Men Battle Body Image Issues Too

A few years ago, I found myself staring at the mirror after another punishing workout. Not with pride, but disappointment. I pinched at my midsection and flexed my arms, silently comparing myself to the flawless male physiques plastered across social media. I was supposed to feel stronger. Instead, I felt like an impostor.

And I didn’t say a word. Because that’s what we’re taught as men to keep quiet, to “man up,” and to never admit insecurity, especially about our appearance.

While much-needed conversations have emerged around women and body image within Christian spaces, there remains a glaring silence about the inner battles men face. Yet the statistics tell a sobering story.

A Chapman University study reported that up to 40% of men are dissatisfied with their bodies. Another from Verywell Mind found that nearly 30% of men experience body-image anxiety, and around 11% have contemplated suicide due to dissatisfaction with their appearance. These are not fringe concerns they reflect a growing crisis that too many churches ignore.

What fuels this crisis? It’s a complex blend of cultural, social, and even theological pressures. Social media bombards us with curated images of chiseled, hyper-masculine bodies, subtly convincing men that to be strong is to be sculpted. Add to this the cultural narrative of stoicism that vulnerability is weakness and you create a perfect storm of silent suffering.

Even in Christian circles, an undercurrent of “muscular Christianity” still persists. While rooted in 19th-century efforts to encourage vigor and discipline, it often unintentionally equates spiritual health with physical dominance. The message may be unspoken, but it’s loud and clear: strong men are godly men.

Yet Scripture tells another story. It does not idolize abs or ideal physiques. Rather, it teaches that our value lies in being made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The body, far from being an ornament, is described by Paul as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) a vessel for worship, not comparison. In Philippians 4:7, we are reminded that it is the peace of Christ not perfect muscle tone that guards our hearts and minds.

So why do so many men feel like they can’t bring these struggles into the light?

Because we haven’t made space for it. In churches, men’s groups often center around leadership, purity, or discipleship all crucial topics but few directly address the emotional weight of body image, comparison, and shame. The assumption is that men don’t care, or don’t struggle. But they do.

Muscle dysmorphia, or “bigorexia,” is rising, especially among young men. This condition leads individuals to obsessively believe they’re not muscular enough, even when they are. It frequently coexists with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders and yet, because of stigma, many men suffer in silence rather than seek help.

In contrast, some Christian communities are beginning to take these struggles seriously. Ministries like Rooted are advocating for a theology that emphasizes identity in Christ over appearance. But the movement is still small, and the need is great.

We must begin by redefining strength. Real strength isn’t found in the gym mirror. It’s in the courage to be vulnerable, to speak the truth of your pain, and to embrace help without shame. As historian Tom Holland aptly put it, “The Christian idea of strength is upside down it’s in sacrifice and service, not domination.”

This truth must permeate our churches. Pastors and leaders set the tone. When they share their own struggles including with body image it models freedom. It breaks down the illusion that godly men must always be confident and composed. Authenticity creates safety, and safety fosters healing.

Additionally, churches need to provide practical resources: access to counseling, safe accountability groups, and discipleship materials that explicitly address self-worth and appearance from a biblical perspective. These are not “extra” concerns they are essential to holistic spiritual formation.

Let’s also teach our young men early that their worth doesn’t come from their reflection, but from their Redeemer. As Galatians 2:20 says, we live by faith in the Son of God, “who loved me and gave himself for me.” That love is not conditional on aesthetics.

Imagine the impact if churches became the safest place for men to admit their insecurities and be met with understanding, truth, and grace. A place where they are reminded that their identity is not in their physique but in their Savior.

Because here’s the reality: every man, at some point, stands in front of the mirror and wonders if he’s enough. The Church has the answer not in performance or perfection, but in the unfailing love of Christ, who declared us worthy by His sacrifice.

If we truly want to be a refuge for the broken, we must begin to see the wounds that aren’t visible. Body image is not just a women’s issue. It’s a human issue. And it’s time we treated it like one.

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