My momma had this little mirror in her purse that she used every single day. It wasn’t really a compact, but a simple mirror that slid out of a white plastic holder. She would use it to put on her lipstick or comb her hair. It wasn’t fancy by any means, but it was what she always looked for when she needed a mirror. In the past, Momma had been given some very decorative, stylish compacts with mirrors, but the white plastic one was her favorite. I can still envision her pulling out her mirror to redo her lipstick or check her hair.
Momma would often say, “Remember, whoever is looking in the mirror is looking back at you!” She would then say, “Isn’t she beautiful?,” talking about herself. Trust me, my mom wasn’t a vain person. She was very neat about her appearance and believed you should always try to look your best. However, she would tell me if you don’t feel good about yourself on the inside, you’ll never feel good about the outside no matter what you put on.
Wise words from a wise woman. How often have you put on an outfit that you thought looked great before, but this time because you felt frumpy on the inside it made you feel frumpy on the outside? What would happen if we started looking at ourselves the way God sees us rather than the way we see ourselves? Share on XWhat would happen if we started looking at ourselves the way God sees us rather than the way we see ourselves? Do we diminish God’s wisdom and authority when we complain about what we see as our imperfections? Are we saying we have more intelligence than God, and we think we could have done better? Do you ever compare yourself to others to make yourself feel better? I wish I could say I have never done any of these things, but the fact is I have done these things and worse!
I had fallen into the trap of trying to make myself beautiful on the outside when I was plain old ugly on the inside. I have a closet to prove it. I enjoy shopping for new clothes, but the clothes ended up owning me rather than me owning the clothes. They became an obsession and I turned them into a god. I fell for the enemy’s lies hook, line and sinker. All I was doing was trying to cover up the ugliness and discontentment of my own heart.
Every time I looked in the mirror I hated the person looking back more and more. I had made a mockery of God’s workmanship and who He truly created me to be. An outfit, job, make-up, jewels, car or house will never make you beautiful. When God created you, He didn’t make a mistake. He made a one of a kind work of His art that IS beautiful. God didn’t create us to be someone we are not. There is a saying, “Fake it till you make it!”, but you will never really make it as long as you are faking it. This world will always try to convince you that you are not enough, but God made you enough when He created you for His plan and purpose.
True beauty radiates from the inside out. A contented heart filled with the peace, love and joy of God will exude beauty in every aspect of our lives and shine on those around us. This allows us to look in the mirror even on those days when we are being challenged, and we can love the person looking back at us because we know we are loved for who God created us to be.
The next time you pull out your mirror, be confident in who God created you to be. You are the beloved daughter of a King chosen by Him and for Him! You are His reflection!
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. (Ps. 34:5)
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! (Ps. 139:13-16)
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Cor. 12:27)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Sam 16:7)
You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Is. 62:3
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands… (Is. 49:16)
The only thing God asks us to do is believe in Him and allow Him to change our heart. It is because of our relationship with God we can find our true beauty, which can outshine the sun. This is how we can look in the mirror and love the person looking back – by knowing who loved us first. Scripture defines the best outfit we can ever wear, and you will never feel frumpy looking in the mirror when you are wearing this every day.
I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding
or a bride with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10-11)
Sparkle on, my beloved friends…You are beautiful!
I’ve learned to accept and love who God created me to be, both inside and out!
Hi Susan!
It is freeing once we know who we are created to be. What a gift to know!
My sister-in-law and I were just discussing this last night it’s funny how often that disconnect between the way we see ourselves and reality is often in the spiritual.
Hi, Erin!
It is so true the enemy will do anything to try and diminish the good work of the Lord. We have to remember the mind is at enmity with the Lord. Our mind is a hostile place and this is the importance of taking every thought captive!
This is such a wonderful post and so necessary for each one of us to store in our heart!
Thank You Melissa! We have to be reminded the enemy wants everything stripped away from us to keep our focus anywhere but on the Father. We truly need to guard our heart.
What a great word about body image. I have been very mindful of the way I describe myself around my daughter! Thank you for this. We must look at ourselves the way Christ sees us and if we don’t like what we see, may we strive to be more like Him.
Hi, Jennifer!
I agree 100%. I believe it is so vital as women to stop the comparison game because nobody ever wins and we lose not only physically, but mentally and most of all spiritually! It also sends a message to our daughters they have to be something more than who God created them to be. It is the same with sons as well. It just becomes a vicious cycle.
Amen! I’m not always confident, but I try to remind myself that I can be.
Hi, Heather!
I understand the lack of confidence because the world is always trying to bring us down. However, God does give us all the confidence we need. We just have to ask 🙂
What a wonderful message! I love the idea of knowing the person in the mirror is looking back at you. Very inspiring to turn the perspective.
Hi, Katherine!
Thank You for your encouraging words! It really is about our perspective in how we believe God see us.
Interesting read and perspective. I will think about this question!
Hi, Brittany!
Thank You and I hope as you think about the question you truly believe and feel how beautiful God has created you to be!
“The only thing God asks us to do is believe in Him and allow Him to change our heart. It is because of our relationship with God we can find our true beauty, which can outshine the sun.”
I love this. God himself is what makes us beautiful!
Hi, Desiree!
I agree God is the one who makes us beautiful! I hope you keep these words close to your heart.
This post was very thought provoking as well as inspiring. You mom is a very wise person.
Hi Leslie,
I am glad you were inspired and my momma was the bravest and wisest person I’ll ever know! Thanks for your kind words!
I love this! What a great way to not only maintain your self-esteem but also show your kids that you value yourself.
Hi, Marcie!
You are right we need to be the examples and role models for our kids and those around us!
Sheila,
The moment I said yes to Jesus was also the first moment I ever felt complete, unconditional, love. I knew Jesus loved me for me and me alone. It was completely unexpected! It’s a moment I’ll never ever forget!
I like myself for the most part, but I also know I am still a work in progress. I’m so very thankful God never looks at me and thinks He’s finished.
He keeps chiseling away at the not so pretty inward flaws as he continues creating each one of us to be better and better representatives of who He is.
And, you, my sweet friend, are one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing! Inside and out, you are a work of art from the Creator of beauty and grace. <3
My dear Toni!
We will forever be works in progress, but it is good to know that God sees us as His beautiful children and loves us enough to allow us to become even more beautiful in His sight as we die to ourselves! Thank You for such beautiful and kind words. I am truly humbled! Love you!
Wow Sheila! This is awesome!
I can agree with your mother. I love me. It took me a long time to do so. You can not love other people properly until you love yourself.
Thank you beautiful friend. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Cathy,
I truly believe the enemy’s biggest tool he tries to use against us is to make us believe it is selfish to love who God created us to be. You are right until you feel loved you can’t love others to the full extent. I love you beautiful friend. <3
I love myself, but don’t always like who I see in the mirror. I forget to take care of myself. I’m too busy caring for others.
Hi, Heather!
I’m glad you love yourself, but you have to try to take care of yourself.Otherwise, we aren’t good to anyone. Stress makes all of us feel ugly when we look in the mirror. Praying you find some rest.
This is beautiful. I constantly have to remind myself that the girl in the mirror is beautiful no matter what. If only I could constantly see the beauty that shod knows He created.
Brittany,
Thank you for such kind words! You are beautiful in every way and don’t listen to the whispers of the enemy. You are precious to God!