Teenage girls are looking in the mirror long and hard, dismayed by the fact that the image on the opposite side does not reflect that of an actress, athlete, or fashion model. It's easy to be disillusioned by television, along with today's magazines, music and movies.
Why? Because they all promote a message that screams, "If you do not have the ideal body type, you will not get a guy, friends, popularity, or acceptance!" This message is totally untrue, but when you feed into this hype, you may soon second-guess your own body image, instead of thanking God for the skin you're in.
Vanity creeps into your life by making you concerned with superficial matters. This in turn can take your concentration off of what really counts�the person within, and the true purpose of your life.
It's common to be down and out about your body image, feeling like there is something wrong with the way you look. Many young women go through a stage when they feel they're not pretty enough (for some, it is more than a stage). You may even believe that if you had the "right" body image, your life would be much better. DO NOT be fooled by this misconception.
TV shows, magazines, and movies rarely show how even the most "attractive women sometimes cry themselves to sleep. Why? Because being endowed with "good looks" does not make one exempt from life's problems. They too are lied to, cheated on, become sick, hurt and deceived.
When caught up in vanity, superficial matters take top priority in your mind. You become enthralled with body image as an attempt to gain acceptance. But the very acceptance that is so diligently sought after often turns into a curse. More than likely you'll find yourself accompanied by people who couldn't care less about the real you. For some, health is compromised with harmful eating disorders. Bodies ache after risky cosmetic procedures and feelings hurt because the mirror reflecting back still does not display a "perfect" body. This destructive lifestyle can also lead to suicide.
DO NOT be persuaded by evil forces determined to make you believe you should look a certain way. Evil lies and deceit are used as ploys to defer your attention away from the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus cares for you very deeply, and no matter what you look like, you will always, always, always be accepted and loved by him. Outward appearances are not important to the Lord; neither should they be to you. The condition of your heart is the only thing that matters.
Consider what the Bible has to say:
"Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain�" (Proverbs 31:30, KJV)
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)
It is good to appreciate the unique way God crafted your body; all of God's creatures are beautiful. However, an extreme preoccupation with body image is vanity. It is unfair to God for you to obsess over appearances when the real you lies within. God did not put you here without reason�you have a divine purpose. When you become a Christian, you are the light of the world!
"You are the world's light�a city on a hill glowing for all to see. Don't hide your light. Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see so they will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:14-16, The Living Bible)
Embellish the "real you." Use your gifts, talents, and character to praise the Lord and use the blessed body that God has given you to help and bless other people. Don't forget your divine purpose, "let your good deeds glow for all to see�"
Comments on this article? Email the author at bonniemechelle [at] lycos.com.
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