Breaking Free from Body Shame: Dare to Reclaim What God Has Named Good

by Jess Connolly

You were made for more than a love/hate relationship with your body.

It's one thing to know in your head that you were created in the image of God. Yet it's quite another to experience this belief in your body, against the cultural ideals of a woman's worth. And between the two lies a world of frustration, disappointment, and the shame of somehow feeling both too much and never enough in your body.

Jess Connolly is a bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and trusted Bible teacher who knows this inner conflict all too well, and this book details her journey--and yours--of setting out to discover how to break free from the broken beliefs we all hold about our bodies that hold us back from our fullest life.

The truest thing about you is that you are made and loved by God. And the truest thing about Him is that He cannot make bad things. This book will help you believe it with your whole self, as Jess guides you through an eye-opening, empowering process

Renaming what the world has labeled as less-thanResting in God's workmanshipExperiencing restoration where there has been injuryAnd becoming a change agent in partnering with God to bring revival to a generation of women Far from a superficial issue, self-image is a spiritual issue, because God has named your body good from the beginning. Whether your struggle is with eating and exercise habits, stress or trauma, infertility or injury, this book makes space for you to experience God meeting you in this tender place, and ring His freedom bell over your body in a whole new way.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Audiobook, Self Help, Health, Christian Living

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 22, 2021

About the author

Jess Connolly is a gal who is in the thick of it herself. She is the founder of the Naptime Diaries print shop, co-founder of the Influence Conference + Network, and she is passionate about using her words to point women to Jesus through writing and speaking. She and her husband planted a church in Charleston, South Carolina, where they live with their four children. Blog: www.jessconnolly.com

Reviews

[Suzie Showalter]

I put this on my “too cringey to finish” shelf. Any book that starts a lot of sentences with “girl, …” is just a hard no for me. Also, any book that is well into a few chapters and keeps saying “in this book, I hope…”??? We are already well into the book. Say what you need to say. And maybe this just felt really shallow for me. I only made it to about 5 chapters and it was a no

[Natalie Herr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking for a book like this for a long time — one with a theology of the body based in Scripture, guidance for identifying the lies our culture tells us about our bodies, and a new language around body image for Christians. It’s written for Christian women, but I’d say men should read it, too. I’ll be chewing on this topic for a long time and hope to pass some of the wisdom on to the next generation so they can experience freedom from what so many in my generation have struggled with.

[Rachelle Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure this book was for me. But when I saw the audiobook was free on Hoopla, I knew I wanted to read it. I love Jess’ voice and that she narrates her own books. Plus she lives in my city and I love to hear her speak.

So I listened to this book because I wanted to, and for my sisters who struggle with body shame, and so that my daughter never does.

Then when Jess said something along the lines of “maybe you don’t struggle with how you look, maybe for you it’s that your body has limits.”

And I went right back to my birth trauma story — and the fact that my body puts limits on our (bio) family plans.

Boom. Waterworks.

I had a mom who taught me how to smile when I look in the mirror. I’m not afraid of the dressing room or jeans shopping. I bounced back from having my baby and lost (most of the) weight quickly (three weeks) and received praise for it that I enjoyed, even though it really meant I was stressed, sleep-deprived, and forgetting to eat.

Yes, my body is broken. And yet it is still good. And I want to use it to worship. So I’m glad I listened to this book.

[Stacy Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this as my first book of 2023 because our family is making some big eating changes and I wanted to make sure my heart was in the right place.
Jess Connolly is one of my favorite authors. Her book Wild and Free will always be a top book for me. I had really high hopes for this one too but I came away kinda disappointed.

Her points are solid. And I got what I needed from the read but some of it felt padded. Like the book could have been shorter and said the same things. Some chapters felt totally unneeded. 🤷🏻‍♀️
I do disagree (maybe) with some of her points. I am not a fan of the #bodypositive movement like she is. I’ve seen too many influencers use it as an excuse to live unhealthy lives and not REALLY take care of themselves.

Yes. Our body is good. That’s my big takeaway from the book. And I find myself saying that to myself now, so I’m happy I read the book. BUT there was not enough emphasis on the fact that while our body is good, it’s also good for us to take care of it. That IS important.

If you struggle with body dysmorphia, this is a great read.

Our bodies are good. We need to believe that and treat them good. 🤍 Also, loved all the scripture references Jess included. Our good bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

[Brooke Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I half read the physical book / half listened to this book on Hoopla, and would highly recommend to anyone, regardless of if you define yourself as someone who struggles with body image. This book reminds us that we are God’s creation, and we are created in his image — your body is good.

She asks a lot of deep questions that are good to ponder on and think through about who you are, who God is, and what He made you to be. Will be thinking through these questions for a while!

[Courtney Shield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book. Ladies, just take my word for it and read this book. Christian culture has not been kind to our bodies, has not always treated them like they are good. This book will call you higher, will convict you like crazy, and yet will boost your confidence at the same time.

