In His Image...

Body image is a huge issue in our culture. it seems like every single day I hear someone talking about all of the imperfections they can find. Whether they don’t wear a size zero or they can’t find jeans to fit both their waist and hips, their nose is too long or their eyes too far apart, or their hair is too frizzy, it is a constant struggle for one to not find at least one flaw.

But let me tell you something: not one thing about you is a mistake. You bear the image of God! You are a direct image of God to your world! Your personality. Your face shape. Your height. Your smile. Your hair. Your legs. The color of your skin. The size of your waist. Your laugh. Your freckles. It was all a part of your beautiful and perfect design! He did not make one mistake when creating you!

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” - Genesis 1:27

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” - Psalm 139:13-16

When you look into the mirror, what do you see? Do you see what God sees? Or does the critic within you take over your thoughts?

I unfortunately know the feeling of the inner critic too well. But I decided a long time ago that no matter how many flaws I could find, I will stand on God’s truths alone. I will be a woman of dignity. I could care less if the culture around me defines me as beautiful or valuable. All I desire is for God to look down at my heart and be joyful. Character, dignity, and valor are beautiful. Vanity, pride, and conceit is not. No one can define you. Only God has that power.

If you are struggling with body image please remember that you are not alone. This culture has trained us to only care about our outward appearance, but God has called us to care about our heart and character. I want to challenge you to step out today. Wear less makeup, embrace your natural hair, or dress in something you wouldn’t normally be comfortable in. Look in the mirror and declare over yourself “I am God‘s creation. I am wonderfully and beautifully made. Today, I choose to be confident as myself.” Submerge your mind in God’s truths about you. Let Him embrace you in His love.