacy Reaoch is a pastor's wife, mother of four, author and speaker. She's passionate about studying the Bible and helping women apply Gospel truths to daily life through Bible study, discipleship and writing. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Ben. Together they serve Three Rivers Grace Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Stacy's writing has been featured on Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition and Revive Our Hearts. When Stacy is not running her children to various activities, she can be found dancing, eating chocolate, or reading.
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July 20, 2024
"We’ll be equipped to really examine our motivations— why do we eat the way we do? Why do we exercise, or not exercise? Why are we inclined to go to great lengths to look a few years younger? Why do we have this tendency or that tendency? And crucially, where is God calling us into something better? In what ways is he inviting us into freedom?”
I’ve realized lately that now, post-four-kids, I’ve thought more about my weight, the size of my clothes, my eating and exercising habits than I ever did before. My body has changed. For a good reason. But I need to reorient the way I view this change because I’m being bombarded with a lot of different opinions about how that view should be formed and I know many of those are unhealthy.
When I saw this book I knew it would be a good thing for me to read. Having finished it, I can confirm that was correct. I think any woman would benefit from reading this book.
It’s a hard book to write and I commend Stacy for taking it on. It’s difficult not to approach it wanting or expecting some hard line answers on what is right or wrong to eat or drink and how to exercise. I’m sure there will be readers unsatisfied with the book because they don’t feel like they got any ‘answers’ or a yellow brick road guiding them to fulfillment.
We also probably all come to the book with some sort of guilt that we’d like alleviated by realizing- ‘Oh I’m not doing that bad thing so what I’m doing is fine.’ And maybe it is totally fine, but this book will only be helpful if we come to honestly evaluate ourselves and our own motivations for what we do.
Even though I come away from the book still feeling a little disoriented on what my eating and exercising should look like, I don’t think Stacy left me hanging. I think she has provided the biblical and appropriate blueprint for viewing our bodies and our habits. We have to put in some work to do some honest self reflection and questioning of our motives and choices and decide what God is calling us to. It may not be an immediate lightbulb moment, but what she puts forth in this book is true and there is some freedom and diversity in how these principles get applied to our individual lives.
After reflecting on the concept of beauty itself, Stacy asks us whose kingdom we are seeking. This is a key question. Is our focus heavenward and eternal or inward and earthly?
The second part of her book covers four main areas: exercise; food restrictions; overindulgence; and beauty and aging.
She also includes an appendix about disordered eating. It’s important to note that this book is not tackling eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia, etc. Struggles to that degree will most likely require some specialized help that Stacy is not offering in these pages.
The main point Stacy makes is that any good thing can turn into a bad thing if it becomes an idol or a replacement of God.
“Idols are the thoughts, desires, longing, and expectations that we worship in the place of the true God. Idols cause us to ignore the true God in search of what we think we need.” [she quotes Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods]
Do we go first to food or exercise for comfort instead of allowing God to meet our needs?
Have we become obsessed with our bodies and our appearance or the food we eat? Are our thoughts and days consumed with trying clothes on, make-up and skin care routines, particular meal planning, diet research, and exercising?
It’s not that caring about our appearance or what we put in our bodies or what we do with our bodies is bad. Our bodies matter and what we do with them matters. But our motives matter too. It’s less about the diet and the exercise as much as it is about the heart behind it.
I think this is especially an important book to think about if you have kids. They observe the way we act and talk about ourselves, the comments we make when we look in the mirror or look at other people’s bodies. We need to be sending the right message.
After four kids, and my last two being twins that required a C-section, I developed diastasis recti which essentially makes me still look pregnant because I have no abs. Kids speak their minds and my stomach is often the topic of conversation: ‘Do you have a baby in there? Why is your stomach so big? You’re a big mommy! Look how big your tummy is!’ It gets tricky with teaching them about what we do or do not say about people’s bodies without also somehow indicating that there is a ‘right’ shape of what a body should look like.
I think it’s important for my daughters to see that having kids does change your body. And that’s not a bad thing. We don’t need to hide the evidence that we carried and delivered children. Being pregnant and having a child is a gift and a sacrifice. It’s not something to lament because it means I have to buy bigger jeans now.
My 7 year old is already very interested in make-up and fashion. I see her watching older girls and taking in what they’re wearing and what they look like. She already equates make-up with beauty. It starts young and we need to be prepared to communicate biblical truths about appearance to our kids because our culture can’t help but ingratiate us with a standard for beauty that is really hard to detach from.
Stacy rightly warns us that while ‘obsession’ is a ditch we should avoid, so too is ‘apathy.’ In order to avoid obsession we can’t just swing the pendulum the complete opposite direction and say that none of it matters and freedom means we just do whatever we want. Self-control is still a fruit of the Spirit. Our bodies are still temples and something God gave us to steward rightly.
We have to find that middle ground. And it’s not easy.
