Magazine covers, billboards, and television screens—you can’t escape their screams–telling you how to look and dress, what size you should be. Living in a world filled with manipulated visuals of beauty is more than hard to swallow—it’s plastic, Photoshopped non-reality. The world’s view of beauty is downright unattainable and unreal—no wonder it’s extremely hard to see ourselves as beautiful.
“Do not confuse beauty with beautiful. Beautiful is a human judgment. Beauty is all. The difference is everything.” —Matthew Fox, actor on the Fox hit series “Lost.”
When I was playing around on my computer, I googled the word “beauty” and saw this meaning floating around in the online dictionary—
Beauty: plural –ties. 1. The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).
Interesting, huh? You don’t see anywhere in this definition a supermodel’s name under the word “beauty.” However at times we look in the mirror and fail to see ourselves. Instead we see who we want to be –supermodel so and so, our younger self, or a distorted image we have created in our minds takes over the mirror reflection. Don’t you think its time we opt for the clearer view—capturing our true beauty?
The first step to true beauty is changing our concept of the word—knowing that the source of beauty is created by God and that we are made in His image.
Take a few minutes out of your day today and step in front of the mirror (without any makeup) and say the following:
- I believe in me, because God believes in me and God don’t make no junk! This was part of a quote from years back and it’s as true today as it was way back when.
- My Father is enthralled with my beauty and sings over me with delight, therefore my face reflects His Glory.
- I am a divinely hand-sculpted masterpiece. I am fingerprinted body and soul by the most amazing Designer in the universe—none other than my Lord and Savior.
- I will not be squeezed by media propaganda—trying to tell me who I should be. My Lord has great plans for me—Hope, love and an eternal beautiful future.
- _______(put your name in the blank) was made on purpose for a purpose therefore I am highly favored by God.
- I believe I am truly uniquely crafted, with purpose. My Father is the potter and I am the clay—take away my self-center mindset and mold me God-centered to fulfill the destiny you’ve created me for.
- The comparison trap is a losing game I no longer want to participate in; so look out world, mama’s got a new set of eyes and they won’t be looking at you! (Not for approval that is)
- Today is a new day and I WILL rejoice and be glad in it. I am alive and living in the now—not who I was or what I use to look like. Aging is not a disease it is a privilege! Every day is a gift from God.
- I will smile as an embrace to the God who loves me!
Speaking of the smile factor, if you really want to look better work to do it more often. Here are several more grinning dividends:
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- Besides looking more attractive— you attract people. They will want to get to know, what is so good going on in your life. A frown will only bring others down.
- A smile can trick the body into changing your mood.
- It will brighten the room and others’ days.
- It boosts the immune system
- Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. In other words it makes us feel good and is a natural drug. It makes others feel good. It makes you feel good. With a simple lifting of the corners of your mouth it’s a win-win for everyone!
- It can shave ten years off you, by lifting your face muscles. Who would’ve thought a smile could be the alternative to plastic surgery!
- Smiling will help you stay positive. Go ahead and look in the mirror, now smile—keep smiling. Now, throw in a giggle. Just do it. I promise it will help lift your spirits
When you get to a place where negativity sets in as it will (we do live in a fallen world) just breathe in Scripture—God’s redeeming love and exhale the toxic overload of manipulating media and the devils lies.
Sometimes meditating on His Word will include a walk. Allow your pace and breathe take hold then introduce favorite Scriptures to calm the mind and rinse all worry and fear. Take in the beauty of the trees, the color of the sky, the lush green grass, the birds’ joyful hymn and the Master’s fine details of distinction.
Echoing the words of Dr. Seuss remember, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
You are a beauty by God.
©2009, Shelly Ballestero
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