I smiled as I walked into a public bathroom and saw my reflection in the mirror. I didn't particularly like what I saw and wondered, "Who is that guy?" Tired eyes, sagging chin, a few stray hairs on my head. Was I expecting to see the 20-something version of myself? I was smiling because a humorous thought struck me: "I don't think this mirror is accurate!"
Has God ever allowed you to see a reflection of something in yourself that you don't like, about which you find yourself thinking, "That's not true!" Do mirrors lie? I don't think so. Even when the image that they reflect isn't what we hope to see, it's what is there.
God never shows us unsavory things about us to shame us. When He shows us unwholesome things, it is only to show us so He can transform us into something far more beautiful. Short of plastic surgery, you and I won't look any better on the outside, but boy oh boy, we sure can look more beautiful on the inside and when that happens, we won't be able to conceal the brilliance of the "Jesus shine" from making its way through our eyes.
So, the next time you see something about yourself that you don't like, own it and invite God into it. Maybe you'll find yourself praying something like this: "Father, yuck! This is ugly. I wish it weren't so, but it is. It's staring me in the face. Again! I invite you into this ugliness. Please transform me into the beauty of Jesus and let that beauty shine out to others for Your glory!" Amen?