The fear of man lays a snare but whoever trusts in The Lord is safe. Proverbs 29:25 (ESV)

A few years ago I diligently watched the Today show #LoveYourSelfie series. If you missed it, the basic premise was to uncover ways to help solve our society’s prevalent struggle with body image. Some 91% of women admit to disliking or wanting to change at least one part of their body.

One day during the series, Dove unveiled data that showed nine out of ten women say that looking in the mirror in the morning is a discouraging experience. Many even confessed that their morning assessment in the looking glass would ruin their day.

I get it. I know the feeling.

Ever had an awkward pimple right between your eyebrows? Or, how about those surprising mornings during pregnancy where it seems you have doubled in size overnight? Maybe you know it too. . .

What am I saying? If the data is right, you definitely know it too!

Dove wants our experience with the mirror to be “positive.” The sentiment makes me feel warm and gooey like the inside of a cinnamon roll. I truly appreciate it.

But, like a warm hug after a big hurt, it only helps a little.

Friends, I think we need more solid answers. Women are literally drowning in this issue of body inferiority and our best answer is, “Just look in the mirror, more!” Or, worse, “Get naked and just accept what you see.”

Do we tell addicts to just get over their addictions? Is this really the most effective strategy we can come up with?

Yesterday I read the verse that begins this post. The fear of man lays a snare. . .

Beauty is a trap we are caught in.

We need a way out.

The great news is the Bible has an answer. It’s not “All women are beautiful” and it’s not “It’s what’s on the inside that counts.”

Freedom comes when we believe that our battle to be beautiful is a heart issue. Our salvation can liberate us from slavery to the mirror only when we admit that being 10 pounds thinner, 3 inches taller, or model-perfect–in anyway–will not offer us joy, peace, or any kind of lasting happiness.

We have to admit we are chasing beauty to find a way to escape from the pain of life here.

But, if we are honest, we also have to recognize that even the beautiful aren’t exempt from pain. Being the perfect size and shape doesn’t guarantee that your marriage will be smooth, your job will be easy or that your struggle, in any area, will be less than average.

In fact, just the opposite may be true. Ever read Us Weekly?

My dear friend, please stop looking in the mirror for answers that aren’t there. Believe salvation from your body image issues comes from greater trust in The Lord. Forget what everyone else says about beauty and how you measure up to its standards. This is the fear of man.

Keep your focus above.

Break free from the Beauty Trap by reading my new book, Compared to Who!

photo by freedigitalphotos.net

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