We were rooming together in Ecuador. Shawna, my friend with Compassion International, pointed out a scar on my shoulder.
“You’ve been marked,” she said. She pulled her sleeve up. “We both have.”
She had melanoma. I had skin cancer. I have five scars, most of them hidden, where the doctor removed the harmful cells.
Then there’s the scars she didn’t see.
I have a significant scar where surgeons removed breast cancer at the age of 32.
I have stretch marks.
A scar across my stomach where my appendix burst.
We’re marked.
Life does that. It leaves scars and alterations.
Not too long ago I thought about my own story and for the first time in my 54 years, I thanked God for the scars of my childhood.
It’s easy to thank Him for the stretchmarks that represent my children, or the scars that shout out to the world that I’m a survivor of cancer.
But those scars of the past? I realized that they were just as beautiful.
Those scars are a mark of how beautifully God has healed me.
They reveal where Jesus’ tender touch found the wounds and made them whole.
Are you marked?
What is God whispering to you about those scars?
Suzie
Thank you Suzanne for the wonderful reminder of what is really important in the eyes of God. 🙂
Thank you so much! I have been struggling with an eating disorder and that is exactly what I needed reminded of today. It is so easy to get caught up in the “world’s” perspective of beauty versus God’s. Praise God for you being faithful!
why is it so hard for us as women to see only value in how we look? and then we see those some attributes in our daughters even though we tried to teach them differently. I am so thankful that God sees me as the “apple of His eye.” I am learning to see myself through God’s eyes
Awesome message!! Just what I needed to hear this morning. Thanks for letting God speak through you!!
My head hears what you’re saying, but my heart is having a hard time embracing it. My son turns 24 years old tomorrow, and my 50th birthday is next spring, but all I keep focusing on is my former waistline. Just like you, I’m healthy, healed of skin cancer, and even attractive “for my age” yet dissatisfied. Thank you for your message! Hopefully if I hear it enough, I will make it mine.
Thanks for the post. Wow. I’ve always struggled with body image. I’d love a copy of The Woman I am Becoming. (Hope I got that right). Thanks again!
Thank you for your insightfulness today. I was looking in the mirror today and was not to happy with what I was seeing. You open my eyes. No matter how I look, I still am God’s child. He thinks all his children are beautiful.
Thank-you for your words of wisdom. I find myself getting wiser with age too and with encouragements every morning from Proverbs 31 Ministry. Praise the Lord!
I appreciate your perspective of what is important in a woman’s mind about how she feels about herself. I wish I could keep that in my mind. I Know the truth and yet fall back into critical thinking even self hatred about my body and who I am. May we all see ourselves as God sees us-in His image.
I am amazed once again at how much the LORD spoke to me through a P31 devotion. I have two babies less than two years apart & losing the weight from them is quite the project:) To make things more difficult with the birth of my last son I struggled (am still) with PPD and the medication makes it incredibly hard to lose:(
Anyway, being as sensitive as I am I struggle with this, the problem is that I have forgetten that God loves me as I am-extra baby pounds or not. God is not as interested in those pounds as He is in my heart! I need to remember to spend time with God and make sure my heart is right, and focus first on God!
Anyway,enough rambling for now but thank you for sharing some of your life story-it was a good reminder. I am thankful for P31 devotions!
Thank you! This was an awesome devo this morning! I needed to hear this, especially today. God’s timing is amazing!
Thank you so much for your message, it really spoke to me. I am disabled and before I was I could work, work out, and exercise. My weight wasn’t perfect but was better. Now I struggle everyday with body image and this message really hit it home for me!! thank you so much for sharing your message!! Beth Milinski
Thank you for sharing, and the gentle reminder of the truth. We are made in His image and that is truly beautiful.
Suzanne,
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I have had a hard time with self-esteem all my life. I’m trying to think as myself as beautiful in the eyes of God and not what others think about me. This is just another reminder for me. Thanks, God Bless you. Jennifer
I laughed so hard when reading about catching your reflection in the mirror when 9 months pregnent with twins. I remember a day just like that oh so well……my twins were born 15 months after their older brother came into this world. My body will never be the same, but I am so grateful that my life would never be the same after being so blessed to have my three boys! Each and every day I look in the mirror and think ‘what if…my hair was thicker, I was shorter… a bit taller….feet not so big….blah, blah, blah… just outward stuff. Thank you for the reminder today, that we are wonderfully, fearfully made!
