Have You Tried Everything? A Biblical Way to Improve Your Body ImageSample

Image Issues

We’ve all been there. You’re laughing, talking, and having a great time... then someone pulls out their phone and says, “Let’s take a picture!”

I throw on some lip gloss and pray I don’t have to be the person on the end. I fumble to find the most slimming pose. I feel okay about the experience until the photo-taking friend texts the picture to the group.Oh, please! No one post that on Instagram!

One glimpse of the photo, and my mind races to another world. I plot my body makeover. I obviously need to start a new plan. (Monday, of course.) I wish there were a way to “accidentally” delete that photo from everyone’s phone!

When I begin to dwell on what I look like, sound like, or what others think of me, it becomes impossible to enjoy the company of others. Fears around my image spoil the party.

There’s a group of people in the Bible who excelled at image management, believing it was their path to righteousness. The Pharisees were most concerned about how they looked to others. They were obvious when they fasted (Matthew 6:16). They prayed bold and loud prayers so everyone could hear them and be impressed. And they followed all the rules. They were quite proud of their ability to live clean and “holy” lives. They wanted everyone to believe they were flawless.

I’ve thought (too often) that if I could just get it all together, I wouldn’t brag like those Pharisees. I just wanted to stop stressing about my body. Life would be more comfortable and enjoyable if I could just be happy with myself. As soon as I love how I look, I’ll be free!

But, the Pharisees had a problem. Their outsides didn’t match what was on the inside. Similarly, our struggle with photos encapsulates a larger issue. We dissect our image from the real us. When I confuse who I am with my image, I objectify myself. I see myself one-dimensionally, as a body only, and not as a whole person—with a mind, emotions, spirit, and soul.

At the heart of every struggle is the tension between who we are and who we want to be. It’s the battle between an image we curate and our authentic self. Healing comes not through perfecting your image but through changing your perspective.