You are beautiful

This week's post comes from Salina at State of the Heart

Luke 16:15 "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight." (NIV)

We all like looking at pretty things; it’s hard to pass by a row of beautiful flowers without stopping to admire them, there’s nothing like seeing the look a groom gives his blushing bride, and sometimes that actor or actress on television or in a magazine draws our eyes for a second glance, but when it comes to true beauty where do we draw the line? Most of us probably struggle with self-worth, but whether the problem stems from worrying about our appearance, weight, or just overall negative thoughts we have about ourselves, it all combines to form an affliction that affects some women as badly as if they had a life threatening disease.

It’s true that the world has a preconceived notion of what it means to be beautiful, but as women when we believe we’re unable to live up to that notion, for some reason we feel like we're a failure. When we get to this point it's easy to allow someone else to tell us how we should look or how we’re supposed to feel. Before long, we start to believe the lies told about us, even if they come from our own subconscious. Listen to what Sharon Jaynes says in her book I’m Not Good Enough (& other lies women tell themselves) "The way you think about yourself will eventually become the way you see yourself, whether it’s true or false. If you tell yourself negative, distorted statements about yourself, you will act in negative, destructive ways."

I can guess what’s going through your mind right now. You’re sitting there thinking of sentences that start with "what if." What if I was prettier, funnier, slimmer, smarter, shorter, taller, or richer; this list could go on and on, but beloved God never intended for you to be perfect. In Luke 16:15 Jesus Himself said to us "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight." (NIV). When we choose to believe that beauty is only seen on the outside, we need to realize that these thoughts are nothing but hideous, ugly, revolting, and despicable in the eyes of God. He loves you and He wants you to give yourself a break. You are beautiful, you are smart, and you are strong.

You can be anything you want to be, but please don’t look at yourself through the eyes of men. God says He knows your heart, and you can believe He knows your value too. Sweetheart, hold your head high and put your trust in His truth. Learn to believe you’re beautiful just the way you are.

Please pray with me:

Father;
There are so many women out there who believe they fail to live up to what the world sets as a standard for being beautiful. My heart simply aches for them and I wish I could let them know otherwise.  Lord, I pray that You use me to help them look to You, their Maker and Designer, to remove these negative thoughts. Help them discover their true beauty and begin to love themselves as You love them. Encircle them in Your arms and allow them feel the comfort that only comes from You. 
In Your holy and precious name, Amen

I’m Not Good Enough..and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves – Sharon Jaynes pg 58-59 Harvest House Publishers Eugene, Oregon. 2009