Created in God’s Image

God Hears Her Podcast
Episode 195 – Created in God’s Image with Ellen Wildman
Eryn Eddy-Adkins with Ellen Wildman

[Music]

Ellen: Looking at women in the Bible, like Deborah and Mary and Mary Magdalene, and thinking about how their body was a part of their story. For Mary Magdalene, for example, she was healed by Jesus, and that includes her body. I’m thinking, how did she feel in her body? How did she understand that as part of the miracle? The more I thought about being made in God’s image, the more I realized it really affected every area of my life.

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Eryn: Well today, God Hears Her family, you have just me and a very, very special guest named Ellen Wildman. There are a few things that we’re going to dig into today. We’re going to talk about body image, worth, and dive into her devotional, Already Whole. Ellen has her bachelor’s in Bible and Ministry to Women from Moody Bible Institute and her Master’s in Biblical and Theological Studies from Denver Seminary. Ellen, welcome to the podcast.

Ellen: Thank you so much. I’m so happy to be here.

Eryn: I’m so excited to have a conversation with you. Before we dig in, what was Ellen like as a younger girl? How did you find the Lord in your journey?

Ellen: Great question. I grew up going to church. My parents had us in programs and were really focused on missions. I started going on mission trips at a young age. I don’t know the exact age when I accepted Christ—it was just a part of my life. But I remember starting to pray a lot around second or third grade. I was a very anxious child, and the first verse I ever memorized was about lying down to sleep, knowing the Lord would protect you. From a young age, I saw Jesus as my Friend. As my family got more involved in missions and serving, my heart grew for others and for the Lord. I realized I liked studying the Bible and teaching others how to study it, which led me to Moody. I thought everyone liked writing, and it wasn’t until I worked at a Christian publishing company that I realized not everyone enjoys it. My passions aligned—teaching women theology and empowering people to go directly to the Bible themselves.

Eryn: Was there someone who modeled that for you?

Ellen: Actually, a lot of it came from not having someone. When I first went to undergrad, I wasn’t sure I had the tools to understand Scripture. I remember hearing about Calvinism versus Arminianism and thinking, “What are you saying?” I was too nervous to ask questions. But the more I studied, I realized it’s fair to not know, and I want to be that safe place for others.

Eryn: What would you say is a common lie that causes women to not love their bodies or see themselves the way God does?

Ellen: The biggest lie is that our body is disconnected from God and our faith. Other lies fall under that—like our weight determines our worth, or we need to follow beauty standards. But when I studied what it means to be made in God’s image, it was incredibly freeing.

Eryn: What was that journey like for you?

Ellen: I’ve always struggled with body image and self-confidence. I would come to God with those feelings, but never connected them to the fact that God created my body. After college, I explored secular body positivity and self-love. I found helpful tools, but something was missing. That changed when I rediscovered the idea of Imago Dei in Genesis 1:27. I realized every part of me is made in God’s image, including my body. That freedom had always been there, and I finally embraced it.

Eryn: What secular tools did help you?

Ellen: I struggled with my relationship with food. In my home, dieting was common. Secular tools helped me see food more neutrally, not as good or bad. That helped my body image and led me to body neutrality, which means seeing your body as it is—not something to love or hate. It helps reduce pressure and allows us to appreciate our body’s function. Self-care also expanded to include movement I enjoy and even naps.

Eryn: I love naps. They are spiritual.

Ellen: One of my professors said, “Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.”

Eryn: Yes! I used to feel guilty for falling asleep during quiet time until a mentor told me, “Sometimes God just wants you to rest in His arms.”

Ellen: That resonates with me. God factors in our humanness—our bad days, our struggles. Even in my body image journey, I had to give myself grace.

Eryn: It’s true. Instant gratification tools don’t lead to lasting transformation. How did you transition to sustainability and truly believing what God says about your body?

Ellen: I realized I couldn’t accept my body outside of seeing it as God’s creation. Tools helped for a time, but didn’t offer lasting peace. Studying women in Scripture like Mary Magdalene, who was healed physically by Jesus, helped me reflect on the importance of the body in God’s plan. Seeing my body as beloved and good because it was designed and blessed by God changed everything. It also helped me give more grace to others.

Eryn: How have you avoided bitterness toward cultural beauty ideals?

Ellen: Realizing everyone struggles, even those who seem to fit the ideal. Culture, not individuals, perpetuates these harmful standards. Recognizing that helped me feel unified with other women rather than resentful.

Eryn: I have stepdaughters and try to be mindful of how I talk about my body. Kids pick up on everything.

Ellen: Absolutely. Our words matter. How we speak to ourselves and others impacts how they feel about their bodies. I try to focus compliments on how someone made me feel rather than appearance. I avoid talking about weight or food unless the other person initiates.

Eryn: What woman in Scripture most inspires you?

Ellen: Deborah. She was a powerful leader and the only female judge mentioned in the book of Judges. She existed in a body, yet the focus is on her character and leadership. That inspires me to focus less on appearance and more on calling and confidence.

Eryn: What would you say to someone who feels discouraged about their body?

Ellen: This is a journey. We all have bad body-image days. But those are just days—not your whole life. Don’t let culture define you. Remind yourself, “This is just a bad day.” It helps to reframe: “This industry wants me to hate myself, but I won’t let it win.”

Eryn: That’s empowering.

Ellen: The subtitle of my book is 90 Devotions for Being at Home in the Body God Gave You. Your body is the only home you’ll have your entire life. You can rest in the truth that it is good and created in God’s image.

[Theme Music]

Eryn: Thank you, Ellen, for this beautiful and thought-provoking conversation. Visit GodHearsHer.org for more on Ellen’s book, Already Whole, and past episodes on body image. And don’t forget—our 200th episode is coming with a huge giveaway!

Production Credits:

• Engineered by Anne Stevens
• Produced by Jade Gustman and Mary Jo Clark
• Special thanks to Chriscynthia and Alicia

Elisa Morgan: God Hears Her is a production of Our Daily Bread Ministries, a donor-supported nonprofit dedicated to bringing the Bible to life for people around the world.