When my boys were young, they used to watch the cartoon series “He Man.” From those decades ago, the theme song still echoes in my head along with the picture of “He Man” standing with his sword stretched out above his head, proclaiming those words, “I have the power.”
While I may not have the kind of super-hero power that he possessed, I do have immense power to affect my spouse’s self-concepts. And now that I think about it, I may feel that I need some of those super-hero strengths because I am often times competing with a warped culture that holds its own powers of influence.
I am speaking this morning particularly about body image. You cannot turn on the T.V. or sit through a movie without hearing a very strong message. One that screams out – “Unless you look like (plug in some actor or super model’s name here), you are not good enough. And if you are not good enough, rest assured, your spouse will find someone better.” She may be someone half your age whose body hasn’t begun to sag yet or he may be the guy with the six-pack abs that look like they were purchased at the nearest fitness center.
And it isn’t just the media that creates this insecurity. When we drool at the image on the screen or our eyes follow the body walking down the street, we create it too. We contribute to our spouse’s not feeling “good enough” and their fears that we are on the hunt to find the “perfect body” that they are convinced that they are not.
We are in competition with a twisted, but powerful, culture in the battle for our partner’s heart and the safe and secure haven that we want to create for them. I don’t know about you, but I love my spouse as she is and desire for her to absolutely rest in that knowledge. This week, consider your words, your looks, and how you communicate those things that matter to your spouse. Because, “You have the power.”