[Sarah Kruzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book version and enjoyed it! Loved that it was read by the author. Finally a book about a theology of how to view our bodies even when they experience pain and brokenness. I loved that she wrote it as “trigger free” as possible. A soft place to land for women who have struggled with disordered ways of viewing their bodies and who live in a culture who place expectations and demands that God never intended for us to live under.

[Morgan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe the most impactful book of the summer for me!! Unlearning and relearning how to view and treat my body (esp following the confusing effects of purity culture, etc) is an ongoing journey, but this book prompted a lot of thoughtfulness and tangible change.

This will stick with me:

“The truest thing about me, the most valuable aspect of myself that I bring into every situation and relationship is that God loves me, calls me His friend, and has made me His ambassador. This truth doesn’t rely on my work or my goodness, so it doesn’t become false after a hard day or in a tough season. But the fact that I’m loved transforms how I love and serve others. It compels me to give all I have and take what I need.”

[Emily Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great recommendation! I particularly liked how the theology of the body was steeped in Scripture. This book provides guidance on how to recognise the lies culture has sold women about their body and how to experience freedom from body shame.

The only thing I didn’t love was the use of The Message version of the Bible for the entirety of the book.

I would recommend the audio version.

[Mallory Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I tend to be very particular about the kind of conversational writing I can tolerate. There were times I cringed a little bit at how relatable she was trying to be with her conversational writing. However, I think this style of writing fits very well for the type of book she is writing. She doesn't write about "this is how to fix the problem". She simply tells her story, reports her findings, asks you a series of questions to reflect on, and leaves PLENTY of room for some good ole conviction. My body shame isn't the typical appearance or weight shame. It's more so a deep-rooted frustration with the lack of certain functions in my body. SO this book would probably be extremely encouraging to someone who deals with more of the appearance side of shame. I did get a lot out of this book and learned some things about myself. The ultimate point she makes is that your body is good, because it was made good by a good Father. So stop trying to "make it good". Your body is a temple, treat it as such. Ask yourself how you can worship God in and through your body. Overall, helpful book, but it focused more on the physical appearance shame, so some of it just felt really redundant to me because that's not something I struggle with as much.

[Luke Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soapbox time

This book has changed my perspective on life. It is incredible how the devil has manipulated us to view our bodies as projects. We believe the lie that our bodies must meet a certain cultural standard to be worthy, admirable, good. It is a shame.

ARE YOU TRYING TO LOVE YOUR BODY, OR ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE YOUR BODY LOVABLE?

God’s first words to humans are telling us that we are “very good”. Remember that you are named good by God, not this world. Jesus has the tendency to break down all cultural expectations. Maybe we should join him in this. The small comments on the baby weight, the dad bod, the summer body all reinforce the idea that we are not good enough unless we meet the arbitrary standard set by our culture. Don’t let the devil use you as his messenger, and follow Jesus in the freedom and life that breaks all sin and shame.

Please please read breaking free from body shame!!

[Katie Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m typical Christian self help book fashion, this book essentially communicated the exact same thing every chapter with only a different analogy at the beginning. The content was good and the lessons were impactful, but I found the writing to be a bore.

[Lucy Ultican · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt immensely helpful as a woman living in 2022 who wants to agree with God (and not the devil, capitalism, or our culture) about how to think about my body. I'm going to be thinking about this book for a long time.

[Kate Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best faith-based resources on body shame/image that I have ever read. In all honesty, I struggled to find books that weren’t either watered down or just overly cringey before I read this one.

In the words of Jennie Allen, Jess Connolly has catalyzed this needed conversation so beautifully and candidly. Jess writes in a way that is both Biblically accurate and God-honoring, without being legalistic. It made me feel seen and gives hope!

If you are a woman seeking freedom or seeking to live healed from body shame, I could not recommend Breaking Free from Body Shame more.

4.5/5 stars, rounded up.

[Tara O'Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read. I've already found myself more aware of the comments I make (out loud and to myself) regarding my appearance. This is a tough road ahead, but I can't wait to revisit these helpful questions along the way!

[Wynne Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this when it was published. SO POWERFUL!!!!!! 10/10 recommend any and all women read this. I actually listened to it, and loved having Jess voice in my ear.

[Brittany Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much and think many women would be encouraged by it. Jess Connolly hasn’t written a self-help book or on how-to guide, that’s not what this book is about. This book is about reforming our ideals about how we should view our bodies according to what God says about them. It can be good to strive to be stronger and healthier- to care for our bodies, but we don’t have to reach some standard to have our bodies be good- they are already good as created by God.

[Charity (Booktrovert Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful book about what we think about our bodies. It is revealing on the cultural pressures that we allow to put on women in today society is extreme. Jess Connolly wrote it in a way that shows me the lies that I told myself about my body. About the barriers that I created for myself because how society has told me how I need to look to fit in. She goes into the truth of the word to show how beautiful our bodies regardless on how imperfect it is. How we can accept and love our bodies because it is beautiful in God eyes is a beautiful message that I want all women of all ages to hear.
Love this book, even better in the audio version.