I have friends throughout the whole spectrum of eating and exercise. Friends who are very disciplined in training. Friends who are very conscious about food and doing a variety of diets. There are no carb diets, organic diets, avoiding red-dyes or processed foods. Heavy on meat. Low on fruit. High in vegetables. Cutting out sugar. No meat at all. All natural. All convenience.
I love and respect all my friends and their choices. But where does that leave me? It’s hard not to feel like there is one way to do it and I have to figure out which friend figured out the secret recipe to Christian living and eating and exercising. If we do it differently does that mean I’m doing it wrong??
Generally speaking, I think it’s created disunity in the church and in our friendships because we recognize the differences in people’s lifestyles and we don’t know what to do about it. Especially if the reasons for our choices feel really important. If something works for us or helps us we want to share it with others- Have you tried this? This will help you lose weight! This will help you feel better! This promotes gut health! Spread the good news! It’s only natural. Reasons could be physical, mental, political, fundamental, scientific, etc. and we want to inform others and help others.
We aren’t all on the same page and it feels uncomfortable.
But the Bible tells us that what we put into our bodies is not what makes us unclean. Eating food with red dye or preservatives does not make us bad people. Cutting sugar out of our diet doesn’t make us bad people. Eating fast food for dinner doesn’t make us bad people.
Food is not a moral category.
The Bible does talk about overindulgence and drunkenness so I think there are a few lines we can draw but overall we need to allow others to do things differently. You can bake sourdough bread to the glory of God and you can buy white bread from the store to the glory of God. We can also make choices to feel superior to be selfish or to be spiteful. Our motivation is important.
There is no list of do’s and dont’s here. To some degree I think I was looking for that because I want it to be simple. I just want to do the RIGHT thing. But I think that just means I need to sit with it more.
I think it would help us to talk about it with friends and see if you can pinpoint what exactly bothers you and why. See if you can determine how you truly view food and exercise. I think it’s also good to recognize where you are making good choices for good reasons. This is not an all or nothing book. Celebrate your successes and work on other parts. That’s honest.
I would definitely recommend this book because I think this concept is super relevant and would help us as a church body and in our individual relationships to find freedom from the world’s standard of beauty or from the pressures of thinking there is a ‘biblical’ diet.
I think this is an important book for Christian women to read so we can stop playing the comparison/judging/self-deprecating game.
I wonder if this book would be more effective if it was read in a group of women because I think there is some processing that needs to happen and dialogue with a friend to think through some of these things.
At the same time, I think reading this book in a group could have its challenges and may create deeper divisions if the conversation gets hung up in the wrong places in an attempt to be prescriptive or persuasive.
Be wise in the group you read it with, but at the very least, share your thoughts with a trusted friend and explore how you think God may be calling you in your own life.
Stay focused on what your motivations are and how you can best serve Christ. Consider what messages you may be sending to your family and friends. Make choices that keep God in lordship of your life and your help in times of struggle. Those are the areas I think this book is meant to speak into. Carbs, dyes, sugars, cross-fit, treadmills, anti-aging creams, and mascara are secondary.
“Instead of obsessing over our physical appearance or being apathetic, we can lean into the Lord for godly wisdom and self-discipline. We can look for ways to be thankful for how God created us, and we can care for our physical selves in a way that enables us to serve others. The efforts we make to strengthen our muscles, to rest, to eat nourishing foods, to offer hospitality, and to forgo our preferences for the sake of others can all be signs of the Spirit of God dwelling inside of us.”
**Received a copy of this book from The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | StoryGraph
I’ve realized lately that now, post-four-kids, I’ve thought more about my weight, the size of my clothes, my eating and exercising habits than I ever did before. My body has changed. For a good reason. But I need to reorient the way I view this change because I’m being bombarded with a lot of different opinions about how that view should be formed and I know many of those are unhealthy.
When I saw this book I knew it would be a good thing for me to read. Having finished it, I can confirm that was correct. I think any woman would benefit from reading this book.
It’s a hard book to write and I commend Stacy for taking it on. It’s difficult not to approach it wanting or expecting some hard line answers on what is right or wrong to eat or drink and how to exercise. I’m sure there will be readers unsatisfied with the book because they don’t feel like they got any ‘answers’ or a yellow brick road guiding them to fulfillment.
We also probably all come to the book with some sort of guilt that we’d like alleviated by realizing- ‘Oh I’m not doing that bad thing so what I’m doing is fine.’ And maybe it is totally fine, but this book will only be helpful if we come to honestly evaluate ourselves and our own motivations for what we do.
Even though I come away from the book still feeling a little disoriented on what my eating and exercising should look like, I don’t think Stacy left me hanging. I think she has provided the biblical and appropriate blueprint for viewing our bodies and our habits. We have to put in some work to do some honest self reflection and questioning of our motives and choices and decide what God is calling us to. It may not be an immediate lightbulb moment, but what she puts forth in this book is true and there is some freedom and diversity in how these principles get applied to our individual lives.