I was having ‘one of those mornings’, when I opened my email and found the daily devotional you wrote on body image. It brought tears to my eyes. I have battled with my body all of my life. My parents put me on a diet when I was in the 3rd grade and that just started the ongoing battle of hating myself. Never being thin enough, etc. From bulimia, to anorexia and back. Now I am stuck in the ‘just really hating what I see’ phase. Over the last few years I have been intentionally trying to come closer to the Lord. But, I still don’t seem to allow him into that part. I know what he says – I quote those things to my own daughter. But, I they don’t embed and implant in my heart.
I just wanted to thank you for writing the devotional. It helped me, for today, to stop worrying about how my pants fit and focus on God.
Thank you for your determination and faithfulness.
Thank you for the wonderful reminder…my husband constantly tells me how beautiful I am and for some reason I feel like I need to justify his statement by saying something negative about myself. Why is that?
It was good to be reminded today that I need to just accept his praise, be thankful that my husband actually thinks I am beautiful and that he chooses to tell me!!
Thank you so much for reminding us what REAL beauty is – the light of Christ shining in us!
Wow! I so wish I could bring you with me to talk with the women I am ministering to, and teaching skills that empower them and protect them. Your words struck home to me personally as well. Thank you so very much and may God continue to Bless your ministry to women everywhere! You are inspiring and hope giving!
What an excellent reminder for today…especially with the holidays coming up…”Christ in me, the hope of glory”. Thanks for sharing your heart…
I read your devotionals every day and send them to my daughter. They are always something we need. You are such an inspiration to women today. Thanks for all that you do. I am trying to have a closer walk with Jesus. It’s hard when you are in a marriage that your husband isn’t saved and doesn’t want to go to church. Thanks for all the inspiration you give me each and every day. I look forward to reading each devotional.
How timely that I would look at your blog today. I have been focusing on being healthy (diet/exercise) for the past 3 weeks. Our bodies are temples and we need to treat them as such. Once I know I am doing everything I can to stay fit, I have to work on just accepting myself the way that God made me. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you for the wonderful reminder of what is really important in the eyes of God!!!
I believe that God puts encouragement in our paths when we are desperate for it and that is what your devotion “Body Image” was for me. I have been divorced for 4 years this Christmas and raising the child from that marriage on my own (well, not really – I realize God is giving me the grace to do it and do it well). Since the divorce, I’ve stopped caring about how I look or thinking it matters. To some degree, outward appearance is really superficial; true beauty is within, if one has Christ as the beacon shining through. I am reminded by your article that I’m God’s child and that is reason enough to care how I appear – afterall, others are to see Him in me when they lay eyes on me; not have to work hard to see His image.
Suzie~
Great post. I came over from P31 after enjoying that one too.
My time is so consummed by how I look not how He looks in me (does that make sense??)
Thanks!!
K~
Thank you for your devotional today and your timely post. I too have scars on the inside and the out side and needed the reminder to take care of my physical and spiritual health and then my true beauty will shine through.Thanks again!
Today, I read your devotion on Encouragement for Today, about your honesty about your own body image issues. It has been my focus lately, especially since my 20 year old daughter talks about nothing but weight and her body. Thank you for reminding me that the more we get to know God, the clearer things become. We are made in his image and we are beautiful, scars and all! Thanks.
Your devo was so beautifully written and makes an awesome point. I have always been happy with my body and I work hard to keep it healthy and fit. Recently, I came off a 40-day fast (not a total fast, but a very restrictive one) and immediately put on weight. Within 7 weeks, I gained 10 pounds, which put me 7 pounds over my highest weight ever (except for pregnancy). For the first time in my life, I heard myself saying out loud that I was “fat.” In front of my children and my husband. Mostly, I did it in a joking way, but I was still verbalizing what I feared was happening to me.
And then I went crazy, excersizing very hard ever day, even though I’ve been fighting a virus.
