Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

(From AOL News) SAO PAULO, Brazil (Nov. 16) -- A 21-year-old anorexic model who weighed only 88 pounds has died of generalized infection, a hospital said. The hospital said the infection that killed the 5-foot-8-inch model was caused by anorexia nervosa, a disorder characterized by an abnormal fear of becoming obese, an aversion to food and severe weight loss. The model's cousin, Dani Grimaldi, told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper that Reston also battled bulimia, an eating disorder marked by binge eating that is followed by vomiting or the use of laxatives.

-It seems like everywhere we look the media is posting their idea of the "ideal image". Often times that ideal image is ridilously unattainable and unimaginable for 99% of the normal population. I believe this model fell to the pressure of her industry which for years has been saying "skinnier is always better". As we see here, this is not always true.

So I ask this question: "Should we care about how we look?" The answer is Yes... but we should not be so consumed with our outward appearance that we ignore the things that truly matter. It is a healthy and good thing to take care of our bodies, strive to be healthy, exercise, watch what we eat, etc. - but we must always watch the line to make sure we don't go overboard. When we go to the point of throwing up what we eat, taking laxatives and dangerous diet pills, skipping meals, and hating what we see in the mirror we have DEFINITELY crossed the line. We should be able to look in the mirror and remember that whatever we look like we are still children of God made in his image. We must remind ourselves that God doesn't make junk. He carefully and purposefully made us like we are and he loves us no matter what we look like.

If you're struggling with these kinds of issues, I urge you to talk with your parents and try to get help. Don't be ashamed or embarrased. Don't blow off what you know is the right thing to do.

We love you all!

-Pastor Danny