After reflecting on the concept of beauty itself, Stacy asks us whose kingdom we are seeking. This is a key question. Is our focus heavenward and eternal or inward and earthly?
The second part of her book covers four main areas: exercise; food restrictions; overindulgence; and beauty and aging.
She also includes an appendix about disordered eating. It’s important to note that this book is not tackling eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia, etc. Struggles to that degree will most likely require some specialized help that Stacy is not offering in these pages.
The main point Stacy makes is that any good thing can turn into a bad thing if it becomes an idol or a replacement of God.
“Idols are the thoughts, desires, longing, and expectations that we worship in the place of the true God. Idols cause us to ignore the true God in search of what we think we need.” [she quotes Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods]
Do we go first to food or exercise for comfort instead of allowing God to meet our needs?
Have we become obsessed with our bodies and our appearance or the food we eat? Are our thoughts and days consumed with trying clothes on, make-up and skin care routines, particular meal planning, diet research, and exercising?
It’s not that caring about our appearance or what we put in our bodies or what we do with our bodies is bad. Our bodies matter and what we do with them matters. But our motives matter too. It’s less about the diet and the exercise as much as it is about the heart behind it.
I think this is especially an important book to think about if you have kids. They observe the way we act and talk about ourselves, the comments we make when we look in the mirror or look at other people’s bodies. We need to be sending the right message.
After four kids, and my last two being twins that required a C-section, I developed diastasis recti which essentially makes me still look pregnant because I have no abs. Kids speak their minds and my stomach is often the topic of conversation: ‘Do you have a baby in there? Why is your stomach so big? You’re a big mommy! Look how big your tummy is!’ It gets tricky with teaching them about what we do or do not say about people’s bodies without also somehow indicating that there is a ‘right’ shape of what a body should look like.
I think it’s important for my daughters to see that having kids does change your body. And that’s not a bad thing. We don’t need to hide the evidence that we carried and delivered children. Being pregnant and having a child is a gift and a sacrifice. It’s not something to lament because it means I have to buy bigger jeans now.
My 7 year old is already very interested in make-up and fashion. I see her watching older girls and taking in what they’re wearing and what they look like. She already equates make-up with beauty. It starts young and we need to be prepared to communicate biblical truths about appearance to our kids because our culture can’t help but ingratiate us with a standard for beauty that is really hard to detach from.
Stacy rightly warns us that while ‘obsession’ is a ditch we should avoid, so too is ‘apathy.’ In order to avoid obsession we can’t just swing the pendulum the complete opposite direction and say that none of it matters and freedom means we just do whatever we want. Self-control is still a fruit of the Spirit. Our bodies are still temples and something God gave us to steward rightly.
We have to find that middle ground. And it’s not easy.
I have friends throughout the whole spectrum of eating and exercise. Friends who are very disciplined in training. Friends who are very conscious about food and doing a variety of diets. There are no carb diets, organic diets, avoiding red-dyes or processed foods. Heavy on meat. Low on fruit. High in vegetables. Cutting out sugar. No meat at all. All natural. All convenience.
I love and respect all my friends and their choices. But where does that leave me? It’s hard not to feel like there is one way to do it and I have to figure out which friend figured out the secret recipe to Christian living and eating and exercising. If we do it differently does that mean I’m doing it wrong??
Generally speaking, I think it’s created disunity in the church and in our friendships because we recognize the differences in people’s lifestyles and we don’t know what to do about it. Especially if the reasons for our choices feel really important. If something works for us or helps us we want to share it with others- Have you tried this? This will help you lose weight! This will help you feel better! This promotes gut health! Spread the good news! It’s only natural. Reasons could be physical, mental, political, fundamental, scientific, etc. and we want to inform others and help others.
We aren’t all on the same page and it feels uncomfortable.
But the Bible tells us that what we put into our bodies is not what makes us unclean. Eating food with red dye or preservatives does not make us bad people. Cutting sugar out of our diet doesn’t make us bad people. Eating fast food for dinner doesn’t make us bad people.
Food is not a moral category.
The Bible does talk about overindulgence and drunkenness so I think there are a few lines we can draw but overall we need to allow others to do things differently. You can bake sourdough bread to the glory of God and you can buy white bread from the store to the glory of God. We can also make choices to feel superior to be selfish or to be spiteful. Our motivation is important.
There is no list of do’s and dont’s here. To some degree I think I was looking for that because I want it to be simple. I just want to do the RIGHT thing. But I think that just means I need to sit with it more.
I think it would help us to talk about it with friends and see if you can pinpoint what exactly bothers you and why. See if you can determine how you truly view food and exercise. I think it’s also good to recognize where you are making good choices for good reasons. This is not an all or nothing book. Celebrate your successes and work on other parts. That’s honest.