There is such a fine line between accepting your body the way God made it and disciplining yourself to exercise and say no to the third piece of pizza. A fine line between accepting that I’m 41 (not 21) and using my age as a license to be lazy.
Jesus, help me find the balance in that.
Sandy
Amen!! Thank you for your honesty and insight. I too have had twins, 2 sets, 15 years apart. I have always had body image issues, and have tried my whole life to cover up and pretend that I didn’t. The Lord has been doing a mighty work in my life this past year and I’m beginning to embrace who I am and letting go of who I think the world wants me to be. It is very difficult. Thank you for sharing with us.
We need to always remind ourselves that we are a child of God and he does not make ugly people.
Thank you for the great reminder! How easy it is for me to forget and focus on what I think I should look like physically instead of spending the time working on my spiritual beauty!
What a great message! I am excited to read both books!
Thanks for your message today. It amazes me how many women struggle in this area of our lives. I always think it is just me. Not only was your devotional encouraging but it is also encouraging to read everyone’s comments.
Hey there. God made us and sees us from the inside/out. My husband wants to “buy me boobs” one day. Although not always this way, I’m now perfectly content with what I have. At one time in my life, I would have jumped at the chance to be “enhanced.”
Thanks for your message here, Suzanne. I think it should be posted in every girl’s restroom at every school.
We ARE fearfully and wonderfully made!
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement for today. They were just what I needed to hear! You helped me to place my focus where it should be. The desire of my heart is to reflect God’s glory in all that I say and do.
May God continue to bless your ministry as you seek to reach women.
Blessings to you!
Hey Suzie,
I so loved your post today! I am right there with you girl! Yes, we both need to remember, we are God’s Daughter!
I loved that shirt you have a picture of on here! I think I will remember that!
That Devo sounds great you are giving away! I would love it!
Thanks, as always for your educational and uplifting writing!
Have a beautiful and Blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Thank you so much for your message today! I am 13 weeks pregnant with my fourth child right now and have been thinking about the weight I should have lost after baby #3 before getting pregnant again, and trying to lose the weight after this baby is born. Thank you for the reminder that I need to look at myself through God’s eyes instead of the world’s eyes.
Thank you so much for this post! We are having family portraits taken today and I was slightly obsessed as to how I can look as beautiful as possible and bummed that I did not lose more weight! Now I can focus on what is really important…my family is healthy, we are strong, we love each other and thank the Lord for all we have been blessed with. Thank you so much!
Hi Suzie,
When I go to open my P31 Encouragement For Today emails each day I’m practically giddy because I know God has a message just for my heart. It seems to hit home every time… He’s so good like that 🙂 Anyway, this time was no different, in fact this time described me to a ‘T’! I am with you… I’m beginning to shift my view about image, I’m becoming more comfortable in my own skin and I want to be healthy! I’m almost there 🙂 I’ve got some bad habits to break, that’s clear… mental habits and eating habits. I’ve spent all the years of my life trying to do it… in my own strength… that never works does it? Lesson being learned, painfully… but clearly. God is good every day. Thank you for your post and your encouragement, it was just the boost I needed today!
As a Mom to my daughter, Kassie, I am constantly trying to point her to see her beauty in Christ. In this day it is so hard on our teenage daughters to not get caught up in how the World sees you, but how you appear to Him. I admit I sometimes fall far short of my goal, but not always modeling good body image for her. Thank you for the reminder that “scars” on our body, be them from childbirth, cancer or just walking through this World are not shameful. Each of them is a reminder that He is faithful. God Bless.
I’d love to read the book 🙂
Suzie,
Thank you for this reminder of what true beauty is. This is one problem I have dealt with for years. I have a hard time accepting compliments and feeling beautiful at times. I have learned to pray that Jesus be the pretty in me, that Jesus be the love in me and that Jesus be the compassion in me every day. Knowing that Jesus is all of this in me, I feel secure. Your message really hit home with me today.
Blessings.
Janice
The timing of your message…I am in awe of God! Thanks for your words of wisdom and truth. As women, we may at times fall victim of society’s world views on beauty. It’s at this time we need to embace in our hearts…we need to see ourselves as God see us in His image; I’m wonderfully maded. That’s true beauty.
