There’s this funny thing about mirrors, they show us exactly what is in front of it, albeit reversed. There’s an even funnier thing with humans. Well see everything in the mirror exactly as it is. Except for one important thing, ourselves.

When I look in the mirror, I don’t see a 5’1 brown haired, blue-green eyed girl staring back. I never saw a good hair day or how my senior prom dress fit me like a glove. I don’t see a good athlete or a girl that tries to offer everyone a smile, even on her bad days. I see a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. I see a façade that I wear like a second skin. I see a failure, a disappointment. I see standards that I will never reach (not because I’m short). I see the shadows that I never find my way out of. I see my insecurities. I see the words that anyone has ever used to negatively describe me.

I’m not able to see myself like everyone else does. Sure I can list off physical characteristics about myself. I can tell you the good things I’ve heard people say about me. But I don’t take them to heart. I don’t believe the accolades. They were probably just being nice. Honestly, if it’s not about academic or athletic skills, it goes in one ear and out the other.

But regardless of the (obviously) broken mirror I see myself in or how anyone else sees me, there is one image that is as true as can be. I am a child of God; therefore, I am made in his image. Let me tie that into this article. My image mirrors God’s. Genesis 1:27 says “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he him, male and female created he them.” That’s straight from the Bible so it has to be true.

Print that verse out and tape it to your mirror as a reminder. You are not who see yourself as. You are not who others see you as. You are not who the world makes you out to be. You are made in God’s image. You are made to be who He has made you to be. It’s not easy to let go of worldly images of yourself. Know that you are not alone. Someone else is having similar thoughts when they look in a mirror. Just look at the verse and see yourself in the mirror of eternal life. See yourself loved by an ever present God who sees you as the wonderful person you are.