I would definitely recommend this book because I think this concept is super relevant and would help us as a church body and in our individual relationships to find freedom from the world’s standard of beauty or from the pressures of thinking there is a ‘biblical’ diet.
I think this is an important book for Christian women to read so we can stop playing the comparison/judging/self-deprecating game.
I wonder if this book would be more effective if it was read in a group of women because I think there is some processing that needs to happen and dialogue with a friend to think through some of these things.
At the same time, I think reading this book in a group could have its challenges and may create deeper divisions if the conversation gets hung up in the wrong places in an attempt to be prescriptive or persuasive.
Be wise in the group you read it with, but at the very least, share your thoughts with a trusted friend and explore how you think God may be calling you in your own life.
Stay focused on what your motivations are and how you can best serve Christ. Consider what messages you may be sending to your family and friends. Make choices that keep God in lordship of your life and your help in times of struggle. Those are the areas I think this book is meant to speak into. Carbs, dyes, sugars, cross-fit, treadmills, anti-aging creams, and mascara are secondary.
“Instead of obsessing over our physical appearance or being apathetic, we can lean into the Lord for godly wisdom and self-discipline. We can look for ways to be thankful for how God created us, and we can care for our physical selves in a way that enables us to serve others. The efforts we make to strengthen our muscles, to rest, to eat nourishing foods, to offer hospitality, and to forgo our preferences for the sake of others can all be signs of the Spirit of God dwelling inside of us.”
**Received a copy of this book from The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | StoryGraph
April 18, 2024
This book is written specifically for Christian women and covers areas where women tend to struggle, mostly related to appearance and performance, and determines to point women to the freedom that they have in Christ.
This is a short and easy read that does offer a lot of encouragement to the reader. I did wish that parts were a bit deeper with more theology and more Scripture included in the discussion. I felt that this book read a bit like a blog post and probably could have easily been condensed into a blog post, but I did really enjoy it. I was able to read it in just a few mornings and appreciated the reminders that my worth and identity flow from Christ and not from how I look, how much I weigh, whether I worked out or not, how I’m aging, or what my diet looks like today. Whew, that IS beautiful and freeing!
If you’re looking for extra encouragement in this area, this book might be helpful for you.
Thank you to the publisher, @thegoodbookcompanyusa, for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a short and easy read that does offer a lot of encouragement to the reader. I did wish that parts were a bit deeper with more theology and more Scripture included in the discussion. I felt that this book read a bit like a blog post and probably could have easily been condensed into a blog post, but I did really enjoy it. I was able to read it in just a few mornings and appreciated the reminders that my worth and identity flow from Christ and not from how I look, how much I weigh, whether I worked out or not, how I’m aging, or what my diet looks like today. Whew, that IS beautiful and freeing!
If you’re looking for extra encouragement in this area, this book might be helpful for you.
Thank you to the publisher, @thegoodbookcompanyusa, for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2024
“Ultimate joy is found in the presence of God, not in losing twenty pounds or in gaining a sweet sensation in our mouths. When we shift our minds to an eternal perspective, the goals of our life change. And when we care for our bodies, use them for God’s glory, and trust him with the results, that’s when freedom is found.”
——————
Here is a book I wish I could give to younger me! Younger me who was insecure at school and labeled as chubby— who would eventually become hyper focused on losing weight and diet programs!
This is an encouraging and refreshing read for women of all ages. Because we live in a world obsessed with looking younger and thinner and a culture that is driven by beauty and image— this book’s message is so crucial!
Taking a look at the Bible and what God’s truth teaches about taking care of our temples (bodies) and outward appearances— Stacy Reaoch breaks down such topics such as exercise, food restrictions/overindulgence, beauty and aging. Within this book, the author invites the reader to rest and reset from complicated relationships we may find ourselves in with these issues and to instead discover joy, balance and freedom.
I enjoyed this timely book and know it will be a beacon of hope to women who read it. As believers, our worth is found in Christ and we are invited to trust God with all our concerns and worries, including those of our bodies and image!
I would definitely pass this on to my daughter, sister, teens and so on. It is a shorter length book and easy to read.
April 17, 2025
Loved this little practical book for women about how we can view our bodies, fitness, nutrition, and aging in light of Scripture instead of the world view. It offers simple ways to bring balance into some of these areas that we may find ourselves unbalanced in because we have lost sight of Gods redeeming words about it. Highly recommend for all ages, teen and up. I wish I could have read something like this when I was younger.
June 1, 2024
In the Introduction, the author shares: “My prayer for you, as you read this book, is that God will grant you new eyes to see your body the way he sees it—as a gift to enjoy and to steward for his glory. I hope that you will start to find freedom from the fears and concerns that weigh you down, and confidence in his sovereign work that knitted you together. And I pray that you will be inspired to love God more. Our Creator is the true source of beauty—fixing our hope on him will never disappoint.”
