Image RESTored: Tear Down Shame and Insecurity to Experience a Body Image Renovation

I have struggled with my body image for my entire life and can’t remember a time when I didn’t loathe and reject some part of my body.I was too short. My nose was too flat. My thighs were too big. And then came the stretch marks and the “mommy pouch” after having 3 kids in 3 years in my early 20s…not to mention losing 20 lbs in my early 30s due to trauma…and then regaining all of it - and then some! - due to surgery and hormonal changes in my early 40s.I have tried every diet and exercise regimen over the last 25 years; some have worked to help me lose weight for a period of time, but none have become a sustainable part of my lifestyle, nor have they repaired the damage done by the battering of cultural lies and cruel messages spoken by my family of origin about what is “beautiful”.“Image RESTored: Tear Down Shame and Insecurity to Experience a Body Image Renovation” has created a safe and gentle space for me to begin recognizing the “sinking sand lies” upon which I have built my body image foundation, and then given me the tools and guidance to replace those lies with rock solid truth from God’s Word.As I’ve worked through each section at a pace that was manageable for me, I have experienced the love and kindness of God working through Rachael Gilbert to help me feel seen, safe, and hopeful about the body image FREEDOM in store for me on this journey!I highly recommend this book as a “must have” for any woman who has ever struggled to see herself as altogether beautiful and chosen by God.

This is a book I wish I had read when I was a teenager! Oh the pain I could have avoided! This is a message that needs to be proclaimed, a message that is so much greater than our perceived physical appearance. We go through so much of life putting on “bandages” here and there covering up rather than going deeper and getting to the source of our problems. This book hits the mail on the head by going deep, getting to the core of the issue…our heart and how God is the only solution. Viewing ourselves through His Lena’s changes everything. I loved everything about this book, the relatable chapters, the temple truths, thoughts from Rachel as a therapist, the prayers and journal prompts, coloring pages and strong foundation verses. Read this book! Grab a friend and work through it together! Start a book club, or work through it at your church! It’s worth it!

I was really pleased when I opened this book up by Rachel Gilbert called Image Restored. As someone who has been preaching transformation by the renewing of our mind with the Living Word of God almost since the day I totally surrendered myself to the Lord what's not to be pleased about this book? The layout is wonderful with things to color, self reflection, scripture references etc. but Rachel's knowledge is very valuable. Women have struggled for years about who we are and what we have to look like according to the world. Images are thrown at women every day and with out a solid foundation about our identity in Christ they can be tossed by the wind of every ideaology that hits them. If you are a Life coach, mentor, Bible study teacher, Mother sister, friend etc.the knowledge you will gain from Rachel's experience in life, and even moreso by the Truth, you may be able to encourage others in a more Biblical way when it comes to image and image can cover many things when it comes to the body. Were you told you were overweight, that you had a funny body, a large nose, whatever? We are created in the image of God and that is all we as women need to know for our foundation. Check out Rachel's book. I think you will enjoy it for yourself as none of us are perfect as well as for others.

Image RESTored is a powerful book that speaks to a woman's struggle with body image and how God can help us to overcome that struggle. The book is well-laid out, with a sample of the poignant text within the chapter highlighted in the middle of the page, several pages at the end of each chapter to record one's thoughts and prayers and to reflect about what she has just read. I believe this is a great tool to be used and referred to time and time again. There are beautiful pages that can be colored, which include Scripture verses, that I believe can be useful as a form of therapy and relaxation. There is also a section called Therapist Thoughts throughout each chapter which can help one further define or reflect on what she has just read. Last but not least, there are videos for further information and instruction which accompany this book.This book is filled with wonderful information and direction and personal testimony from the author as she lived through what is presented in this book. Image RESTored allows the reader to go on her own journey and record it as it's happening. I will return to this book again and again as I learn new insights from God about my own struggle and journey with body image. This is something I wish I'd had years ago. But in God's time, Rachael Gilbert has been able to provide this resource to those of us who struggle with body image and who are longing to let God work in our lives to restore our body image the way He intended.

It’s a beautifully designed book. It will be most beneficial for Christian women 20-35 who are nearer to the early stages of exploring their body image issues. The workbook style with creative elements in the Therapy Toolbox section invites authentic interaction and reflection. Weaves abundant scriptural foundations, guided prayers, and the author’s personal journey throughout.