“Mirror, Mirror, on the wall…”
We all know this famous quote from the fairy tale story of snow white. We all look in the mirror everyday, sometimes 2, 3, or even 10 times a day to make sure we look decent. But what are we really looking at?
A mirror is a piece of glass that reflects an image. So when you look in a mirror, you are seeing an image of yourself. It’s not the real thing but a reflection of who you think you are. The information is not in what the mirror is actually reflecting back to you, but rather your interpretation of it. It’s an opinion. SAY WHAT? Yes, an opinion or interpretation.
Let me explain. People tend to see and hear what they want to see and hear. This is because the brain works by matching up items. For example, if you have been feeling sick or tired, the tendency is to search for matching criteria that will support this state. You will see yourself in the mirror with bags under your eyes or pale skin. You see, you choose what you want to see in that mirror!
So where do these opinions of ourselves come from? There are three views that influence what we see in the mirror. They are the world’s view, other’s view, and God’s view. The world’s view is based mostly on our outward appearance. With today’s media, movies, social media, etc., we have to have our hair, face and body perfect to be beautiful. Look at all the young girls that look up to celebrities as role models. Beauty is based on outward appearance.
Here is what the bible says about the world’s view:
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
1 John 2:15-17 (NLT) Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
Next, let’s look at other’s view. This is when you look at yourself in the mirror and you based your opinion on what others say about you. Maybe you had parents telling you that you were ugly or fat growing up or at school where you were made fun of. These words will make you start believing what they say about you when you look in the mirror. This can make you very self-conscience of what people think of you and cause you to become a people pleaser.
Did you know that what you see in the mirror is not what God sees? It’s your soul and your heart that makes you the person that you are. It says so in the bible:
Proverbs 27:19
– ““As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.”
Proverbs 23: 7 – “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
God sees our heart! Because He created us, He sees us as perfect. Why wouldn’t He since we are His creation and we are His children! His Word says we are his PRIZED POSSESSION!
James 1:18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession.
Psalms 139:13 & 14 For You formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well.
We need to see ourselves from God’s view because that is where we will know our true selves. If we see ourselves the way God sees us, than we will see boldness, confident and true beauty that can only come from God.
You are BEAUTIFUL!
