I’m an honest girl, and I’m going to be authentic with the world today, like I preach and encourage others to do all the time! So here you go. Today, I’m struggling with accepting my own beauty. I know and believe that beauty is a reflection of what fills my heart. I know it and try my very best to live it each day! I would love to tell you that any time I struggle with my own self-sabotaging thoughts or body image issues, and have a deep longing to feel beautiful, that God fills me. I don’t feel that way, but the truth is, he actually does! Whenever I look up. Whenever I’m paying attention, there he is, waiting, whispering to me. The problem is, I haven’t been blocking the nice words, focusing too much on self, and that’s on me.

I bet no one else notices that my teeth are a little crooked, that my face looks a tad lopsided as a grow older, or that I’ve put on some weight no matter how much I work out or track my calories. So yes, lately, I’ve had to remind myself of two things, 1) who I am in Christ and 2) that my body deserves a break.

• It has birthed a beautiful child.
• It has run a half marathon and endures bootcamp 3 hours a week.
• It has moved all over the place, unpacking, hauling, pulling, carrying many things for our family at a moments notice.
• It stays up late, cleans the house, cooks meals, takes care of sick people, and tends to boo-boos of a little person.
• It prays hard and talks with friends near and far at all hours of the day and night, who need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on.
• It has been exceedingly resilient lately with MS, giving me NO problems, but only helping tell me when I am off course.
• It has been beautiful to me all of these years, always responding to whatever is thrown its way without complaint.
• My earthly beauty is defined by the fact that I am God’s daughter, a child of the most high King. And he made me just as he wants me to be.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. -2 Cor 4:16

I will give slow, steady reverence to God, knowing my worth comes from him alone. It’s hard sometimes, but it’s not a matter of if it can be done, it’s just a matter of remembering whose I am, and then, oh hey, believing it. I believe. Thanks for the reminder, Lord that you are in love with me, the person. Not me, the fake supermodel. I needed that pep talk. Maybe you do too! Write yourself out a list of what your body has done for you. It’s impressive! A real list, not just a list in your head. Ok, now read it out loud to yourself, and then read it every day this week in the morning until you really believe it! God is crazy about you, and he’s ready and waiting to give you all the pep talking you need. Ignore the voices of the devil in moments when you feel weak, when you hear the voice that says, “you’re not strong enough, not pretty enough, not good enough,” and listen oh so carefully to the whispers of the Lord instead. They will come if you are listening, I promise.

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. -1 Peter 3:4

Michelle