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By: Charlene Evans

A makeover is a term applied to changing one’s appearance, sometimes through cosmetics. Makeovers can range from something as simple as a new haircut, to the use of cosmetic surgery like a face-lift or nose job.

As we get older, our physical appearance changes. You may begin to notice wrinkles on your face, stretch marks if you have either gained weight or had a baby, your hair may become thin or your eyesight may begin to decline. Honestly, it is countless ways our bodies change as we get older and some changes we experience the same whether male or female and some are just unique to both genders. Either way, we can not escape the process of aging but don’t tell that to our modern day doctors who perform millions of plastic surgeries a year.

There is constant scrutiny from the media and press on celebrities to make them conform to a certain look that they constitute as “acceptable” or the “standard.” Unfortunately, many of us who admire celebrities find ourselves doing the same thing; crumbling under pressure to look a certain way. As a result, the plastic surgery industry is a multi-million dollar industry that caters to many people, whether you are a celebrity or not, who all want to change a physical trait. Yes, not all plastic surgey is bad because there are cases where women have suffered from back problems due to their breast size. However, what I am talking about is reasons of vanity, meaning “excessive pride in one’s appearance.”

So, after the extreme change has taken place through surgery, are we happy? Is that it? Or does it only satisfy us for a moment until we find something else, then back to the surgeon! This “fix” is very expensive and most, at best, can not afford this option so they make the change spending within their means but either way, there is a cost associated to that change.

I wonder how many of those “makeover” sessions are a result of something deeper than the outer appearance that has been blamed for an issue that is internal and not external? I know you have heard it countless times, “I am so unhappy with myself; I have been so stressed out lately, I have gain so much weight especially in my stomach area, so I am going to get a tummy tuck. I just don’t have the time to lose the weight and everything I have tried has not worked,” OR, “I have self-esteem issues due to my nose being so big. I have been self-conscious about it all my life starting from when I was a child. I would get teased all the time so once I get my nose job, I will have my self-esteem back!”

Believe it or not, many people do feel like a makeover can solve all of their problems because they have associated their happiness to the external change that has caused them grief. Now, I do realize that not all makeovers are associated with “self-esteem” issues. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving your image a change or a “boost” as some would put it.

But I am going to challenge you to ask yourself, not your friends or your family members, what is the real reason why I want to change the appearance of the way I look? Is this change associated to something I saw on someone? Is this change still within the norm of something I would do or am I going through an “identity crisis?” Do I know who I AM and is this decision based on the pressures of society to “look” a certain way in order to feel accepted?

We must be careful about the emphasize we place on the outer appearance. The Bible tells us that “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4. Peter was simply saying that the beauty of your “spirit” is precious to God. Knowing who you are in God and reflecting HIS love is beautiful and the most important “makeover” we could ever have! The internal change of how we view ourselves will produce an external result and that is what people see past the makeup, hair styles and wardrobe.

So, you wanna get a makeover…Okay, that’s fine…just remember, before you change ANYTHING, please know that you are God’s “masterpiece” and perfect in HIS sight. HE loves you just the way you are because HE created you! The approval of GOD should always be more important to you than the approval of another person….now, do you still want that “makeover?”