Photo by: giorgio-trovato @ UnSplash.com
What Do You See in the Mirror?
Author: Cynthia Greene
Looking in the mirror is a routine daily activity. But sometimes we can become discouraged with the reflection that we see.
Some days when I look in the mirror what I see reflecting back is:
- …someone that looks older than I think I am.
- …wrinkles I didn’t see the day before.
- …figure flaws.
- …a bad hair day.
What do you see reflected back when you look in the mirror?
What do you think to yourself when you look in the mirror?
Before you continue reading the rest of this article, I would like to encourage you to watch this six-minute video….
Watch Video: You are more beautiful than you think
What thoughts came to your mind after watching the video?
After watching this video, a few questions came to my mind…
- Is the reflection I see in the mirror not what others see?
- Am I hurting myself with my own thoughts?
- How often do I dismiss compliments from others because I don’t believe them?
- Are there times when I unfairly compare myself to unrealistic images?
- Are my negative thoughts about myself disrespectful towards God who created me?
- Are my negative thoughts actually myself really lies?
If there are times we see ourselves unrealistically then is it possible we are not seeing ourselves as God does? How could our perspective change if we turned away from our thoughts (which can be flawed and untrue)? What if we turned to the Truth of who and what God says we are?
What Does God Say About Us?
God is the creator of beautiful things. Genesis tells us that we are created in His own likeness and in His image. In the Song of Songs there is a verse that talks about how God sees us as His Bride:
You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way. Song of Solomon 4:7 (NLT)
He tells us in the Psalms:
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13
God’s says we are beautiful because He sees us as a new creation. He has begotten us and put the mind of Jesus Christ in us with his Holy Spirit. That is what makes us a new creation.
…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…2 Corinthians 5:17
God is not interested in our outward adornment but in what lies inside of us.
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
We are God’s handiwork for the purpose of doing good works.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
God’s Word is the True Mirror
Maybe it is not the reflection we see in the mirror that is in error. Perhaps we are looking into the wrong mirror. God’s Word is the true mirror and reflects His Truth about who and what we are. We are to be reflecting God in our lives. In God’s Word we are told that God is Love. We reflect His Love by showing love to ourselves, others and to God Himself.
When the world, friends or our own thoughts leave us feeling unloved and unlovely, we can look into God’s Word (His Truth) and see who we are in His eyes. We are beautiful for the Godly character that is being developed inside of us, not what others see on the outside.
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3-4, (NLT)
As Christian women, we can be assured that God values our inner beauty and character. We don’t have to believe lies and unrealistic images of the the world presents. God’s Word tells us what true beauty is.
“So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporary [brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.” ~2 Corinthians 4:18 (Amplified)
So, when you look into the mirror of God’s Word, pause and let it sink in that God says you are:
- beautiful
- fearfully and wonderfully made
- a new creation
Song: Wonderfully Made
Questions to Ponder
- What other scriptures remind us of God’s love for us?
- How can we let other women know what true beauty is and that they are beautiful?
- How can we encourage others and point out their Godly qualities? Especially those evidenced by their good works?
Related Articles