Freedom in Surrender with Ashley Smith

In this episode of “Intuitive Eating for Christian Women,” we are joined by the inspiring Ashley Smith. Ashley shares her powerful journey of struggling with restrictive eating, over-exercising, and seeking validation through her body image. She candidly discusses her realization of idolizing her body and resisting the Lord’s guidance, emphasizing the importance of surrendering to God’s plans. The hosts, Erin and Char-Lee, open up about their own experiences with control and surrender, creating a space for honest conversations about the pressures and challenges facing Christian women.

Ashley’s story touches on issues like hypothalamic amenorrhea, fertility struggles, and the healing power of intuitive eating. Through her journey, she found fulfillment and strength in the Lord, inspiring others to embrace acceptance, healing, and trust. Join us for a heartfelt and thought-provoking discussion as we explore faith, body image, and the journey to true freedom.

Ashley Smith is a Women’s Holistic Hormone Health practitioner who specializes in helping women heal from hypothalamic amenorrhea and restoring their fertility naturally. After going through her own HA healing journey and battling the mental and emotional stronghold of seeking validation, worthiness, and praise about her body, she finally surrendered, submitted, and received what God had already spoken about her in His word.

• Website: https://www.thehasociety.com/workshop
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_/

Quotes & Questions

When did you stop agreeing with the Lord?

Are you serving the familiar and calling it comfortable/peace?

Are you trusting the familiar over the Lord’s voice

Will I let the Lord walk me through this?

Will I let the Lord be enough for me?

Prayer: Lord, teach me to be satisfied in You

Finding Freedom Through Surrender: A Journey of Healing and Faith

In a recent episode of Intuitive Eating for Christian Women, guest Ashley Smith shared her powerful and deeply personal journey of struggle, healing, and self-discovery. Her story resonates with many women who have battled with body image, disordered eating, and the quest for control. As the hosts Erin and Char-Lee dove into Ashley’s experiences, the theme of control versus surrender emerged as a central point of reflection and growth.

Ashley’s journey began with her involvement in sports and fitness, where she grappled with her body image and the desire for physical strength to match her internal fortitude. This struggle led her down a path of restrictive eating, overexercising, and ultimately losing her menstrual cycle due to the extreme stress she placed on her body. What followed was a journey filled with physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges, as she sought to regain her health and well-being.

The concept of control, both in the context of food and body image, as well as in the broader aspects of life, was a recurring theme in Ashley’s story. She found herself striving for a sense of control over her body, seeking validation and worth through her physical appearance. This idolization of her body, however, came at a cost, as she experienced health issues, emotional distress, and a disconnect from her faith.

As Ashley embarked on her path to healing, she encountered resistance to surrendering control and embracing the unfamiliar, trusting God’s plan over her own desires. While she initially resisted the Lord’s guidance, she eventually discovered that true freedom was found in surrendering to God’s plans and trusting in His purpose for her life.

The conversation surrounding familiar versus comfortable, and the realization that the familiar does not always equate to peace or comfort but can signify control, resonated deeply with the hosts Erin and Char-Lee. Ashley’s journey became a catalyst for a broader discussion on the ways we often hold onto the familiar, even when it leads to unhealthy patterns, and how surrendering to God’s plan can lead to true fulfillment.

Ashley’s story of healing and transformation serves as a beacon of hope for women navigating similar struggles. Her bold embrace of intuitive eating and her journey towards healing her body and spirit through surrender and faith is a testament to the transformative power of trusting in God’s plan.

In a world that often exalts external achievements and physical appearance, Ashley’s story serves as a reminder that true fulfillment and freedom are found in surrendering to God’s plans, rather than seeking validation through worldly means. Her message is one of hope and encouragement, urging listeners to examine their own relationship with control, surrender, and faith.

As Ashley prays for guidance to receive God’s blessings and reveal areas of the heart that may be replacing Him, her vulnerability and openness provide a safe space for others to reflect on their own struggles and seek healing. Her journey of finding strength and satisfaction in the Lord’s presence serves as an inspiring example of faith, resilience, and the transformative power of surrender.

Listen to the full episode of Intuitive Eating for Christian Women featuring Ashley Smith for a powerful and poignant conversation that delves into the themes of control, surrender, and finding true freedom in faith. Ashley’s journey is a testament to the redemptive power of surrendering to God’s plan and embracing a life of true fulfillment and purpose.

Reflection Questions for Episode 64

1. How has Ashley’s journey with disordered eating and body image struggles resonated with your own experiences or those of women in your life?

2. Can you relate to Ashley’s identification of her body as an idol, and the pressure to maintain a certain appearance as a source of worth and identity?

3. What are your thoughts on the concept of “the familiar” and how it relates to control, surrender, and the pursuit of purpose in your own life?

4. How does Ashley’s experience with hypothalamic amenorrhea and the pursuit of healing through intuitive eating challenge or align with your perceptions of health, wellness, and surrendering control?

5. In what ways have you found fulfillment and strength in surrendering to the Lord’s guidance and releasing the idols that compete for your attention and worth?

6. What role has societal pressure, internalized standards, or disordered eating played in your relationship with food, body image, and the pursuit of external validation?

7. How do you navigate the tension between familiar habits and the call to trust in God’s purpose, particularly when it comes to our bodies and self-worth?

8. Have you faced challenges or fears related to addressing health issues, fertility, or the process of embracing body changes and healing through intuitive eating and other holistic approaches?

9. How do you perceive the role of community and vulnerability in the journey toward intuitive eating, recovery from disordered eating, and embracing God’s purpose for our bodies?

10. What key takeaways have you gained from Ashley’s story in terms of finding freedom and fulfillment in surrender, listening to your body’s needs, and aligning your worth with God’s perspective?