Written by Tiffany Stuart
(contributing writer from Tea With Tiffany)
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? I used to primp for two hours straight. Drove my parents crazy! I felt better about myself after I curled or straightened my hair, put on makeup, and found just the right pair of jeans and t-shirt.
My 120 “mirror-minutes” had nothing to do with hair brushes, mascara, or brand names jeans. It was deeper. I desperately wanted to mask my insecurities.
I didn’t like my blonde eyelashes, fair skin, weight, shoe size, or my small chest. If a friend complimented my eyes, I’d think, Yeah right, you’ve never seen them without mascara. When I compared myself to air-brushed models, movie stars, or even my friends, I never measured up. No amount of makeup, exercise, or dieting transformed me into my ideal image.
Warped View
Have you ever stood in front of one of those funhouse mirrors? You either look like a flamingo—all legs—or you morph into a squatty, box turtle. We laugh at our out-of-proportion self, but the reality is many of us see ourselves this way everyday. And that’s not funny.
For example, instead of seeing my mostly straight teeth, I zoom in on my couple crooked ones. Instead of seeing my hazel eyes, my only pimple stands out like Mount Acne. Whatever I don’t like expands; the rest shrinks. Sound familiar?
Sounds distorted.
Is your mirror your friend or enemy? Answer honestly.
Think about this, not all mirrors are bad. Interior decorators use mirrors to create an illusion of a bigger space. Mirrors can be helpful or even save us from accidents. My car alone has five mirrors. The rear view mirror and two side mirrors are for my safety. A stranded hiker can be rescued by flashing a mirror.
There are even Scriptures about mirrors. The definition of a mirror is a surface capable of reflecting light. Reflecting light? Interesting! Jesus is considered the light of the world.
So how can we change the way we see ourselves in a mirror?
By spending more time looking through God’s mirror. His Word.
God’s Mirror
God’s mirror has no goopy hairspray residue, better known as media influences. The Bible offers the clearest image of me. Without distortion. The more I seek His truth about who I am, the better off I am when I struggle with my reflection.
Genesis 2:27 says we are made in His image. God’s image is truly amazing! His character includes love, joy, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and so much more. As a Christian, we have His Spirit living in us. That’s beautiful.
Reflecting Glory
How do you feel about your face in the mirror? 2 Corinthians 3:18 says “we with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory,” Notice the word all. If you’re a believer, you reflect God’s glory. Period.
Wow, I need to focus on that, not my physical flaws.
Notice how Isaiah describes Jesus in Isaiah 53:2b: “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him. Nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” This amazes me. We sing songs about the beauty of the Lord and yet Jesus wasn’t good looking. Hmm? So when we sing we must mean something else. His beauty runs deeper than the surface or skin. His beauty is found in who He is at heart.
Heart Beauty
The best part is His beauty lives inside you! Yes, you! 1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV) says, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
When was the last time you looked at your heart?
“But you don’t know my heart. I’m jealous. I’m angry all the time. I’m depressed. I want to hurt someone. Myself included.”
Wait a minute. Please be gentle with yourself. God knows you completely and he doesn’t reject you. He loves you. After all, you are His design.
I love Psalm 139. It reminds me of my real identity. My physical appearance is part of God’s design. He formed me in my mother’s womb. God knows my every thought. I guess that means He can handle my uglies. Yours too.
Am I saying don’t care about your looks? Not at all. I’m suggesting that you focus the beauty of God’s heart living in you more than your face and body.
Ever read an obituary that said, “She had perfect skin and a ‘ten’ figure?”
Me neither.
Obituaries focus on the heart. What did the person contribute to society? What did she love? Who did she serve? Think about Mother Teresa. She lived her life ministering to the poor, orphaned, sick, and dying. But she was ordinary looking. She had a big nose, wrinkles, and she dressed different. Yet her beautiful heart marked history.
Mirror Minutes
Here’s a challenge. The next time you’re getting ready in front of your mirror, reflect on what God sees. No more distorted views, okay? I’ve learned to post Scriptures where I need them most. On my mirror. Gazing at who God says I am has helped me learn to love and accept myself. Even with those extra few pounds.
So grab a pen and a sticky note. Here’s your first mirror message: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
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