The mirror was my enemy.
Signs of aging caused the insecurities I had about my looks to intensify. Drooping skin, sagging eyes, changing skin texture. All these things disconcerted me. I ventured out in public no more than necessary.
I had been accustomed to people telling me how beautiful my skin was or how pretty I was. Cosmetic sales ladies clamored for the chance to demonstrate their products. Now when I walked into a department store, none of them noticed me. My self-worth plummeted. Alone and divorced, my hopes of ever finding someone greatly diminished. No one looked at me. And the mirror told why.
Experiencing mild depression, I withdrew from the beautiful fellowship I had with the Lord. Was I angry at Him? Did I blame Him for the cruelty of Mother Nature? At times, I think so, but I thank Him for loving me so much that He never left me.
Being the loving God He is, He drew me back to Himself and reminded me that true beauty lies within. I didn’t need to worry about whether someone would ever love me. He wanted me to focus on Him and His love, allowing Him to develop the beauty within for whatever purpose He had for my life.
Peter reminds us that Satan tries to focus us on the externals: fancy nails, makeup, body shape, hairstyles. He wants us to believe our self-image rides on how we feel about our physical beauty. As a result, we neglect what is important: developing the inner beauty that is more precious to God. The kind of beauty that changes lives and impacts the world for Christ.
Now when I look in the mirror, I see myself through the eyes of God’s love, His delight, and His perspective on beauty. I no longer feel unattractive. The light of His beauty shines through me as I re-engage with the world around me.
The mirror is once again my friend—not because of what I see, but because of the value I now ascribe to the image staring back at me. A beauty that deepens as I draw closer to the Lord.
Find your beauty on the inside through your relationship with a God who loves you for whom He created you to be.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Sharon Smalls Floyd is an inspirational writer who lives in the Atlanta, GA, area. She enjoys spending time with her best friend and husband, Luther. She has a heart for hurting people and feels called to write words that encourage, edify, and enlighten the reader.