I love the heart behind her prayer, and I love that Beautiful Freedom is a book that invites women to trust God with all their bodily concerns and to walk in the freedom and joy that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
I also appreciate the questions at the end of each chapter; the stories that she shares throughout—her own as well as others—that most women can relate to or empathize with; how she clearly presents the gospel and all throughout points her readers’ eyes to God; and the chapters where she presents what the Bible says about exercise, food restrictions, overindulgence, and beauty and aging.
Where this book falls short for me is in depth. Though the author does share biblical wisdom and truth, there were times when I wished she would have delved deeper into what the Word says and fleshed out some of her statements more.
Overall, I believe there are some good truths and nuggets of wisdom for women to walk away with.
✨ Thank you, The Good Book Company, for my copy of Beautiful Freedom in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫 / 3.25 stars (rounded down)
I love the heart behind her prayer, and I love that Beautiful Freedom is a book that invites women to trust God with all their bodily concerns and to walk in the freedom and joy that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
I also appreciate the questions at the end of each chapter; the stories that she shares throughout—her own as well as others—that most women can relate to or empathize with; how she clearly presents the gospel and all throughout points her readers’ eyes to God; and the chapters where she presents what the Bible says about exercise, food restrictions, overindulgence, and beauty and aging.
Where this book falls short for me is in depth. Though the author does share biblical wisdom and truth, there were times when I wished she would have delved deeper into what the Word says and fleshed out some of her statements more.
Overall, I believe there are some good truths and nuggets of wisdom for women to walk away with.
✨ Thank you, The Good Book Company, for my copy of Beautiful Freedom in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫 / 3.25 stars (rounded down)
May 14, 2024
A quick read which helpfully framed the topics of appearance, diet & exercise, and aging.
(Though taking 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 out of context was one issue I had with the book)
But overall, I was challenged to think biblically about my appearance; the topic of beauty pointed back to how God views it (the more we look like Jesus, the more beautiful we are).
The best chapter was “A Biblical View on Food Restriction.” Our modern day “food individualism” can separate us as believers and prevent us from fellowship with one another. But God designed food to bring His people together, not to be a wedge between us based on our preferences.
I also appreciated her comments on how Christians can sometimes over-emphasize diet and exercise. When nutrition and exercise become our means of control (instead of trusting God), we’ve turned these good gifts into enslaving idols.
A helpful introduction to a very big topic, especially for an image-obsessed American culture. In many ways the American church has also fallen prey to it.
(Though taking 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 out of context was one issue I had with the book)
But overall, I was challenged to think biblically about my appearance; the topic of beauty pointed back to how God views it (the more we look like Jesus, the more beautiful we are).
The best chapter was “A Biblical View on Food Restriction.” Our modern day “food individualism” can separate us as believers and prevent us from fellowship with one another. But God designed food to bring His people together, not to be a wedge between us based on our preferences.
I also appreciated her comments on how Christians can sometimes over-emphasize diet and exercise. When nutrition and exercise become our means of control (instead of trusting God), we’ve turned these good gifts into enslaving idols.
A helpful introduction to a very big topic, especially for an image-obsessed American culture. In many ways the American church has also fallen prey to it.
February 3, 2025
Highly recommend! Gives you a whole new outlook on body image, food and exercise!
April 18, 2024
This book is written specifically for Christian women. Stacy makes a case to readers how we can glorify God with our bodies and that they are in fact a gift from God. There is freedom in letting the stress of finding the"right" diet go and focusing on Christ.
She briefly mentions the gospel throughout, but not very clearly. One of her statements she made I disliked as it could be misleading. "God doesn't give us what we deserve, but instead covers us in the precious blood of Christ, seeing us as righteous even when we're far from it."
God doesn't just cover up our sin and see us as righteous even though we arn't. He literally clothes us in Christ's righteousness and Christ took on God’s wrath for our sake. He doesn't cover up our sin. He makes things right. I am assuming she didn't mean that in that way and I could be nit picking, but I felt like the gospel wasn't concisely and clearly portrayed in this book.
She had one comment about yoga in the beginning that bothered me. We have Christian liberty and that is a lot of what this book is about in the area of what we eat and what exercises we do. But...if a form of exercise is connected to a spiritual ritual of worship to pegan gods, like yoga... how can it be glorifying to God? I would have loved for her to address these kinds of issues. Her comment made me thing she doesn't see anything wrong with yoga or is aware of its pegan roots.
Another statement was concerning to me, "Our struggles might be embedded in low self-esteem or compounded by mental illness". This was one of the reasons given for struggles with body image. Low-self esteem is a modern concept that I dislike. Our problem tends to be that we think to much of ourselves and hold onto pride and self pity. It isn't biblical. We are to be humble and think of ourselves less and look to Christ.
Overall, this book had some good stuff to say, but it was nothing new to me and I disliked some of it.
