What do you see when you look into a mirror, and more importantly; how do you interpret what you see?

I know each of us do this 🙂  No one knows us like we do ourselves, so we have a very keen, critical, and mostly judgmental view toward what is starring back at us in the reflection.

You see wrinkles and defects that no one else even knows or recognizes are there.  Only you can look deep into your eyes and see all the thoughts you possess or have imagined – taking at least some solace and comfort in knowing others aren’t capable of seeing that flawed part of who you really are at times within your own mind.

You are the only one who was physically and mental present during each thought, action, or inaction throughout your entire life – making the image you see in the mirror crystal-clear to you.  You see it all, and most of us don’t really like what we see.

Each of us has things we see or know about ourselves that others don’t know or see and isn’t it funny how knowing this simple fact negatively impacts our self-image – believing we are fake and not authentic.  If others could only see what we see, they wouldn’t like us, want to be around us, or remain in relationship with us any longer.

Sometimes what we see in the mirror isn’t really there.  We were told by someone we loved, admired, or trusted the horrible things they see about us when they look at us, and unfortunately, we believed them.  We incorporated their view of who we are, and now when we look in the mirror, we falsely and incorrectly see the same thing they think makes us ugly, unworthy, and detestable.

Has this ever happened to you?  Have you ever thought like this?

If you have, I’m challenging you to see yourself in the light of truth.  Not my truth, but God’s truth, and here is how you can begin:

Look at Yourself as Two versus One

“Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day…. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.   For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16 & 18 NIV

The truth is we aren’t one singular being.  We have two very distinct sides – one physical and one spiritual.  A side of us that is mortal and a side of us that is eternal. When we look in a mirror, we tend to focus on the physical, tangible body we view before us.  In reality, this is only the outer shell.

The Bible refers to this as the outer and inner man.  Proverbs 20:27, Ephesians 3:16, 1 Samuel 16:7, and Matthew 26:41 are just a few examples in the Scriptures where you will find references to the two sides of our being.  You may have heard the term “the flesh” – referring to the physical, temporal, carnal aspects of our nature.  The physical body and mind are limited, flawed and mortal.  This mortal nature is what ironically drives us to only see one side of us. 

Subconsciously, our physical mind knows that it (along with our body) will eventually die.  The only way the body and mind survive, the only way they satisfy their desires and needs, is to sway us into believing they are all we have.  If this happens, the ego becomes stronger and the mind and body work in unison to meet all our physical needs and desires – diminishing and discounting the spiritual side of our being.      

Who we truly are, that part of us that makes us unique, special and different from everyone else ever created, is the invisible part of us that isn’t seen.  Because it is invisible, we fail to see it or realize it is there.  By not SEEING our spiritual side when we look in a mirror, we dismiss the very essence of who we are!

If two individuals died and we had the ability to dissect the bodies, we would find so many similarities.  Each would have a heart, liver, lungs, a brain, etc.  But we would never be able to physically see or hold the part of them that made them the individual they were!  If I died and you were to dissect my body, you would never be able to find and hold the part of me that loves to write, take photos of the outdoors, or enjoys hiking.

You wouldn’t be able to see the part of me that loves chocolate, hates creamed corn, or enjoys listening to all forms of music.  What makes me (and YOU) who we are is spiritual, invisible, and eternal 🙂

Look in a mirror each day and SEE this side of who you are deep, deep inside of you.  Believe it is your true self – the person God created in His own image, perfect, without flaw, and uniquely created to fulfill a very distinct, special purpose here!

This part of you (the REAL you) doesn’t have wrinkles, isn’t overweight, or doesn’t look unhealthy.  It is infinite, limitless, and has no imperfections.  This part of you is where peace resides, where wisdom is found, and where life and energy abound! 

You will begin to see yourself differently if you look beyond the physical and embrace the spiritual part of you!

Begin to Feed and Nurture the Real You

Just as you know you must feed the physical body to survive and sleep to rest the physical mind, you begin to realize you must take time to feed your spiritual side.  When it becomes stronger and more vibrant, you SEE it more!  The more you see it, the more you connect with your true self 🙂

“Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  – Jesus speaking in Matthew 4:4 NIV

Prayer, meditation, and reflection on the Scriptures feed the Spirit.  This side of us diminishes and weakens when we fail to nurture it.  Is it no wonder then how we can feel restless, without peace, lonely, depressed, and lost at times!  When this happens, we should see it as a sign that we are not caring for, feeding and nurturing the true nature of our being.

Feeding the spiritual side of your being has so many wonderful consequences!

You begin to recognize when the physical mind is swaying your thoughts and distracting your viewpoint.  You begin to understand where true wisdom resides, not from the mind, but from within.

You have more empathy toward your physical, human nature.  You understand that the wrinkles, the age, and the health-related problems are only temporary and don’t ultimately define who you are.

You tend to treat the body more tenderly – eating good things, getting more exercise, and observing what you watch and absorb, all in an effort to make sure the physical mind and body are capable of allowing you to fulfill your divine/spiritual purpose here – a destiny that is yours alone to accomplish!

You forgive yourself and others more, knowing there is a side of us that isn’t perfect, but more importantly, connecting with the fact that each and every one of us is absolutely identical deep inside – perfect and flawless in every way.

 You see…feeding the REAL you helps you to see both sides of you 🙂

Like I mentioned earlier, this isn’t the objective of the physical mind and body.  It wants you to see ONLY what you can see tangibly, naturally, and with your physical eyes.  This exemplifies, exalts, and promotes the ego – the outer man.  If our physical mind can trick us into believing this – it reigns supreme, survives, and gets its way.  The flaws, imperfections, and faulty thoughts begin to take over.  We see this tangible, physical life as all we will ever have and possess.

But the more you feed, recognize, and nurture the inner man, the more you SEE and UNDERSTAND both sides of you.  You are more capable and equipped to live a peaceful and productive life!  You have more joy, more happiness, less worry, and less doubt.

Starting today, I hope you begin looking in a mirror and seeing the REAL you 🙂 When you do, the physical, tangible, and temporal things we deal with day to day will take on a whole new meaning.  Look hard and SEE that invisible part of who you really are!  When you are feeling sick and unhealthy – SEE the real part of you that is infinite and without end.  When you sense fear and doubt – SEE the inner place deep inside where wisdom and understanding thrive – where peace abounds!  When you feel ugly and different from everyone else – SEE the real part of you that is identical to everyone else around you!

Today, put up a sign on the bathroom mirror that says, “Are you seeing the REAL you?”

Then, start observing the beauty and appreciating the miracle of who you really are, and watch how your life begins to change 🙂

God bless!