Q: I look awful. Nothing I wear looks right. I’m so fat! There’s no way I’m going swimming this summer—everyone will laugh at me! If I only had Khakira’s body… What should I do?

A: It is almost impossible to look “perfect” like the girls on the cover magazines. Do you know why? Two main reasons: First, many of them are fighting anorexia, and second, the computer (photo retouching) has a lot to do with the way they look on the magazines. The media portrays a deceiving perception of what an ideal girl is. They apply pressure on you with titles like: “58 Sexy Swimsuits, The Best Shorts for Your Body, What’s Your Sex IQ. Where the Stars Shop” (from Teen People, May 2006).

BTW, now that you mention Shakira, look at what she said in her last cover interview with Teen People: “Computers are doing a great job of [making] the normal population think that you have to look like celebrities to be valued.”

Inner Beauty

The key here is what kind of perfection you want to achieve. The media points at your body’s shape and your pocket’s depth. That’s a tough test. But you, as a Christian, are very fortunate. You have Jesus, who looks at the beauty inside you. That’s the kind of beauty that matters. Your heart’s shape is way more important than your hips or belly. Your deep and clean thoughts are more valuable than your bank account. Your “wireless” communication with Jesus is better than the coolest smart phone out there.

Natalie LaRue, a contemporary Christian singer, quoted this verse some time ago: “Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).

Josue’s Pick: “What’s Real, What’s Ideal: Overcoming a Negative Body Image” by Brangien Davis. Hands On – Avoid watching shows that are too “Hollywoodish” and read about young women that made an actual difference in this world.

By Josue Sάnchez. Reprinted with permission from Canadian Adventist Messenger, June 2006. Copyright © 2006 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION ®