God Thinks You're Beautiful

Just flip through a few television channels and it’s easy to see that our culture is obsessed with beauty. Stars get plastic surgery before they grace the red carpet. Makeover shows transform lives and faces. Miss America crowns one girl the fairest of them all. From the time we are young girls we wonder how we fit into all of this fuss about beauty.

I clearly remember changing outfits at least ten times the evening before the first day of school in fourth grade. I would put one on, parade in front of my parents, and then rush back to my room to stare in the mirror. None of them seemed quite right. I was a wallflower who got few compliments.

The next morning I woke up to find a note beside my bed. It said, “The outfit looks great and so do you. Love, Dad.” I don’t even think he knew which outfit I ended up choosing. It didn’t matter. I belonged to him and that made me beautiful in his eyes no matter what I was wearing.

Our Heavenly Father feels the same way about us. He created us and regardless of what the world may try to tell us, He thinks we’re beautiful. I attended a conference taught by writer and women’s ministry leader Bekah Mulvaney. She talked about women’s search for acceptance and how she is learning to embrace God’s view of her.

Then she said something I'll never forget, “When I look in the mirror I see my imperfections. When God looks at me He probably thinks I’m adorable! After all, he made this nose, these eyes, and my heart.”

The biblical book of Song of Solomon is thought by most scholars to be a picture of Christ and His relationship with us. Over and over the lover he says words to his beloved like, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me” (Song of Solomon 2:10).

Angela Thomas explores this more in depth through her book, Do You Think I’m Beautiful? The Question Every Woman Asks. She also shares how we can respond to our desire for beauty. She says:

“If the question, ‘Do you think I’m beautiful?’ came attached to my soul, then maybe the answer wasn’t ever meant to fully come from this world. Maybe the purpose of the question is to take me by the hand and walk me into the presence of the Creator. My soul cries out and asks me the questions meant to lead me to God. Maybe all that really matters is what He thinks of me.”

Whether we obsess about it or ignore it, we’re made to know we’re beautiful. That truth can ultimately only come from God. He’s waiting to speak to our hearts the words we’ve always longed to hear…

You are beautiful.

 

Comments

[Cathy Davis]

He's trying to get me to know this! He loves me, accepts me, thinks I'm beautiful, affirms me, thinks I'm adorable and quirky. I don't have to look for His acceptance; I just have to ... well...accept it.

Thank you Holley for the timely message. God has used you as His messenger today!

[Linda]

Thanks, Holley. Good reminder before I come to AR this weekend. :) Recently when I struggling about an outfit I prayed that God would have my face radiate with His glory so they (and I)wouldn't focus on whether it was the "right" outfit or an "in" enough outfit, but rather see His glory. Fear of man causes trepidation, walking in God's approval brings peace.

[Jennifer Saake (a.k.a. InfertilityMom)]

This would make a fantastic post for my InnerBeautyGirlz blog! Let me know if you would ever like to post a guest blog there. :)

[Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect]

Thanks, Holley. I know I need to hear that. And remember it.

[jane]

thanks, this post makes me feel beautiful :)

[ginny martyn]

I just went shopping with my mother today, and while that sounds fun the practical side of dressing room mirrors just makes me...sigh.

I needed to hear this today. Thanks a million!