I absolutely hate taking pictures. Actually, let’s rephrase that. I absolutely hate having pictures taken of me. I, like many women, have the occasional gripe about my appearance in the morning, and I don’t always think the woman staring back at me in the mirror is unattractive. So, it must be something about the flat, slightly washed out, one-dimensional self-portraits that bring out the negative self-talk. “My face looks fat! Those dark circles are horrible. Oh, wow! Is my forehead really that high? Great. I didn’t capture my good side. I really wish I could fix that crooked tooth!” Self-hatred brings on a whole new meaning when the flash has gone off, and that awful picture has been tagged on Facebook.
And don’t expect to ever see a selfie of this girl! The self-hatred and negative comments about my freckles, forehead, nose, you name it; definitely outnumber any enhancements or filters Beauty Box or Instagram have to offer.
The issue of self-love and peace with our flaws, is not a new one. A newfound friend and fellow blogger, even posed the same question on her site this week.
So, when does self-love begin? When do we, do I, start making peace with the perceived flaws I think I possess?
We love because he loves us first. 1 John 4:19
Because he first loved us. That’s right. God loves us. Even in the midst of all my self-potrait hatred, there is one who thinks I am beautiful-God. The one who made me. The one who knows every bone in my body, and sculpted me from nothing to something. The one who thinks my crooked teeth, upturned nose, and freckled cheeks are awesome.
Then why can’t I make peace with the face in the mirror, and love these things about myself? To find peace, maybe it’s time to stop allowing the devil to control my mind with these self-loathing thoughts, and look in the mirror knowing this truth:
God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female. Genesis 1:27
God created me in HIS image. So, how could I possibly look at the face in the mirror and feel anything but love for what I see? Knowing that God thought I was, we were, special enough to be fashioned into His likeness should help us make peace with who we see in the mirror, in family photos, or in Facebook selfies.
Every bump, every scar, every freckle is completely perfect to God. We are handcrafted by our maker, something the world, Photoshop, and Instagram effects and filters will never accomplish! God wants us to claim the truth that we are beautiful, and to recognize that all of our perceived flaws are all part of His perfect love. Down to double chins, upturned noses, thick eyebrows, and crooked teeth. The molding of all our “imperfect” parts was not an accident!
So, take out the camera. Turn on the flash, and SMILE!
Make peace with the face in the mirror, and remember: God loves you. Freckles and all!
Straight Up: Messy Truth 
Wow…gr8 msg dear …Thank you for sharing this with us…love n hugs, Neeky
Thanks for stopping by and reading! It’s so easy to forget that God made us all splendidly beautiful!
Peace and blessings to you,
January
Yes! We are created in his image. Amen.
This is encouraging and a fun read. Be blessed and encouraged mighty woman of God!!
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Blessings to you as well,
January
I thank you very much for your post because this is something I go through almost EVERY time I take a picture. It’s a wonderful reminder that God finds us all beautiful.
So glad you were encouraged. I am hoping that as I become peaceful with who I am, my hate for pictures subsides as well! Thanks for reading!
Blessings,
January
I really needed to read this, thank you for sharing! ~Mara (OBS small Group 30)
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Blessings, January
OMGoodness!! I feel the exact same way and I thought it was cuz it was handed down to me from my mother who to this day will tell you not take her picture. I’ve often said the girl in the mirror is not the same girl in the picture. The girl in the mirror is not half bad—but what is that “thing” in the picture?! Totally feel you on this girl and for me it all boils down to what someone might say. Awesome post, great message and so important to know we are loved just the way we are by our Creator!! Thanks for sharing!! Blessings to you sister!!
Trish (Blog Hop Team)
Goodness, my mom is the same way too! It could very well be genetic! Thanks for reading! Blessings to you! January