Beauty Beyond Compare
How many times have you tried to find your hope in your physical appearance? Do you often find yourself seeking approval, acceptance and love from those you desire to impress? How many times have you looked in the mirror and wished you can change that one thing about yourself? I have heard so many girls in my life say horrible things about themselves, including myself. Is this self deprecating talk good for our hearts?
In my life, I have absolutely struggled with my appearance. This led to eating disorders trying to make myself pretty... But no matter how much weight I lost, I was never happy with who I was. I was looking to my friends and to boys just to make myself feel better. I would say I was ugly just to hear I was beautiful, but deep down it never made me feel better. Every time I tried to make myself feel better, I only felt guilty. I knew I was seeking attention from others and it was not healthy.
Insecurities are normal. However, it isn’t healthy to constantly dwell on them. In my life, there were often times that this would be all I would think about. I would obsess over my looks. I would spend an hour or more a day trying to change who I was through makeup and clothing. There is nothing wrong with makeup or wearing nice things, but you do have to evaluate your reason why. Are you dressing a certain way or wearing makeup because you believe the lie that this is what makes you beautiful or worthwhile? Your beauty does not come from what you do or don’t do. It comes from the fact that you were created by a perfect God who doesn’t make mistakes and is crazy about you just the way you are.
Beautiful girl, let me tell you... Your identity is not that perfect outfit, it’s not having the perfect hair or the perfect nose. Your identity is in Christ. You do not need those clothes that only make you feel happy for a day, or the nails that will last you two weeks. You need to look at yourself and see Christ shining through you. You were designed by a Father who thought of each and every little thing starting with your heart and your soul.
I still struggle everyday when I look in that mirror. You know what though? That is not what matters. Our beauty lies within us. How could we think of ourselves so terribly when such an amazing God created us? Should we be healthy? Absolutely. But that does not mean that we must be perfect like the world tells us. Don’t listen to the lie. Listen to the truth. Here are some truths that have helped me:
1 Peter :3-4 says “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”
Psalm 139:14 says “ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
1 Samuel 16:7 says “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
You are loved. You are valuable. You are cherished. You are beautiful. You are forgiven. You are redeemed by the Blood of Christ.