Do the teens in your youth ministry know that they are created in the image of God? Read on to find out how you can help young people with self-esteem and body image issues.

For the third week in a row, I saw a senior junior struggle to complete conditioning class before track practice. I don’t know why I hadn’t noticed it before, but her clothes were three times too big. The bulky wardrobe slowed him down. After talking to him about wearing clothes that fit him and even calling his house, nothing has changed.

One day I asked the boy why he still wore such baggy clothes. I suspected it wasn’t a fashion choice. After getting only a shrug in response, I changed tack. I asked if he knew my son. Yes, he nodded.

“In fifth and sixth grade, my son was a little chubby,” I said. “Even though he lost a lot of weight in seventh grade, he wore clothes that were too big. He wanted to hide his body because he wanted it to be different. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you could feel that.

Undergrad’s eyes widened as I touched the sore spot on his nose. “But your son is a beast,” he said, referring to my sophomore workout routine.

“Let me tell you something,” I said. “He does this to help him feel in control of how his body looks. It took him until this year before he stopped wearing huge clothes. You are athletic and work hard on the track. I want to see you succeed. And as silly as it sounds, baggy clothes are holding you back.

The next day, the boy wore the same outfit. A conversation wouldn’t destroy his poor self-image.

Made in the image of God but struggling with self worth

The struggle started for me in college too. My body changed and a mouth full of braces ruined my smile. Every morning in front of the mirror, I mentally dissected everything I wished I could change. Unfortunately, this habit lasted into adulthood.

I worked hard to keep my insecurities to myself. But my daughters and son started doing the same. They told me everything they didn’t like about their appearance and then tried to hide.