She briefly mentions the gospel throughout, but not very clearly. One of her statements she made I disliked as it could be misleading. "God doesn't give us what we deserve, but instead covers us in the precious blood of Christ, seeing us as righteous even when we're far from it."
God doesn't just cover up our sin and see us as righteous even though we arn't. He literally clothes us in Christ's righteousness and Christ took on God’s wrath for our sake. He doesn't cover up our sin. He makes things right. I am assuming she didn't mean that in that way and I could be nit picking, but I felt like the gospel wasn't concisely and clearly portrayed in this book.
She had one comment about yoga in the beginning that bothered me. We have Christian liberty and that is a lot of what this book is about in the area of what we eat and what exercises we do. But...if a form of exercise is connected to a spiritual ritual of worship to pegan gods, like yoga... how can it be glorifying to God? I would have loved for her to address these kinds of issues. Her comment made me thing she doesn't see anything wrong with yoga or is aware of its pegan roots.
Another statement was concerning to me, "Our struggles might be embedded in low self-esteem or compounded by mental illness". This was one of the reasons given for struggles with body image. Low-self esteem is a modern concept that I dislike. Our problem tends to be that we think to much of ourselves and hold onto pride and self pity. It isn't biblical. We are to be humble and think of ourselves less and look to Christ.
Overall, this book had some good stuff to say, but it was nothing new to me and I disliked some of it.
May 18, 2024
This book is overall good. I disagreed with Stacey’s view on gluttony and fasting and was only partially in agreement with what she said about fitness, as I could see some of it being difficult for people in active eating disorder recovery who are on exercise restriction. 90% of the book I loved and think this is a great resource overall!
December 28, 2024
Great reflection and diagnostic questions woven throughout the chapters to help you determine if food, fitness, aging, etc have become idols in your life. So many pages I highlighted or folded over to come back to in years ahead. The chapter on food restrictions and overindulging were really helpful for me.
May 13, 2024
Beautiful Freedom is the latest book by author and pastor’s wife, Stacy Reaoch. This book helps women gain a biblical understanding of what it looks like to walk in freedom in the areas of appearance, fitness, and food. As one who’s wrestled with wanting to honor God in all of these areas, I found Beautiful Freedom incredibly helpful. Reading the book was so timely for me because as I began it, I endured the worst stomach virus I’ve ever experienced. While I aim to exercise thirty minutes a day, five days a week, the book was a helpful reminder that there are times when rest needs to be the priority.
Even with exercising consistently, a battle has been birthed in my heart between wanting to lose weight to alter my appearance to what the world deems desirable and wanting to steward my health as an act of worship. I’ve had to remind myself that when it comes to my health, success looks like faithfulness, not results. I felt like Stacy’s words were helping me by reminding me that the ultimate aim of all I do related to appearance, fitness, and food ought to be an act of worship.
Beautiful Freedom is a great resource for women wanting to cultivate a balance between what’s external and what’s eternal. It is full of reminders of the gospel and often points readers back to who they are in Christ. The book is short coming in at just 129 making it perfect to read individually or as a group. Each chapter concludes with questions for discussion that are also helpful to consider individually or in a group setting. If you are a Christian woman who’s struggled with finding a biblical way to relate to appearance, food, and fitness, I highly recommend reading Beautiful Freedom.
Even with exercising consistently, a battle has been birthed in my heart between wanting to lose weight to alter my appearance to what the world deems desirable and wanting to steward my health as an act of worship. I’ve had to remind myself that when it comes to my health, success looks like faithfulness, not results. I felt like Stacy’s words were helping me by reminding me that the ultimate aim of all I do related to appearance, fitness, and food ought to be an act of worship.
Beautiful Freedom is a great resource for women wanting to cultivate a balance between what’s external and what’s eternal. It is full of reminders of the gospel and often points readers back to who they are in Christ. The book is short coming in at just 129 making it perfect to read individually or as a group. Each chapter concludes with questions for discussion that are also helpful to consider individually or in a group setting. If you are a Christian woman who’s struggled with finding a biblical way to relate to appearance, food, and fitness, I highly recommend reading Beautiful Freedom.
April 27, 2024
Stacy's Beautiful Freedom is an easy and refreshing read. She offers biblical truths and encouragement for those who might feel worried or concerned about their bodies, food and exercise routines (which is probably a lot of us!). She takes us back to God's word for insight in these areas, and how it is actually freeing as we understand it with an eternal perspective. I also appreciate the questions after each chapter to discuss or reflect.
As I age each day, I am reminded and challenged to enjoy food and exercise in a God-honouring and outward-looking way. I am encouraged to give thanks for and be clothed with confidence a body that had come with a great cost rather than resting my eyes on wrinkle-free skin and a tight tummy. This is a book I would share with any older and younger sisters - I'm also keeping this copy for my own daughters!
