We wake up each morning and face the inner critic in the mirror. Even though we look into the glass without thinking twice, our reflection can dictate how we approach the rest of the day. The wrinkles around our mouth, the bags under our eyes, the rough skin on our hands; these little imperfections spring into our minds before we can stop them, and the initial thrill of a new day can quickly vanish.
That mirror, however, shows just the surface. We look at the pieces, rather than the whole. We may rely on the standards of those around us to determine how we feel about our bodies — inside and out.
How can we look past these supposed flaws? To start, look to God.
God created us with a purpose — to spread his love to the world. Instead of looking to our weaknesses, we should instead appreciate and nurture the natural strength of our bodies.
Embrace His Divine Design
We often see our bodies as a collection of bits and pieces, like a puzzle that doesn’t quite fit together. You may have dad’s big nose, grandma’s frizzy hair or mom’s quirky laugh. But God created us from a much greater template.
Ephesians 4:15-16 teaches us:
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
You see, God created us out of love and planted within us the strength to not only live, but also thrive.
Find Beauty in Your Inner Strength
While you may not be able to see your strength in the mirror, it shows itself through your personal challenges and accomplishments.
You are more than what you see in the mirror, and certainly more than what your inner critic identifies as a “weakness.” Sometimes, accepting that your flaws are part of what makes you “you” can also help you shift your focus on your inner strengths.
This can be true during a health challenge or during a journey through recovery. Focus on what you can do, and always hold your hope to persevere to be the best version of yourself that you can be.
When you feel challenged to channel your inner strength, look to these words from Corinthians 6:19-20:
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
We earn our courage by trusting in the gifts that God has given us. God challenges us in order to show just how much strength we really possess. Our bodies carry the memory of Christ, and His sacrifice remains present in every single one of us. Use the obstacles that arise before you, no matter how big or small, to grow your faith in your own power and spirit.
Look at Your Whole-Person Health
Tomorrow when you wake up and step in front of the mirror, close your eyes and repeat these words from Philippians 4:13 to remind you of your place in God’s heart:
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Learn more about our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ with whole-person care.
