Sunday, May 15, 2011

The Girl in the Mirror

A couple of months ago, I looked in the mirror and I was not pleased with what I saw. “How did this happen?!” I wondered. Then I decided to do something about it. I joined a dance class. Even after 4 classes, I just couldn't keep up with the fast-paced, bouncy hip hop moves and I couldn't handle watching myself in the mirror. So I did what any postpartum sleep-deprived woman would do - I left class early and cried all the way home! And I refused to go to class the next week. I have a bad case of what I call “Mommy body!”

How about you? When you look into the mirror, do you like what you see? Chances are, if you are a female, then you have dealt with body image issues at some point in time. We compare ourselves with other women and often unrealistically so. No matter what the number is on the scale, we tend to fixate on the things we don’t like about our bodies. One woman says, “I wish I had curly hair,” while another woman wishes hers was straight. One woman wants a flatter tummy while another wishes for a curvier figure.

What’s a girl to do? How do we find contentment with the girl in the mirror? Perhaps we need a different perspective – God’s perspective. You’ve probably heard these truths before, but we all need a reminder now and then.

Genesis 1:27-28, 31
“God created man in His own image…male and female He created them.
God blessed them…God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.”

Psalm 139:14
“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

I Samuel 16:7
“For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I Peter 3:3-4
“Your adornment must not be merely external…but let it be the hidden
person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is precious in the sight of God.”


(Written by Heidi Songer for the Westwood MOPS May 2011 newsletter)

2 comments:

  1. Good post! I'm not sure I know a single woman who looks in the mirror and is happy with what they see. Maybe it's time to ditch the mirrors and pay more attention to what our hearts look like. God bless x

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  2. Thanks for sharing your heart so openly, Heidi! Can't lie, I think we've all been there. You are beautiful inside and out and I am very blessed to know you! :)

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