Thank you to The Good Book Company for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
As I age each day, I am reminded and challenged to enjoy food and exercise in a God-honouring and outward-looking way. I am encouraged to give thanks for and be clothed with confidence a body that had come with a great cost rather than resting my eyes on wrinkle-free skin and a tight tummy. This is a book I would share with any older and younger sisters - I'm also keeping this copy for my own daughters!
Thank you to The Good Book Company for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 30, 2024
Such a wonderful encouragement to align our perspective of food, aging, and fitness with Scripture! We are bombarded with so many false ideas about beauty in the world around us, and this book is full of wisdom—reminding us of the beautiful freedom we have in Christ.
May 21, 2024
In this concise, thoughtful book, Stacy Reaoch explores tough topics about body image, food, and exercise through a biblical lens. She encourages Christian women to exchange negative cultural messages for the truth of Scripture, and she writes about ways that women can avoid the traps of obsession and apathy to care for their bodies in ways that honor God as their Creator. In the first part of the book, Reaoch gives examples of common struggles that women have, and she writes about how a biblical perspective on beauty and our true purpose can flip the script. In the second part of the book, she explores biblical approaches to exercise, food restrictions, overindulgence, spiritual practices of fasting, and aging. There is also an appendix that includes more information about eating disorders, along with recommended next steps for getting help.
This book covers multiple topics in a helpful, holistic way. I appreciate how the author shares examples from her own life and women she knows, representing a variety of different viewpoints and struggles. This book doesn't make harsh or oversimplified judgments, and acknowledges some of the varying motivations and reasons behind people's different approaches to food and exercise. Reaoch encourages people to pursue the eating and exercise habits that are right for their body and circumstances, as long as they are submitting all of this to God and not looking to their health habits to provide them with their identity, their meaning in life, or a form of salvation. Even though some readers will disagree with the author on various things, she is deliberately nuanced and makes space for people's different health needs and personal convictions.
Beautiful Freedom is a great primer and conversation-starter about an important topic, and because the author includes reflection and discussion questions at the end of each chapter, this will be great for people to read individually, in study groups, or in partnership with a friend or mentor. This will appeal to Christian women and teenage girls who are interested in thinking more deeply about how their Christian faith relates to their body image, food choices, and exercise practices. Also, even though Reoach wrote this for a female audience, she acknowledges that men and boys often struggle with the same things, and some men could find this helpful as well. Overall, I would recommend this to people who recognize a need for growth in this area, or who want to better understand and support loved ones in their struggles.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book covers multiple topics in a helpful, holistic way. I appreciate how the author shares examples from her own life and women she knows, representing a variety of different viewpoints and struggles. This book doesn't make harsh or oversimplified judgments, and acknowledges some of the varying motivations and reasons behind people's different approaches to food and exercise. Reaoch encourages people to pursue the eating and exercise habits that are right for their body and circumstances, as long as they are submitting all of this to God and not looking to their health habits to provide them with their identity, their meaning in life, or a form of salvation. Even though some readers will disagree with the author on various things, she is deliberately nuanced and makes space for people's different health needs and personal convictions.
Beautiful Freedom is a great primer and conversation-starter about an important topic, and because the author includes reflection and discussion questions at the end of each chapter, this will be great for people to read individually, in study groups, or in partnership with a friend or mentor. This will appeal to Christian women and teenage girls who are interested in thinking more deeply about how their Christian faith relates to their body image, food choices, and exercise practices. Also, even though Reoach wrote this for a female audience, she acknowledges that men and boys often struggle with the same things, and some men could find this helpful as well. Overall, I would recommend this to people who recognize a need for growth in this area, or who want to better understand and support loved ones in their struggles.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2024
What does the Bible have to say about beauty? In Beautiful Freedom, Stacy Reoach shows how the Bible shapes our views of appearance, food, and fitness.
Fitness, Health, and Beauty
A small, short book at less than 150 pages – it is a quick and encouraging read. As Christians, our approach to fitness, health, and beauty needs to be different.
In defining beauty, Reaoch begins by helping us understand that when we think about God’s beauty, it comes down to his character. Christians reflect God’s beauty to others. Reoach uses the story of Ruth to show that true beauty is displayed through our hearts.
Remaining Happy in Christ
Some worship our own bodies, and this is worship gone wrong. And unlike our bodies, only God’s kingdom will last. That being said, rest and exercise are still ways to care for our own bodies and serve others well.
Motivations for exercise include being ready for every good work, being able to share Jesus, and remaining happy in Christ. Reaoch also writes on eating healthy and overindulgence.
A Growing Relationship with God
The book ends by exhorting us to fight the fear of aging by focusing on a growing relationship with God. In every area of beauty, there is freedom found in Christ.
I received a media copy of Beautiful Freedom and this is my honest review.