[Emma Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book for all women to read! A prayer of hers that I loved - “God help me want to see You more than I want to see my body fit into some culturally acceptable mold. Help me want You more than I want my body to seem good to others. Help me believe what You’ve said about my body.” !!! Our bodies are made good. Period. Our bodies are not markers of righteousness. Our bodies are not projects for our own glory. I will be reading again.

[Emma Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book radically changed my life. could not recommend it more. she speaks on so much more than body image. it is based well in truth and gives application and reflection at the end of each chapter. also, if you’re a girl and aren’t following her instagram, you should. she’s amazing.

[Leanna Romoser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most compelling book I’ve read when it comes to this topic. I am truly walking away from this read with a different view of my body and the biblical truths surrounding it. Legitimately sad to have finished this read because it was just that good!

[Ashley Clubb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to as an audiobook. I think this book calls readers up out of their heads and into Scripture to experience the "freedom for which Christ has set us free", which includes our bodies! Thankful that "healing, hope, and restoration were always Jesus' idea" and believing our bodies are good goes way deeper than culture's self-care movement.

[Claire Angulo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lol this was so bad. Getting called brave for wearing high waisted pants and seeing that as a compliment is crazy.

[Savannah Van Loon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I am experiencing the most freedom in my body, I think it is because I am believing what Jess writes about in this book.

[Mari Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly encourage the audiobook. Author includes prayers and her voice is full of conviction. This book is based in scripture and shares scripture throughout the book. I am very pleased with this book and recommend all women who have been beaten down by the words of others in relation to their bodies read this!

[Kimberly Varney · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In the bible there is no mention of Mary Magdalene’s thighs, Deborah’s teeth, Ruth’s waistline, Anna the prophetess’s forehead, Elsabeth’s stretch marks, Eve’s hair, Lois’ skin, Martha’s tunic size, or the symmetry (or lack thereof) of Miriam’s face.
Because the Lord looks at the heart.
Their faithfulness was not defined by their bodies, their capacity to be used by God was not defined by their bodies, and their bodies were never the most interesting or compelling parts of their story.
Because the Lord looks at the heart.”

As someone who has never quite felt comfortable in my own skin, played the comparison game, and always strived to look “better”, this book is freedom. It’s never too late to reject the enemies lies and declare that God made our bodies good!

[Caroline Roland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started listening to this book thinking I really didn’t need it, but boy—it hit home. I’m not one to focus on people’s bodies or looks, and if you’ve made disparaging comments about another person’s appearance to me, I’ve probably gotten angry. 😅I’m very careful about how I talk about bodies in front of my girls, but I have felt embarrassment and shame about my own appearance in recent years, and it’s mostly been influenced by social media and a southern Christian culture that glorifies the outward appearance.

Anyways, back to the book—It’s probably one of the deepest books I’ve read on this issue (which admittedly isn’t many). I have thought at LENGTH about my body, my weight, my spirituality reflected in it, etc, and in Jess I felt like I had found a kindred spirit who had also done a lot of soul work on these ideas, and I’m thankful to read from someone a bit farther down the road than me. This is a rare case where I will probably buy the print copy of the book and reread it in the near future. I could probably have extended discussions with my friends about the ideas explored in it, so if you’re someone like me who struggles, through a Christian lense, with weight, discipline related to the body, and people’s perception of you, you might find this book very helpful. I also want to start working on communicating these ideas to my girls and would love to use the scripture and principles in discipleship of teens and women down the road.

[Megan Hansel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have struggled with my body my entire life. I thought I was not enough, and that in turn had me stuck in the achievement trap of life. The achievement trap is when we fall prey to the illusion that we MUST achieve in order to prove our worth (which leaves us stressed out and disconnected from our purpose). In The Achievement Trapchases success because we believe that we are unconditionally worthy. For me, I love to control anything and everything since I could not control my weight, I would do anything else to be successful. This book has shown me that I am enough because of Jesus not because of Megan. It has FREED me in so many ways, and I cannot thank Jess enough for the work she is boldly accomplishing. I am now a mama of 3 girls, and this is helping me navigate my words with them, and to help them live in freedom instead of waiting 30 years like I did.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

my genuine hope and desire is that every woman would read this book. I’ve been on a journey of body freedom the last few years but have spent most of my time in the secular space because there haven’t been any gospel-centered resources on this topic. This book is everything I’ve been waiting for and more. Jess Connolly you really did it girl! Ladies, your body is not a project or something to be fixed. From the minute God spoke us into being he called what he created good. “You could do nothing else, your body is good” (p. 87). If that’s hard to believe, pick up this book because there is freedom offered to you in these pages. Wave goodbye to shame fueled body modifications and step into the vision that God has for you. I will most definitely be reading this at least 2 more times.

[Cassie Troja · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I love the premise. But I only got halfway through and had to drop it. The theology was all over the place, and some of it was just wrong. While I believe she has the best of intentions, that does not overcome the serious theological issues. I found it ironic that her major emphasis is “renaming” things, and one of the mistakes she makes is to talk about Saul being renamed to Paul. That’s a common error, but still not theologically correct. I don’t have time or brain power to list all the errors out, but they were enough for me to say, “no, thank you.”

I cannot recommend this book as it is not theologically sound.