I have always been sensitive to beautiful things. Though, when I was younger, my scope was so limited by the lies and boundaries of beauty set forth by popular society.
There was little redeeming beauty I felt about myself, which made it all the harder to deeply appreciate what shone from others. I would instead compare, berating myself.
A dangerous game.
Years of eating “issues”, bodily abuse, programs, and programs and programs to lose weight. To finally be beautiful.
To finally add value to our society
I was so wrong, so misguided. My beauty has NOTHING to do with looks, and NEITHER does yours! I promise~
Because it is true, looks are fleeting. My best assets are moving south (my eyes, people)
Beautiful comes from within.
It reminds me of playing with a Pinata. Our view is obscured and we desperately swing around, hoping to connect with the prize.
Except in this game, our game, the stick hits us.
Every time we connect
I became beautiful, truly beautiful, when I stopped comparing myself to impossible standards. And that isn’t arrogance, it isn’t about looks or any physicality! It is about freedom from negative body image!
I hope you will join me. I still have plenty of weight to lose, but it doesn’t define me.
It will not again. Of this I am sure.
I had to hit a very low pit to climb out and see the light. Maybe you are here. Start climbing, please…
Aside from the freedom I am living in, I appreciate all of God’s creation so much more deeply. There isn’t a woman alive whose true best assets have anything to do with physical features.
Their zest for life, giving spirit, contagious laugh, or humble and serving spirit. All unique, all beautiful. Healthy body image comes when we understand and embrace this truth.
“That’s the thing about inner beauty: unlike physical beauty, which grabs the spotlight on itself, inner beauty shines on everyone, catching them, holding them in its embrace, making them more beautiful.”― Anonymous
We are beautiful because of WHO we are, not what we look like.
That said, an ugly spirit can disfigure the most traditionally “attractive” face.
Learn to love the spirit, learn to truly recognize beauty.
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I, too, struggle with seeing myself as beautiful and not comparing myself to those around me. I struggle to accept myself and to see myself the way God sees me. I am all that HE says I am.
Not the world.
I am so glad you have found that freedom. I am searching for it, too.
How beautiful and true this is! I know breaking free of eating issues can be difficult and painful, but so freeing to see what beauty in Christ really is.
Loved this Christa. I’m sure many will resonate with it. It’s hard to go against what the world sets up, till we read that God sees beauty within. That while man looks on the outward appearance God looks at the heart. And yet, who encourages to work on heart issues? To get rid of resentments and grudges which cause premature wrinkling of the heart. Only God.
I love it when I hear a speaker and I hear her beauty loud and clear.
I love your description about how our concept of beauty changes over time as we are made more and more like Christ.
Hopping over from FMF.
I, too, struggle with seeing myself as beautiful and not comparing myself to those around me. I struggle to accept myself and to see myself the way God sees me. I am all that HE says I am.
Not the world.
I am so glad you have found that freedom. I am searching for it, too.
Ami, even after we find it perhaps it is a constant battle to keep it? The commercial side won’t give up easily 🙂
Powerful!
Thanks Amy!
How beautiful and true this is! I know breaking free of eating issues can be difficult and painful, but so freeing to see what beauty in Christ really is.
Thanks Amy!
Loved this Christa. I’m sure many will resonate with it. It’s hard to go against what the world sets up, till we read that God sees beauty within. That while man looks on the outward appearance God looks at the heart. And yet, who encourages to work on heart issues? To get rid of resentments and grudges which cause premature wrinkling of the heart. Only God.
I love it when I hear a speaker and I hear her beauty loud and clear.
Oh and I hate the “going south thing,” 🙂
Love your wise words and point of view Anne, always
Beautiful, healing words from a beautiful lady, inside and outside.