Hey Everyone,
In order to avoid derailing another thread, I wanted to start a separate discussion as to how different people define taking care of oneself vs. plain old vanity.
I had mentioned in another thread that due to health issues in my past, I had problems with large, boil-like breakouts on my face. After many years of battling this, I was left with some red spots and scars--that I personally choose to cover up with makeup.
I also had a lot of work done on my teeth--partly for health reasons (correcting an overbite), and partly for what some would see as pure vanity (correcting discolorations.) I grew up in an era of toothpaste commercials that were fixated on telling people that it was absolutely vital to get rid of any tartar stains on their teeth. One day at school, a popular boy announced to me in front of everyone, "You know, if you actually brushed your teeth... you could get rid of those tartar stains."
The "stains" on my teeth were actually just their natural color. The dentist told my mom that my birth mother probably became very ill or took certain medications while carrying me, and this caused the marbled discolorations on my teeth.
And so, when I got older, I chose to "fix" this. Like most other people, I had an entire list of things I wanted to "fix", such as being Asian, because I was tired of people slanting their eyes at me and calling me "The Little Chinese Girl". (Just the other day, a co-worker asked, "Are you from Japan or China?" because, as we all know, there are only two Asian countries in the entire world.
)
I used to daydream about getting blue contacts, dyeing my hair blonde, and having my eyes "fixed" (which over 90% of women do in Korea) so that they were "round" and not "slanted". When I was around 12-18 years old, if I would have had unlimited funds, I would have begged my parents to do anything they could to make me look "white" like them. (I am adopted.)
Clearly, there were lines here between taking care of myself, correcting some things I was uncomfortable with, and all-out vanity.
I've met Christians who will automatically call "The Vanity Card" on anyone who does anything to change their "natural" self, including wearing makeup, dyeing their hair, having dental work done, or maintaining a hairstyle that requires more than just a comb. Some Christians say exercise is wrong because it's putting too much emphasis on the physical body, which is just a shell that will pass away.
However, something I always want to say to people who believe that (and it's not necessarily wrong) is, "What are you doing personally to help prevent/correct the bullying/criticism that goes on that makes people feel as if they have to change themselves? If you say, 'Your identity in Christ is enough,' then, what are you doing to help someone become comfortable enough in their faith to not feel the pressure of 'vanity'?" I understand there is a balance and that Christ should be our #1 priority. But I also personally believe that as a Christian, I have a personal responsibility to look out for those who bullied, especially when it comes to looks. (I'm guilty of being on both sides and hope God is continually working on me about that.)
Where are your personal limits between self-care and vanity?
As singles (though married are welcome to answer too), I think there is a special twist to this question, because most of us understand that in order to attract a future spouse, we have to maintain ourselves and keep ourselves looking good. As holy as people try to be, physical appearance still matters. So... how much attention should we pay to our physical appearance, and where are the limits as to what we can change?
This discussion is meant to be about your own personal convictions, beliefs, and observations only. I would like to ask that we refrain from criticizing others' beliefs and treat all answers as a statement of one's own personal walk with God.
Thanks so much for your consideration and I'm looking forward to your answers!
In order to avoid derailing another thread, I wanted to start a separate discussion as to how different people define taking care of oneself vs. plain old vanity.
I had mentioned in another thread that due to health issues in my past, I had problems with large, boil-like breakouts on my face. After many years of battling this, I was left with some red spots and scars--that I personally choose to cover up with makeup.
I also had a lot of work done on my teeth--partly for health reasons (correcting an overbite), and partly for what some would see as pure vanity (correcting discolorations.) I grew up in an era of toothpaste commercials that were fixated on telling people that it was absolutely vital to get rid of any tartar stains on their teeth. One day at school, a popular boy announced to me in front of everyone, "You know, if you actually brushed your teeth... you could get rid of those tartar stains."
The "stains" on my teeth were actually just their natural color. The dentist told my mom that my birth mother probably became very ill or took certain medications while carrying me, and this caused the marbled discolorations on my teeth.
And so, when I got older, I chose to "fix" this. Like most other people, I had an entire list of things I wanted to "fix", such as being Asian, because I was tired of people slanting their eyes at me and calling me "The Little Chinese Girl". (Just the other day, a co-worker asked, "Are you from Japan or China?" because, as we all know, there are only two Asian countries in the entire world.
)I used to daydream about getting blue contacts, dyeing my hair blonde, and having my eyes "fixed" (which over 90% of women do in Korea) so that they were "round" and not "slanted". When I was around 12-18 years old, if I would have had unlimited funds, I would have begged my parents to do anything they could to make me look "white" like them. (I am adopted.)
Clearly, there were lines here between taking care of myself, correcting some things I was uncomfortable with, and all-out vanity.
I've met Christians who will automatically call "The Vanity Card" on anyone who does anything to change their "natural" self, including wearing makeup, dyeing their hair, having dental work done, or maintaining a hairstyle that requires more than just a comb. Some Christians say exercise is wrong because it's putting too much emphasis on the physical body, which is just a shell that will pass away.
However, something I always want to say to people who believe that (and it's not necessarily wrong) is, "What are you doing personally to help prevent/correct the bullying/criticism that goes on that makes people feel as if they have to change themselves? If you say, 'Your identity in Christ is enough,' then, what are you doing to help someone become comfortable enough in their faith to not feel the pressure of 'vanity'?" I understand there is a balance and that Christ should be our #1 priority. But I also personally believe that as a Christian, I have a personal responsibility to look out for those who bullied, especially when it comes to looks. (I'm guilty of being on both sides and hope God is continually working on me about that.)
Where are your personal limits between self-care and vanity?
As singles (though married are welcome to answer too), I think there is a special twist to this question, because most of us understand that in order to attract a future spouse, we have to maintain ourselves and keep ourselves looking good. As holy as people try to be, physical appearance still matters. So... how much attention should we pay to our physical appearance, and where are the limits as to what we can change?
This discussion is meant to be about your own personal convictions, beliefs, and observations only. I would like to ask that we refrain from criticizing others' beliefs and treat all answers as a statement of one's own personal walk with God.
Thanks so much for your consideration and I'm looking forward to your answers!
