The Lie Christian Women Keep Calling “Discipline”

Why Everything You’ve Learned About Health Might Be Wrong

Sometimes things look one way—beautiful, impressive, even convincing—until you realize it was never true at all.

I learned that lesson years ago at a Christmas Gala in college. The room was glowing with candlelight, dresses were flowing, and there sat a handsome upperclassman at a grand piano, playing flawlessly. I remember thinking, Wow. He plays piano too? It felt straight out of a Hallmark movie.

Fast forward a few years later, and I found out the truth: he wasn’t playing at all. The music was coming from his phone.

Funny now—but also a perfect picture of how easily we believe something just because it looks real.

And this is exactly what’s happened to so many Christian women when it comes to health and “discipline.”

When Diet Culture Disguises Itself as Godliness

Diet culture has convinced us that discipline looks like restriction, misery, constant calorie counting, expensive supplements, and punishing routines.

We’re told that if we’re just disciplined enough, we’ll finally feel confident, energetic, and worthy.

But here’s the truth: God never designed discipline to make us miserable.

Scripture tells us clearly what discipline actually looks like—reading and meditating on God’s Word, prayer, fasting, worship, and serving others.

These practices don’t earn us favor with God; they draw us closer to Him!

Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 4 that food was created by God to be received with gratitude, not fear or shame.

He warns against “pointless and silly myths” and urges believers to train in godliness, not obsess over the body as if it holds ultimate value. (because it doesn’t!)

Physical health matters—but it was never meant to become an idol.

Discipline That Leads to Peace, Not Perfection

Diet rules promise control but deliver anxiety.

Spiritual disciplines recalibrate our hearts back to truth.

When we read Scripture, pray honestly, fast for spiritual clarity (not weight loss), worship intentionally, and serve faithfully, we gain something diet culture can never offer: peace.

Real health doesn’t start with shrinking your body. It starts with renewing your mind.

Imagine a Different Way

Imagine eating without fear.

Imagine health as a tool—not a master.

Imagine your worth no longer rising and falling with a number.

Perfection was never the goal. Peace was.

God doesn’t ask you to perform your way into His love.

He invites you to walk with Him—one step, one choice, one grace-filled moment at a time.

Ready to Go Deeper?

If this message stirred something in you, I invite you to listen to the episode for a deeper dive, share with a friend, and subscribe to be notified of future episodes!

🎧 Listen now, and take your next step toward peace-filled health rooted in grace, not striving. (because everyone needs less striving in their life!)