Beauty Defined by God

As a young woman, I tend to focus on outward appearances. Thoughts go through my head of how I am not "pretty enough," "skinny enough," "fit enough," etc. At this point in my life as I am in my late twenties, I figured these self-doubts would end after high school or even college. Enough is enough!! No more putting myself down, I know that I am more than a physical face and body. I am a human, saved by grace, who struggles everyday with thoughts of inadequacy. "Could I have done something better? Can I change to make myself more of the things I listed above?" Because of my recent move, these thoughts tend to come more often. I suppose I feel this way because of my insecurities, lack of friends, and totally new environment, but that does not give me an excuse to feel this way!

In Christ I am:

Praiseworthy 

Proverbs 31:30

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, 

but a woman who fears the Lord, 

she shall be praised."

 

Beautiful

1 Peter 3:3-4

 "Do not let your adornment be merely outward—

arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—  

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, 

with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, 

which is very precious in the sight of God."

New Creation 

2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; 

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

 

Confident

2 Timothy 1:7

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, 

but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Worthy of Love 

Jeremiah 31:3

"The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: 

'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.'"

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Psalm 139:14a

"I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." 

Strong

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; 

do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, 

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Bold

Proverbs 28:1

"The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion."

Known

1 Corinthians 8:3

"But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him."

Priceless

Proverbs 31:10b

"For her worth is far above rubies"

Valued

Ephesians 2:4-7

"But God, who is rich in mercy, 

because of His great love with which He loved us,  

even when we were dead in trespasses, 

made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),  

and raised us up together,  

and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  

that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace 

in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus"

These words are so much better than a petty definition of beauty in the world today! I am all the above in Christ. This is beautiful to Him! I am standing on how God defines me, not the world. Satan uses our insecurities, but God uses our imperfections for His glory! Be blessed and if you ever doubt yourself, know that you are loved by the God who gave up His only Son's life for you!