When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
Do you immediately see the blemishes, imperfections and things you dislike about yourself? Most of us do!
Culture today tries to define what our identity should be. Beauty is defined by society as being stick-thin, air-brushed, perfect skin complexion, toned muscles and trending with the latest fashions. We see movie stars, athletes, musicians and others in the spotlight day in and day out and we have this image of what beauty is. But we often forget that images on TV, in the movies and especially in glamour magazines aren’t real. They are airbrushed, modified, photo-shopped, cropped and edited to make us believe that there is an element of reality to what we are seeing. What we ALSO fail to see are the eating disorders, the stress filled days, the workout regiments and the tension that these women and girls are constantly under in order to fit into this elite bracket of “beautiful”.
Our identity is wrapped up in what we look like, what we know, or what we can contribute to society. The Bible, however clearly says that our identity should be found in Christ. We should draw our value and self-worth from what God says about us. In order for us to bravely become ourselves and be secure in who God has made us to be as women, we have to agree with the truth of God’s Word about us.
We must CHOOSE TO REFUSE THE LIES, AND CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THE TRUTH.
We have to look at glamour magazines and remind ourselves this isn’t real, we have to watch movies and realize that Hollywood is glamourizing what’s on the screen. We have to recognize society’s perspective of beauty isn’t real, but a lie, and God’s perspective is the truth.
In order to believe the truth, we have to realize that we live in a broken system in this fallen world. We have to understand, that the enemy is out to steal from us, to kill us and destroy us… And He is going to use every weapon that is at his disposal to get us to buy the lies he wants us to believe. Unfortunately, the beauty industry is after our money and in order to get our money, they must “sell us a belief system” that says we need make-up, we need the latest fashion, and need the latest hair style in order to fit in and be beautiful.
We have to reject these lies and embrace that we are beautiful just the way we are. And that these things – makeup, clothing, hair and accessories simply enhance the beauty we already have.
The ONLY WAY to begin to gain confidence in who we are is to begin to learn to combat the lies with truth – the truth of God’s word!!
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Image found on Google images.
Pamela Lozano is a conscientious leader who believes in investing in and mentoring the next generation to raise them up to be who God has designed them to be. She is the President & Founder of Pure Design Ministries which publishes Pure Design Teen Magazine on a quarterly basis.