Fitness, Health, and Beauty
A small, short book at less than 150 pages – it is a quick and encouraging read. As Christians, our approach to fitness, health, and beauty needs to be different.
In defining beauty, Reaoch begins by helping us understand that when we think about God’s beauty, it comes down to his character. Christians reflect God’s beauty to others. Reoach uses the story of Ruth to show that true beauty is displayed through our hearts.
Remaining Happy in Christ
Some worship our own bodies, and this is worship gone wrong. And unlike our bodies, only God’s kingdom will last. That being said, rest and exercise are still ways to care for our own bodies and serve others well.
Motivations for exercise include being ready for every good work, being able to share Jesus, and remaining happy in Christ. Reaoch also writes on eating healthy and overindulgence.
A Growing Relationship with God
The book ends by exhorting us to fight the fear of aging by focusing on a growing relationship with God. In every area of beauty, there is freedom found in Christ.
I received a media copy of Beautiful Freedom and this is my honest review.
January 13, 2025
This book is an insightful dive into looking at appearances, food, and fitness from a biblical perspective. As a college-aged woman, i find this book to be very applicable in my life and in the lives of close friends. I especially appreciate the chapter on dieting/restricting certain foods as I have struggled to articulate what a solid biblical stance on this topic should be. Stacy provides many examples from scripture of persons or situations where they found freedom in Christ. What an encouragement to read when thinking of the rest of my life and the type of woman i should strive to be because Christ had redeemed me and given me hope for a joyful future!
March 24, 2025
I was not expecting for this book to cut deep and challenge my thinking in regard to food, fitness, and body image. The author brought to light how our culture is obsessed with idolatry and how that manifests itself in these issues. I was challenged to evaluate ways that I have used food and fitness as a way to fill a void in my life that should be filled with God alone. The book also gave me much to think about as I raise my daughter and seek to instill in her a healthy mindset regarding her appearance. I would highly recommend this book to all women. I believe there will be some way that you are convicted and challenged through the author's use of Scripture in these matters.
October 7, 2024
This book changed my life! (As someone who has been searching for years for a book on overcoming the struggle of body image, I was OVERJOYED when I read this and found peace!) The author was so relatable and mentioned exact scenarios I have found myself in! She uncovers the root lie that we tell ourselves concerning our bodies. (So eye opening!) The title is true, “beautiful freedom” can be found! The author shared beautiful truths from God’s Word to help overcome the obsession of the “perfect body” and realize our bodies are for Christ and through Him, we can have beautiful freedom!
July 19, 2024
This book was fantastic and such a quick and easy read. The message of this book is that true joy and satisfaction is found in Christ, not losing weight, indulging in a piece of cake, Botox, etc. I love that Reaoch encourages us to look at the heart behind why we do what we do when it comes to fitness, food, and our appearance, instead of giving us a list of what she things is good or bad. It’s when we look to Christ that we can walk in freedom.
Want to read
July 29, 2024Contents
Introduction
1. A Beautiful Life
2. Whose Kingdom Are You Seeking?
3. Apathy, Obsession, and a Healthy Balance
4. Buns of Steel: A Biblical View on Exercise
5. You Are What You Eat? A Biblical View on Food Restrictions
6. The Chocolate Calf: A Biblical View on Overindulgence
7. A Crown of Glory: A Biblical View on Beauty and Aging
Afterword
Appendix: The Red Flags of Disordered Eating
July 24, 2024
This was a really good introduction on what Christians should believe about beauty, weight loss, exercise, and aging. And I agree with Reach, as Christians this is a place where we are often embracing secular beliefs. This is really a 4.5 star read, I just wanted a little more on each section. But it was really good and would be great to discuss with others.
May 27, 2025
I liked this book. Really helpful reminder that true beauty comes from the Lord! No matter what, you cannot stop time. The hair will grey, the wrinkles come, and the body fail...so should we be putting our time and resources into our "youthful" completion? If so, how much, and if not, why? How do we, as women, age gracefully?
May 30, 2024
Excellent start but I wish each chapter went further and deeper. It's a great beginner for the conversations around beauty. Other helpful resources are the Risen Motherhood podcast episode on beauty and Sam Allberry's What God has to say about our Bodies
June 16, 2025
Good read , slightly repetitive however I can understand this to get the point across to readers. It puts topics that many people battle with into context. It easily absorbable (having short chapters) and something to reflect on.
May 15, 2024
Very good primer on the topic and a book I’m glad to have on hand! Would be totally appropriate for teenagers as they struggle with body image, etc. Concise, biblical, and relatable. :)
August 5, 2024
A book I really needed at my current stage filled with insecurities about my body!
September 5, 2024
I agreed with some things but not all.
July 6, 2025
Great book about a healthy and biblical view of food and our relationship with our bodies.
July 7, 2025
Gospel centered, helpful questions. Enjoyable and thoughtful provoking
April 23, 2025
Book Club book #1 🙂
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