It is not how you look

From the time we were children, we were judged by our appearance.  As we grew, we learned to turn to magazine images, television, and movie stars to show us what we should look like.  When we didn't measure up to their standards, depression would set in.  Take heart!  Other people may look at our outward appearance, but God looks at our hearts.  It's His desire for us to be freed from the bondage of caring too much about what we look like.  When you take a look in the mirror, look beyond the "trees" as II Corinthians 10:7 (MSG) says "You stare and stare at the obvious, but you can't see the forest for the trees".  Don't worry about how chubby your thighs look or the protrusion in your mid-section.  And when a few pounds come off, enjoy the new look - but don't place too much confidence in it.  Instead, look at all of the amazing things the Lord has accomplished in your life and in the lives of those around you.  There's so much to celebrate!

A Simple prayer:

Lord, please deliver me from caring too much about how I look.  Take the air-brushed magazine images out of my head and give me a healthy image of how I should look, based solely on Your design for my life and body.  ~Amen

That "new look" can often be fleeting. And when looking in the mirror, I have to remind myself that we all have different perceptions of what we see. If someone says I am cute- I look, but don't always see what they see. I know what I feel on the inside (and boy, can it change) and I am often left wondering how I can step out of that and see through another's eyes.