Writers 
For a minute, can you just be quiet?
🗣 "Oh, she's too lean."
🗣 "She has a lot of pimples and wrinkles."
🗣 "Oops, her tummy is so big."
🗣 "She's just so chubby."
🗣 "Why is he so short?"
🗣 "She has a lot of stretch marks."
🗣 "She has no shape or figure."
🗣 "She's taking flat tummy tea?"
🗣 "She just gained weight, it must be supplements."
🗣 "Why is he so fat for a guy?"
🗣 "Why is his complexion so dark?"
🗣 "Why is her dressing so modest? Oops, old-fashioned!"
Cho cho cho!
For one minute... can we just be quiet?
THE PROBLEM: WE TALK TOO MUCH.
Every single time, it's talk, talk, talk. Gossip. Gist. Criticism. Analysis.
We have something to say about her weight.
We have something to say about her skin.
We have something to say about her height, her hair, her dressing, her marriage, her womb.
And the irony? We do it with smiles. In church. In the office. At family gatherings.
We call it "just gist" or "I’m just concerned". But deep down, it’s body-shaming dressed in laughter.
Christians...?
Yes, us. The same people who sang "You are fearfully and wonderfully made" on Sunday.
On Monday we’re the ones reminding our colleague about her pimples.
On Tuesday we’re asking why her husband is so fat.
On Wednesday we’re discussing why her dressing is "old-fashioned".
Must you talk?
Must you embarrass them in public?
Must you remind them of what they already know about themselves?
THE PAIN: YOU CAN'T WIN.
This is the part that hurts the most.
She's slim, you body-shame her: "Eat food o, you’re looking like a broom."
She gains weight, you body-shame her: "What’s all this fat? Are you pregnant?"
She’s dark, you say "She should use cream."
She’s light, you say "She bleached."
She dresses modestly, you say "She’s local."
She dresses nice, you say "She’s showing too much."
So tell me, what exactly do you want?
The truth is, there is no version of a woman that will satisfy everyone’s mouth. If she changes for you today, tomorrow you’ll find something else to talk about.
THE TRUTH: GOD DOESN’T SHAME HIS OWN.
Listen to me sister, brother.
God did not make a mistake with you.
Your stretch marks are not a mistake. They are proof of life, proof of growth, proof of survival.
Your "tummy" is not a mistake. Your skin, your height, your complexion, your shape — God formed it.
Psalm 139:14 says "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Not "wonderfully made except for..."
Not "fearfully made if only..."
Wonderfully. Made.
Confidence is not about having a flat tummy or clear skin.
Confidence is knowing that the One who created you calls you good.
THE CALL: CHOOSE SILENCE. CHOOSE KINDNESS.
So what do we do now?
1. Check your mouth before you talk.
Ephesians 4:29 - "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up."
If it won’t build her up, keep it in.
2. Mind your business.
Her body is not your business. Her weight loss journey is not your business. Her skin is not your business.
3. Compliment instead of criticize.
"I love your smile." "Your spirit is beautiful." "You’re doing well." That’s the kind of "gist" heaven records.
4. Let people be confident.
Let the slim girl be slim in peace. Let the chubby girl be chubby in peace. Let the woman with stretch marks wear what she wants in peace.
FINAL WORD
We are quick to post "Be kind" on social media, but slow to practice it with the person sitting next to us.
For once, can we just be quiet?
Can we let people heal?
Can we let people glow in the skin God gave them?
The next time you want to comment on someone’s body, pause.
Ask yourself: "Will this give life, or will this take life?"
Let’s choose life.
Let’s choose kindness.
Let’s choose silence over shame.
Because reassuring confidence of every woman starts with what comes out of our mouths.
