Does anyone else have their mirror’s perimeter outlined with Bible verses?
What started as just a couple post-it notes quickly grew to overlapping sticky notes surrounding my entire mirror.
Who knew something that looks so cluttered could hold so much power.
I’ve noticed the words on a mirror trend in a lot of places. Old Navy’s dressing rooms say “You look good!” American Eagle/Aerie have posted encouraging quotes, and I’ve seen a lot of boutique stores hop on the “you are beautiful” mirror trend.
Whatever it is, it’s something written to the woman who probably needed some convincing to even take the chance of seeing herself in the mirror and trying that dress on. The unfortunate truth is, we hate ourselves. Harsh? Maybe. But I don’t know many women who are absolutely content with the way they are/the way they look– right now. From head to toe.
We’re either in the process of fixing something on our bodies or searching for material to cover it up until we have time to “fix it.”
Older women feel shame for the lined evidence that shows the years of wisdom they’ve lived and earned. Middle-aged women feel embarrassed about the physical proof that their bodies once did the amazing act of growing and delivering life, and some young women distort their growing bodies as something ugly and wrong rather than a healthy body growing the way God intended.
I wish I could say the first note on my mirror was something beautiful and impactful, but it was “don’t pick your face, stupid” written on a piece of computer paper and taped intentionally on the mirror so I couldn’t see my face. I was fifteen, and my acne showed it, and despite how many times my parents told me pinching my zits would only result in scarring, I couldn't help myself. So, that piece of paper served both as a blunt reminder and barrier for me to not touch what I couldn't see.
A little later, when I started my own rough body image journey, I was advised to put Psalm 139:14 on my mirror. “Therefore, I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” That sticky note traveled to every dorm room, college house, post-grad apartment and house– but it always just felt like words on a mirror.
Variations of my body looked at that verse– healthy versions, sick versions, weak versions, strong versions– and as much as I knew this verse was true, I didn’t understand or believe it for myself.
Any type of failure in my life was perceived as a consequence of an ugly body, and even standing in front of that mirror repeating that verse 10 times in 10 different ways, desperate for the truth in it to click, for some reason it never did.
Until it was accompanied by other true statements. The truth was, in my journey, I didn’t necessarily need to believe I was beautiful (though what woman doesn't want to believe she is), I needed to believe something deeper.
I needed to believe I was enough (Colossians 2:9-10), that I was loved (John 3:16), that I was chosen (1 Peter 2:9), what my identity was (John 1:12), that I was already complete and not lacking something good (Philippians 4:19), that I truly had no reason to be afraid (Joshua 1:9, Romans 8:28), and that whatever my future was, God was for me (Jeremiah 29:11).
As the list began to grow and the mirror got more crowded, these verses started to feel more personal, as though God was speaking to me. “The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).
Over the years, as I’ve gone through various seasons, I add verses that speak truth to whatever I’m going through, keeping them surrounded by the foundational ones that remind me who I ultimately am.
Recently, my favorite new addition is Psalm 143:8-9. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.”
My dad has always said, “life is unpredictable,” but recently that fact has felt heightened. Having no idea what’s going to happen in the future makes evenings feel overwhelming, and mornings feel heavy. Not knowing where, when or how God will provide for the near, unknown future forces my trust muscles to give it everything they got– not necessarily a bad thing.
When people ask, I have no idea where God will put me– in a lot of ways– but I know He knew these circumstances would happen, He wrote it all to be a part of my story (Psalm 139:16-17), and I know He loves me. God promises to take care of those He loves.
I have this verse on my mirror to read on those heavy mornings that while I don’t know where I’m going, God does, and I can trust His greater plan. He promises to provide for whatever His plan is, and He will never leave or forsake [you].
If you’ve felt like this, I want to encourage you with one more verse I’ve recently added to my mirror. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest” (John 10:10b). While we wait for clarity and unanswered prayers, that doesn't need to stop us from living the gift of a full life we’ve been given in Jesus.
I pray that whatever verses you need to hear right now, you will line your mirror with them so that everyday you’re reminded who you are, whose you are, and who goes before you. And also, to live.
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