Erin Stinson, in Mirror, Mirror, says: “Other people’s opinions and judgments of me are not what matter and certainly are not what should be shaping my self-image.”
Another powerful influence that contributes to the formation of our self- image is the propaganda in our culture that comes from such mediums as television, movies, magazines and music
Unfortunately we unconsciously buy into the lies that come from hurtful words spoken to us and the propaganda we are fed from our culture and by comparing ourselves with others. This contributes to negative thought patterns which form negative self- talk that can be very damaging to our self-image.
Self-image, according to Stinson, directly relates to our identity. I agree and therefore support the concept of “frisking our thoughts,” based on Philippians 4:8
“Whatever is true, good, pure, lovely, fix your thoughts on these things.”
Everything we read and hear and see ought to be filtered through the lens of the Holy Scriptures. This is also a basic step to discovering our “true self” as opposed to the “false self”, we normally identify with. We will follow this tread in future posts.
In concluding I want to say it was an interesting journeying with Erin in her search for “Christian identity and purpose in a fallen world.” Her book was very insightful and doctrinally sound. I learned a lot from it.
As we come to the end of our journey with her, I will leave with you the following conclusion she makes.
“I no longer have to look in the mirror, wondering who the woman staring back at me is. The apparently great mystery of life is not so difficult to uncover when I listen to God’s voice alone. I have realized anew how shallow and temporary worldly living is and will continue to challenge myself to reject it in order to live as God intended.
The more we focus on God the more we will understand ourselves. Living His way and following his commands is the only way to experience the full life that He has planned for us. Meditating on and studying His Word will help us to gain a deeper understanding of who He is. Instead of looking in the mirror and focusing on all our faults, imperfections, failures and weaknesses, it is time to wipe off all that is preventing us from being who God designed us to be.”
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25. NIV.
Until Next Time- Blessings!
Pastor Harold
