How Does God See You
by Mike Warthen, Chaplain
Physical appearance matters in contemporary society. Ethnic groups continue to bear the consequences of blatant and willful discrimination, generations after the ratification of the Emancipation Proclamation. When hate crimes are committed against people based on their color or ethnicity, the media arrives like an invading army securing a beach in some distant land. When gender differences are printed or quoted, women’s advocacy groups rise to the occasion to proclaim their equality. When animals are neglected or forced from their natural habitat, animal rights activists rally to their defense by chaining themselves to rocks and trees in order to protect burrows, forests, nests, beaches and streams.
The obese of contemporary society are not quite as fortunate. No one chains themselves to barricades blocking the drive-thru at Burger King. When was the last time Hollywood’s brightest stars stood in front of a pizza buffet to issue a plea to help the patrons inside? The fact is that people who are obese find themselves fading into the twisted fabric of indifference that covers the walls and darkens the windows that separate us. The fat kid is relinquished to the role of comic relief when he passes gas at an inappropriate moment. The obese are treated as unintelligent and unimportant in the business world. The fashion industry doesn’t consider the “plus sizes” a profitable market, so the obese are separated from the petite shoppers. The “Big and Tall” shops are across the street from the fashion square mall.
Unfortunately, many suffering from the disease of obesity have bought into this  stereotype that is so prevalent in American society. They have adopted a warped image of themselves and their contribution to their world. Those who have chosen the “easy way out” of this health crisis, via bariatric surgery, are in the process of a difficult transition. Many still see themselves as a part of a tapestry that is discarded by mainstream society.
Wherever you are in the process of significant weight loss, be encouraged that God sees your heart. It may be a while before you are able to improve how you view yourself, but if you begin to see yourself as God sees you, you may be less concerned with how others see you.
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