In Western culture, it’s one of the greatest challenges to possess a healthy self-image, let alone, a healthy attitude toward food and weight issues. Practically everything we’re presented with, image-wise, is manipulated, altered or photo-shopped to some perceived perfect standard. However, when it’s presented to us, often there is no mention of the factor that there was massive airbrushing, strategic posed angles, light and camera tricks galore. No, the subtle message, more often than not, tends to be, “this is reality.” But it’s not.
·
Nemeroff,
Stein, Diehl, and Smolak suggest that males may be receiving increasing
media messages regarding dieting, and ideal of muscularity, and plastic surgery
options (such a pectoral and calf implants).
·
DiDomenico
and Andersen found that magazines targeted primarily to women included a
greater number of articles and advertisements aimed at weight reduction (e.g.,
diet, calories) and those targeted at men contained more shape articles and
advertisements (e.g., fitness, weight lifting, body building, or muscle
toning). The magazines most read by females ages 18-24 had 10 times more diet
content than those most popular among men in the same age group.
We’re image
obsessed. We fret over the outward appearance, often choosing to sacrifice the
unseen, like our souls: our mind, our will and our emotions. But God sees and
values us, in our entirety.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do
not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the
things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”
1 Samuel 16:7
The inner
workings don’t disqualify us from His Love and Esteem, even if they don’t fit
some temporary image trend. You are more than your body; you are more than the
sum total of your features. And God’s not intimidated by the more vulnerable
inner reality, even if/when you try to project an image of masculinity,
strength and invincibility. Challenge what is being presented to you. Is it a
sales pitch, disguised as an unrealistic Charles Atlas standard?
Where is
your focus- on the outward presentation or on the inner reality? It’s not
hopeless. Just realize, whether it’s image manipulation, your uniqueness or God
Himself, there’s more going on than meets the eye. There is the heart of the
matter.
Copyright © 2014 by Sheryle Cruse
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