If God teaches us to love ourselves just as we are, what about appearance enhancements such as cosmetics and plastic surgery?

I don’t know of a passage which states we should “love ourselves just as we are,” although there are quite a few that proclaim that God loves us in that way. I believe there is a world of difference between the two concepts. As for “appearance enhancements,” I believe that it is, in large part, a heart and faith issue, and needs to be approached with lots of prayer and listening to God.

In Matthew 6, Jesus says, “…don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than clothes?” As the passage continues, he reminds his hearers that they are MORE valuable than the beautiful birds or flowers, and that God will provide for them.

The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy to instruct his church that “women should dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” (1 Timothy 2:9-10) [Italics mine]

So, from my reading of these verses, there are at least two “test questions” when someone is considering any kind of extra external procedures or “enhancements.”

1. Are you responding to some kind of fear or worry (social, physical, material)? Is taking the contemplated action an act of FAITH, or an act of FEAR? Does the action require you to rely more on God, or less? Is it giving the superficial, external parts of you more importance than your (potentially) beautiful, admirable character?
2. Is the enhancement you are choosing done with a mind toward comparison or competition with other people? Is it immodest (meaning are you seeking the attention of the opposite sex?)? Is it done with an eye toward impressing others–male or female? Does it take away from resources and time that you could offer to God to help Him take care of others who are hungry and hurting?

If you are a lover of Christ, the question will not be “What do I want,” but “what does Christ want for me.” I think there are a variety of answers, just as there are a variety of believers.