Mirror Image

 

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Satan's Lies

Look in the mirror. Who do you see? What would be your 1-word description?

Do any of the following mean anything? Unwanted. Uninvited. Substitute. Unwelcome. 

No? Great. God has blessed you with confidence and acceptance in your life. And that's wonderful.

However, in the article, Global Crisis of Self-Esteem: An Epidemic Affecting Humanity, approximately 85% of adults suffer from low self-worth, affecting perception, values, and abilities. A person might be incredibly gifted, but if their self-perception is suffering, they will likely brush off their ability to create as not that big a deal and never realize the potential their special abilities might await them (Enhance Healing, Henshaw, 2025).

Scripture tells us, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7a) and also, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits" (Proverbs 18:21).

Struggles with that person in the mirror don't begin at birth. They are fostered over time, seemingly reinforced by others' responses and reactions to situations that deepen the wound. Each time the mirror image is faced, there is a little more distortion until one day, it is viewed with disdain and condemnation.

For some, this is remedied by intentional positive self-talk. For some, positive self-talk is merely behavior modification, but doesn't change the way their heart perceives them. This group of people will need to dig around to find the root cause of their faulty belief system. This person may love God but doubt His love fully. They may hear words of affirmation, cling to them, and as the words fade into memory, find themselves battling the same insecurities they grew up with.

For example, there was a girl who in Kindergarten was teased by other girls in the school bathroom because she was wearing glasses. A few years later, perhaps at 8 years old, she befriended the neighbor across the street. Days later, the friend met this girl at the door, refusing to welcome her in, saying, "My best friend and I had a fight. We're back together again, so we don't need you." The girl walked back home, heartbroken. Message received. Uninvited.

God's TRUTH

Years passed, and the girl grew into a young woman. At 21 years of age, she paid her best friend's family a visit at the funeral home where her friend's body was on display. Anyone who would come in contact with the young woman would let her know they were sorry, but their circle of friends was full. Uninvited. 

More years rolled by, until one day the woman realized she had many friendly encounters but sadly no close friends. She didn't trust ... even God's friendship. His words to her were true, but how deep did they go? If she truly fell into His arms, would he catch her, or let her know He's too busy caring for his other precious children?

The woman had a decision to make. Trust or continue to hold her King at arm's length? Take the risk, or play it safe and miss out on something truly beautiful and full of wonder?

The choice is easy. The execution of that decision, not so much.

Sometimes it is important to go back to that initial wound and tell that little girl, "It's okay. You are beautiful." Forgive the other girls who, at 5, had no idea what they were doing. And move on to the next one. Tell the 8-year-old she's got a fantastic friend in Jesus who will never turn His back on her. Tell her she's wanted. Hold the 21-year-old until the tears run dry and let her know she's got someone to talk to about her dreams and aspirations. She's not alone.

Jesus holds out His hand to his daughters every day. He longs to carry the burdens and strengthen His daughters. He told his disciples, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

The Bible is filled with truths of God's thoughts towards His creation. What would happen if His daughters began to stand on these words and believed Him? At the end of the day, there is only One who can turn the broken-hearted into joy-filled kingdom women.

Together, let's step into His cleansing words of Truth. 💕 And one day, the mirror image perception will fall into line with God's word. All for His glory!

Until next time, Karlene J 💝