I spent the summer after my freshman year in college working at a Young Life camp nestled in the mountains of Colorado. The fresh, mountain air was a healing balm to my hurting soul. I had been struggling with an eating disorder for years and just couldn’t seem to stop doing the things to myself that I so desperately wanted to stop doing.
While out for a run one morning, I was stunned by the beautiful scene before me and stopped to praise God for His amazing creation; for the mountains in the distance still capped in snow, for the beautiful field of wildflowers stretching out before me, for the perfect, clear, blue sky. In the middle of praise, God opened my eyes to see something I had been missing: I would never criticize the beautiful creation I was taking in but I so easily criticized the creation I saw in the mirror. I would never tell Him that He made a flower the wrong color or made a mountain too tall or too wide but yet I looked at myself and could only see the flaws.
How could that be? How could I criticize the masterful work of the mountains and reject His creation of me when, in truth, I am created by the Great Artist who is only capable of a masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). More than that, with much more care than the flowers and sky I was admiring, He created me. He knit me together (Psalm 139:13-14) and He made me in HIS IMAGE (Genesis 1:27). How could I look at a field and praise Him and look in a mirror and not do the same?
God showed me that I had been taking my beauty cues from culture, but that path is filled with bondage and heartache because ideal beauty is constantly changing. Did you know that in the early 1900’s the ideal body type was a small waist and a large bust? Because of this, women wore corsets and had ribs removed so that a man’s hands could span their waists. In the 1920’s, the ideal body type was the rail-thin, flat-chested flapper with charcoal eyes and pin-curled hair. In the 1980’s, physical fitness, spandex and Jane Fonda were all the rage and the ideal body type became the one that was muscular and toned. “Ideal beauty” continues to change: a pronounced backside, eyelashes that stretch to Canada, thick eyebrows instead of the pencil-thin of ten years ago. We can’t hang our beauty hopes on the culture because it will change.
We must listen to the God who created us about what makes us beautiful.
Culture says: You have to have the right clothes and perfectly applied make-up.
God says: Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Culture says: Your outer beauty is the most important thing about you.
God says: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).
Culture says: You have to have a flat stomach and toned arms.
God says: For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8).
Beauty trends change but God’s Word remains the same. We must get our cues about beauty from our Creator instead of our culture. When we do, we find rest and freedom and are able to use these bodies He created for His glory as we display His splendor. May we remember that we are a masterpiece and beautiful because our Creator only makes beautiful things. Seek to grow in the beauty that lasts.
Kate
…and that should also apply to those other people we have in our view—all made in His image—not all yet saved by the precious, pure blood of the Lamb, but potential! We all must look on others as our Heavenly Father looks at us—souls that need a Savior, just as we did! No matter how rich or poor, beautiful or not, they are all created in His image. If we are taking on His image as we learn and grow, we may have the opportunity to draw even our enemies to Jesus!
Lord, help us see as You do in the name of our holy, wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Amen, Pat!
Amen Pat! Yes, I agree with what you said. And yes Lord I am in agreement with Pat, “help us see as You do.” Thank you for being on the blog with us today. God bless you.
I have had spaces between my teeth for as long as I can remember. I had a retainer that helped some, but my Dad couldn’t afford braces. So, after I was told I could stop wearing the retainer, my teeth shifted back. I have always hated them. But I have to remember that God made me this way and I need to accept it. I have asked for God for forgiveness. I do spend time with God every day. I am grateful that He saved me at a young age. I try to give Him glory in all.
Tammy,
God made us in His image and makes no mistakes. Rest in that knowledge and be proud what He gave you, spaces between your teeth and all! You never know who else may be struggling with the same thing and may find confidence and inspiration from you. God Bless You!
Tammy,
I totally agree with what Velma said, God did make us in His image with no mistakes. God bless you sister and thank you for sharing from your heart.
Oh how I really needed to see this today. I wrestle with this everyday. I am at the other extreme of very morbidly obese, a label that the world has stuck onto me and until now had not realised I said yes to. The word obese is such a harsh beast sounding word that has chiseled down my sense of self -worth and esteem. I have been living under the weight of this horid label that then removes the fact that I am a human being with feelings and dignity the Father yearns to give me. I too love nature and am soothed by it, and feel close to the Father heart of God through it. Today I hear again His love for me and the robing if his dignity over me, not the horrible cruel words, names, pointing and jeering from others and myself.
Thank you for writing this and thank you to my friend who listened to the prompts of the Holy Spirit to forward the link to me, fighting that fear it might hurt me or offend.
It is hard to forgive myself when I feel accuser point out, “Yeah, but you did this to yourself!!” But the truth if how God sees me and loves me in this place doesn’t change. Romans 8 “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.
Pls all pray for me. I have 100kg to still loose and Im working hard for slow progress. A strange request I know but I sure could do with sone prayer cover for me in the evening times. I luve alone but it’s when the cravings fir sugar are at it’s worst. It is really hard work to try undo the damage I have done. Lord, please help me and place it on oeoples hearts to pray for me. I want to do this for you and go on missions fir you but can’t if Im like this. This is what hurts the most. Thanks all. God bless. RR
I prayed for you just now R.R. that God would give you peace & calmness and distract you from the unhealthy foods you crave in the evening. I know what it’s like to have a sugar craving 24/7! It’s something I really struggle with too (it’s said to be as addictive as cocaine!). I am trying to eat “clean” by following the “Whole 30” eating plan designed to rid me of my cravings, feel healthier and fit. I love that your heart yearns for God & missions…but he can use you right where you’re at! And may your life be a testimony to His goodness & faithfulness, even in the battle you find yourself in right now.