Beyond the Mirror: Finding Your True Worthنموونە

We give others enormous power to shape how we see ourselves–often without realizing it. Take social media, for example—a simple thumbs up can make our day, while a thumbs down can send us spiraling into self-doubt. Meanwhile, our soul is ultimately left searching for the true answer of whether or not we are good enough.

When we allow our self-image to hang on what others say about us, what we see in the mirror, or what culture defines for us, we live unsteady and constantly conflicted. One day we may actually feel great about ourselves—centered, confident, able to stick to our decisions without second-guessing. Other days we shrink into a level of self-consciousness that makes us want to disappear.

But what if I told you that Scripture offers a completely different way to think about ourselves? It has nothing to do with how we look, but rather, how we smell.

2 Corinthians 2:15 says, "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (NIV)

Think about the power of scent. A beautiful aroma can draw people across a crowded room, while a terrible odor can clear the space instantly. How others experience us—and how we experience ourselves—works the same way.

I often underestimate this power—until I catch a whiff of something so rancid my stomach starts heaving, or quite the opposite; something so alluring that I instantly stop what I'm doing to find where the glorious aroma is coming from. I naturally want to move closer to it.

This completely flips the script. Instead of exhausting ourselves trying to look attractive for likes and validation, what if we focused on being the kind of person others want to be around, that we ourselves want to be around? What if we shifted our focus from our appearance to our presence?

This, my friends, is the picture the verse paints to help us grasp the power we have right now—not to gain accolades or temporary validation, but to live in such a way that our worth is never in question, leaving others desiring to experience the glory of Christ in us.

What would it look like for you to focus on yesterday’s truth—that you are made in the image of God and you are very good—and show up as a 'pleasing aroma' in every situation you encounter today, knowing your worth is not in question?

Let’s end today in prayer.

Dear God, I confess I can quickly and overly fixate on my appearance, with little regard to my presence. Yet, you’ve given me power to influence others to be drawn to you by being a pleasant aroma in how I act and treat others and myself. Help me truly believe my worth isn’t in question. Please reshape my perceptions of myself to make room for this truth. Thank you for listening and caring about my struggles with my self and body image. Amen.

Tomorrow we will explore how we go about shifting our focus from appearance to presence.