For some reason, the world today defines for us what beauty is and what it is not. We are constantly bombarded with images of what we should look like, how we should be dressing, what to paint our faces with, and what size of pants we should be wearing. What’s funny is that these standards are constantly changing from time to time and from culture to culture! So why do we rely on these unstable images of beauty? Why do we let them determine our value and worth? What is the real, never-changing definition of beauty?
I struggled with this for a long time as a teenager. I constantly felt down because I wasn’t fitting the standards of beauty I saw on TV and on social media. Everyone seemed to be prettier, skinnier, and simply better than me. I constantly complained about being “fat” and “ugly”. I never let myself leave the house without wearing excessive makeup and I even resorted to unhealthy practices in attempt to lose weight. I knew I couldn’t be accepted for they way I looked because that just wasn’t good enough.
It all changed for me at a summer youth camp where I learned that beauty comes from the inside. I had a camp counselor who was an amazingly confident young woman with a strong belief in God. She taught us that “the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). One night she sang the song “I Am His Daughter” (linked below) and testified of our innate beauty as God’s daughters. I felt the truth of her message so strongly. It no longer mattered to me what my outward appearance was, I wanted God to be able to look on my heart and find true beauty there.
To all of you who struggle with body image, remember that you are a child of God! He created you! Every time you put down your body and complain about its shape or size, you are disrespecting a creation of God! Our Heavenly Father thought you were so wonderful that you deserved a body that can do so many marvelous things! It is a miracle that we can speak, breathe, walk, smell, jump, think, and so much more! We should be inexplicably grateful for the chance God gave us to enjoy these amazing bodies He has given us. They are gifts from Our Supreme Creator who loves us.
If you struggle with accepting your body as beautiful, start today by making the commitment to never say anything negative about your body EVER. No matter how mad you may be about the way that swimsuit just doesn’t fit you or how jealous you may be of those skinny yoga girls, don’t say it. Remind yourself every time a negative thought about your body comes into your head that it isn’t from God. Satan wants us to disrespect and devalue our bodies, but we can’t give in. This takes practice. Believe me, I know. But I also know that if you do this, you will find a beautiful confidence and peaceful relationship with God. This will make you more attractive than any amount of make-up ever can.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!
❤Shelby
Read more about ways to find beauty in your own body here
