Continue with: Young People Ask?/Am I Obsessed With My Appearance

5. Which expression best describes your feelings?

* Negative body image.  (Example:  "Every time I look in the mirror, I think that I see an obese, hideous figure. I've even starved myself in an effort to lose weight." -Serena.)

* Balanced body image. (Example: "There's always going to be something we don't like about our appearance, but some things we just need to accept. It's silly to be anxious about something we can't change." -Natanya.) 

The Bible tells us not to think more of ourselves "than it is necessary to think."  (Romans 12:3) So it's proper-even necessary-to think about yourself to a degree.  That's way, for example, you brush your teeth and give attention to your hygiene. 

What, though, if you frequently get discouraged over your body image-perhaps to the point of being obsessed about it? If that's the case, you might wonder . . .

'Why do I have a negative body image?

* Influence of the media.  "Young people are bombarded with images that make us feel that we have to be super-skinny and gorgeous at all times.  As a result, if we're anything less than perfect, we feel disgusting!" -Kelly. 

Note: The media is vain group of people that think that everyone has to be perfect. That is certainly not the case.  We cannot and are not perfect, because  of Adam and Eve who disobeyed God. They are our ancestors.  God made each of us with our own particular bodies and our own particular personalities, and are meant to stay that way. but we also need to be sensible, honest and kind  to others-that should be a part of our personality, but we cannot be perfect, none of us. Don't do not listen to these people.  

 * Influence of parent.  "I've noticed that if a mother is obsessed with her body image, often the daughter views herself the same way. It can be the same with fathers and sons." -Rita. 

Note: Again, that is vanity and God disapproves of vanity, and too much pride, and people who think too much of themselves. You do not need to copy your parent in that way. It is good to have good hygiene and be neat, but you need to go too far. 

* Low self-esteem.  "People who are obsessed  with their body image constantly demand positive reinforcement from others about how they look. It gets tiring to be around that!" -Jeanne. 

Regardless of the cause, you might be asking . . . 

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