Beautiful
I recently heard the song "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction (don't judge. I like boy bands). I'm only a little ashamed that I've listened to it a few hundred times...but not really, because it's an awesome song. And not just because it's catchy and I like dancing to it in my car, but because of the message. I love what these boys are saying to girls and women. This song can be sung from a few perspectives - from a boy crushing on a girl, from a father to a daughter, and, my personal favorite - from God to His daughters. I think whether or not these teenage boys meant to be His messengers is beside the point - God's message is getting across. Before you keep reading - go listen to the song here.
Women seem to have this ongoing issue with insecurity - it hasn't really changed as time has gone on, and different body types/hair styles/skin color/etc. have changed. It is rare for any female to have not gone through being self-conscious, whether it's just a "stage" for a few years or an ongoing thing. I'm pretty sure it's ongoing for everyone, but seeing as I'm just one person I can't be the judge of that. I know I've struggled with constantly comparing myself with many other women - am I too short? too tall? need to gain a few pounds? need to lose a few pounds? need to tone certain areas? do I need a new hairstyle? new clothes? do I really need to run 25 miles a week to feel comfortable with my body? It's not something that I've "figured out" an answer to and been successful in. Some days I feel like the prettiest girl in the world, and some days I feel like the ugliest. It's normal to have this struggle - but it is important to find peace with it.
I think it's kind of funny how styles really do change - back in the day being pale and plump meant you were wealthy, and being tan and fit was a sign of poverty. Today, magazines can destroy any normal woman's security by showing skinny gorgeous women. We're supposed to envy these women who don't eat, work out constantly, get plastic surgery, and are airbrushed. We're told we have to "airbrush" ourselves with makeup and wear these "body shapers" under our clothes to fit the picture. To be beautiful. And I want to add a little side-note - I used to think once I had a boyfriend, my insecurities would fly out the window, because then SOMEBODY would think I was beautiful (besides the typical mom, dad, and grandparents), but that is not true!!! I may not be trying to "catch" a guy, or even impress a guy, but I still want people to think I'm pretty. And I still struggle from time to time.
These are just 2 things God has to say about beauty:
1 Peter 3:3-4: Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
Proverbs 31:30: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
One of my favorite chapters is Proverbs 31. It's talking about how to be a wife of noble character, but I really think it applies to ALL women - single or married. It's about character, not about physical attractiveness. The most beautiful women I know and I strive to be like may or may not have the attributes that the world defines as "beautiful." Ah, but they are wise, patient, hard workers, and oh so loving of every person they come across. Everyone loves them, and they are absolutely beautiful.
I also love the line the song has "You don't know you're beautiful - that's what makes you beautiful." I think modesty and humbleness really accentuates the radiance people give off. Women who live their life according to "if you got it, flaunt it," or in general make it clear they know they're beautiful (by the world's terms - not God's), don't really seem that beautiful. Similarly, people who are beautiful by the world's standards and are rude, mean, or have a bad attitude, don't really seem all that beautiful (just watch Toddler's & Tiara's ;). Just a thought.
Whether or not you have a few "rolls" here or there, pimples that may occasionally pop up, white as snow skin, a little bit of (gasp) cellulite, or frizzy hair - YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. Listen to "What Makes You Beautiful" and envision your father or your (other) Father singing it to you (your relationship with your dad is parallel and very similar to yours with God). Our time on earth is fleeting - just a speck of sand in comparison to eternity with Jesus. Do you really want to define and change who YOU are by this corrupt world? Or by God's perfect, forever love?
Don't let standards, boys, popularity, bikinis, workouts, or makeup define your beauty. Let God define it - and you'll finally see yourself for how He sees you - absolutely, wonderfully, and truly beautiful.
Women seem to have this ongoing issue with insecurity - it hasn't really changed as time has gone on, and different body types/hair styles/skin color/etc. have changed. It is rare for any female to have not gone through being self-conscious, whether it's just a "stage" for a few years or an ongoing thing. I'm pretty sure it's ongoing for everyone, but seeing as I'm just one person I can't be the judge of that. I know I've struggled with constantly comparing myself with many other women - am I too short? too tall? need to gain a few pounds? need to lose a few pounds? need to tone certain areas? do I need a new hairstyle? new clothes? do I really need to run 25 miles a week to feel comfortable with my body? It's not something that I've "figured out" an answer to and been successful in. Some days I feel like the prettiest girl in the world, and some days I feel like the ugliest. It's normal to have this struggle - but it is important to find peace with it.
I think it's kind of funny how styles really do change - back in the day being pale and plump meant you were wealthy, and being tan and fit was a sign of poverty. Today, magazines can destroy any normal woman's security by showing skinny gorgeous women. We're supposed to envy these women who don't eat, work out constantly, get plastic surgery, and are airbrushed. We're told we have to "airbrush" ourselves with makeup and wear these "body shapers" under our clothes to fit the picture. To be beautiful. And I want to add a little side-note - I used to think once I had a boyfriend, my insecurities would fly out the window, because then SOMEBODY would think I was beautiful (besides the typical mom, dad, and grandparents), but that is not true!!! I may not be trying to "catch" a guy, or even impress a guy, but I still want people to think I'm pretty. And I still struggle from time to time.
These are just 2 things God has to say about beauty:
1 Peter 3:3-4: Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
Proverbs 31:30: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
One of my favorite chapters is Proverbs 31. It's talking about how to be a wife of noble character, but I really think it applies to ALL women - single or married. It's about character, not about physical attractiveness. The most beautiful women I know and I strive to be like may or may not have the attributes that the world defines as "beautiful." Ah, but they are wise, patient, hard workers, and oh so loving of every person they come across. Everyone loves them, and they are absolutely beautiful.
I also love the line the song has "You don't know you're beautiful - that's what makes you beautiful." I think modesty and humbleness really accentuates the radiance people give off. Women who live their life according to "if you got it, flaunt it," or in general make it clear they know they're beautiful (by the world's terms - not God's), don't really seem that beautiful. Similarly, people who are beautiful by the world's standards and are rude, mean, or have a bad attitude, don't really seem all that beautiful (just watch Toddler's & Tiara's ;). Just a thought.
Whether or not you have a few "rolls" here or there, pimples that may occasionally pop up, white as snow skin, a little bit of (gasp) cellulite, or frizzy hair - YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. Listen to "What Makes You Beautiful" and envision your father or your (other) Father singing it to you (your relationship with your dad is parallel and very similar to yours with God). Our time on earth is fleeting - just a speck of sand in comparison to eternity with Jesus. Do you really want to define and change who YOU are by this corrupt world? Or by God's perfect, forever love?
Don't let standards, boys, popularity, bikinis, workouts, or makeup define your beauty. Let God define it - and you'll finally see yourself for how He sees you - absolutely, wonderfully, and truly beautiful.
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