Mirror, Mirror

by Christian Knox

next time you look in the mirror and start criticizing what you see, pause.

Two years ago, when I looked in the mirror, all I saw was a fat, aging woman. I believed there was more that God had for me, but I couldn’t imagine He would want to use me. My self-worth was entirely wrapped up in what I saw in that reflection, and I did not see someone made in God’s image.

Can anyone relate?

I’d been on and off diets for more than forty years—nothing ever worked. Exercise wasn’t the issue. I had started running with my dad when I was very young and had loved it ever since.

But two years ago, not only was the mirror not my friend—my knees had betrayed me. Carrying excess weight while running will do that to you. I finally decided to see a doctor.

The diagnosis? Knee surgery. The problem? My BMI was too high, which meant I wasn’t a candidate.

I wasn’t willing to give up running—it’s where I feel closest to God, surrounded by His creation. So, I was left with one option: get healthy once and for all.

That decision began a two-year journey. With the guidance of a personal trainer/nutritionist and the encouragement of my spiritual director, I started healing from the inside out—partnering with the Holy Spirit every step of the way. That inner healing began to show on the outside.

The good news: I no longer needed knee surgery. I was stronger, leaner, healthier, and able to run again. The hard part: the mirror.

Even after all the progress, I couldn’t see the woman I had become. I could only see who I used to be. I couldn’t see someone made in God’s image—just a fat, aging woman.

Evidently, I’m not alone. A government study found that only 3% of women are satisfied when they look in the mirror. But this was never God’s intention.

Genesis 1:26 tells us God made us in His image. He didn’t say we’d reflect His image only if we met the world’s standards—if our BMI was right, our hair was perfect, or our skin was flawless. He said we were made in His image.

That image isn’t about physical traits—it’s about His character. He made us to be people of love. To receive His love. To reflect His love to the world.

So, the next time you look in the mirror and start criticizing what you see, pause. Breathe deeply. Invite the Holy Spirit into that moment. And remember—you cannot see the image of God in a mirror. The image of God is within you.

His love is within you.

His peace is within you.

His grace is within you.

His beauty is within you.

It may sound cliché, but it’s true: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

And that mirror? It’s a liar.

Christian Knox is a wife, mother, and accomplished attorney who owns and operates her own legal practice. Through her writing, Christian offers readers an honest glimpse into her personal journey while inspiring others with her resilience and faith.