Self-esteem. It's a big issue, isn't it? I've wondered if maybe this is a subject that might be too risky for me. Not because I don't believe what I'm about to write, but because often times I forget, and refuse to believe it.
Sometimes I have those days where I just feel like the ugliest thing that ever stepped onto this planet, and some days I feel really pretty. But, to tell you the truth, it's not very often that I feel this way. Sometimes I just feel like every other girl I see has it way better than I do when it comes to looks. Sometimes I feel like I'm the plainest girl around. And no matter how many times people might compliment me in a day [if they ever do, for that matter], or how many times some random guy will whistle at me while walking down the streets of Nicaragua, if I don't feel beautiful, no one else is going to convince me otherwise. The fact is that Hollywood doesn't help very much either. Having people say that if you're not a size two, you're just plain ole' "fat" does not help people's self-esteem. Or mine. Having people tell me that I dress like a "granny" because I don't show so much skin is not something I want to hear. And, yeah, sure, I have pimples too! But I don't need people telling me that my face is revolting because of that fact. I can pretty much do that job myself.
But, you know, I've come to realize that I'm not the only person in this world that feels that way. I know some of the most beautiful girls, both inside and out, think that they're ugly, or fat, or strange. I honestly believe that this kind of thinking is dangerous for our physical, emotional and spiritual welfare. I've come across several verses in the Bible that speak of our image, and I just wanted to share a couple with you.
For example, 1st Peter 3:3-4 [NIV] says "Braiding your hair doesn't make you beautiful. Wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes doesn't make you beautiful. Instead, your beauty comes from inside you. It is the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Beauty like that doesn't fade away. God places great value on it."
So, you see, God doesn't think that what you look like or what you wear is what makes you and I beautiful. He says that it's the inside that counts. I often forget that. It's so hard not to think of what you look like, because that's what everyone sees first. But, truth be told, in the end, it's not what you look like that counts. Now, let's see, if you were eighty, I don't think that people would comment on your looks. Or, maybe they would if you really took care of yourself, but honestly...Anyway, I think that if you worked on the way that you are internally, then people will see your true beauty. Even at that age, if you've worked on the way you act and the way that you are as a person, I believe that you'll be radiating beauty. I truly believe that with my whole heart.
Something else that really means a lot to me is what Genesis 1:27 [NIV] says. "God created man in His own likeness..." Now, if you really think about this statement, then you'd realize how clear it is. I mean, seriously. It says that we're created in GOD'S image. To me, that is beautiful. I find it so incredibly awesome that you and I are created in His image. In my opinion, God is beautiful. I think that He's the most beautiful person ever. What about you? What do you think? You know, when we call ourselves ugly in appearance, or we call each other ugly, in reality, even if we don't realize it, we're calling God ugly. That's something I'm always forgetting. I don't think my Creator is ugly, at all. I think He's the most wonderful person ever. Something else that makes my heart skip a beat are the following words: "God saw everything that He had made, and it was very good." (Gen. 1:31 [NIV]) He believes that everything He made is good, and I'm one of those things, and so are you!!! I just have to keep this in mind the next time I see myself in the mirror on one of those bad days. I have to remember that He wants me to be more concerned with my inward appearance than my outward, but that He still thinks I'm beautiful! And, truth be told, His opinion is the only one that matters in this world.
