Upfront June 13, 2011 Issue

Loving yourself inside and out

Maike Byrd, Staff Editor

When you look at yourself in the mirror, do you see the beautiful expression of God that you are? Or are you tempted to see what seem to be imperfections and think, I’m too fat, too skinny, the wrong shape—and so on? 

The various social and cultural influences at work worldwide tend to pressure women and men to conform to material images of beauty and attractiveness, and to treat food as either a remedy or a curse. People can become so unhappy with their bodies that they will do anything to try to alter them. This might help explain, for example, an increased use of diet pills and a growing trend in plastic surgery among Brazilians (www.latina.com/lifestyle). And why, in America, where as much as 60 percent of the population are considered to be overweight, dieting has been called “a national pastime”. 

Of course, a healthy sense of balance when it comes to food and body is important. But what is it that truly satisfies? Consider what the Psalmist has to say: “As for me, I will see Your [God’s] face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake in Your likeness” (Ps. 17:15, NKJV). Awaking to our true identity in the likeness of God, of divine Love, we discover that we are loved because God loves us. We reflect God’s love. And as this week’s Sentinel’s cover story points out, “we can put down many unhealthy physical symptoms by being kind and loving to ourselves, to others, to our bodies, and by accepting God’s love and care for us” (p. 14). 

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Items of Interest

Researchers document changes to new testament texts