Beauty starts within…spiritual beauty illuminates outward. The world does not understand this, as women of God we thankfully do. May God continually bless your ministry.
Thank you for a wonderful post! I am 46 and am just now learning to be ok with ME.
How do I change the way I think & feel about myself when it is so engrained in me? I used to think as I got older I should have it more together. Sometimes I get so discouraged wondering if that is ever going to happen. I just don’t want to struggle so often. Your book sounds very good. Thank you for your words today!
I have scars upon scars, but they don’t bother me. Without them I would be in pain, or might not be here. My health teeters on the brink, as a diabetic of 27 years, epileptic, allergies to everything, heart problems, I can go on, but my pastor has a phrase that has helped me. I laugh everytime I think of it. I was on crutches for a year with a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1. I would get down a lot, but one Sun. he looked at me and said, “Kathy, your just a wreck with a pretty face!” It was a compliment I haven’t forgotten, mainly because he says it often. No matter the conditions of our body, our Father loves us and cares for us. I depend on Him daily, minute by minute. He has seen me thru so many times. I will take care of what He has blessed me with. Thank you Lord!
Perfect timing as i was standing in the line at the grocery store this morning looking at all the magazines I started to tell myself…you can never look like that….you husband wishes you look like that.. once again the enemy was beating me down…I struggle so hard daily..trying to remind myself of who Iam in Christ..His Masterpiece..That I’m fearfully n wonderfully made. its as if it’s the “thorn in my side” and I’ll never “get it” but i will keep pressing in.. thank you for your encouragement on a day when only He knows and Iam reminded He loves me and cares for me no matter what!
Just last night I was observing the progression of time in my face. The laugh lines and the fact that time is showing me glimpses of my grandmother in the mirror were a little overwhelming.
Thank you for sharing and reminding me the real image of beautiful I would like to be.
May I be proud of my scars and the evidence of a life fully lived!
Wow, Suzie, you ARE beautiful!
(BTW, when you’re done w/ “Fit for My King” check out “Faithfully Fit” by Claire Clonginger & Laura Barr. I thought it was awesome!)
Me, too!!! I’ve changed my view of image, also! Weight, like too much of it, has always been a battle for me, and I’ve always compared myself to others..aarrgghh!! Just in the last 3-4 months, have I realized that I’m OK with extra fluff! God made me and I am beautiful to Him! Thank you for the “just right” devotional today! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you Suzanne, for this beautiful reminder!
It’s so hard being a woman of today. I too fight the voices that say “you’ll never look like THAT”, “if you only looked like ____!”, “[my husband] wishes I were more beautiful”. Actually, my husband would like it MORE if I had confidence in who I am and stopped comparing myself! Oh, and how much more would my Heavenly Husband like that? He longs to show me the beauty He created that is ME!
I believe that as we strive to love like Jesus, we become more and more beautiful. Mother Theresa was one of the most beautiful women in the world. I want to be more like her!
Thanks for your post! It is hard to not feel the wrong size or wrong in some other way in today’s world.
I sometimes have a difficult time finding the right things to say, but I want to thank you for this message. A negative self-image is something I have been struggling with since I was very little. I was bullied at home and at school and to my adoptive father…looks mattered. A lot. I still remember the things he would tell me; offering me money to lose weight, or telling me that I’d be prettier if I only dropped some pounds…etc… I just turned 30 this year, and I still struggle on sometimes a daily basis to see myself in a positive light.
But your message (and I may even print it out) reminds me that I am made in *His* image. Even if I am holding onto over a hundred pounds more than I need to be, God is not ashamed of me like my Earthly father is. I hope that one day, I can honestly see myself as my Father in Heaven sees me.
I agree with everyone above – thanks for taking the time to listen to God and post this message today! Body image is something I’ve struggled with as well…but secretly. Feeling fat and ugly on the outside hurts my heart on the inside. The devotional book you mentioned sounds great! Thanks for reminding me today that God made me in His image – wonderfully made!
Thank you for your much needed devotion today and your blog. I am glad to read many of the comments and realize that I am not alone. I am trying to look at myself in the mirror like God sees e but at times it is very hard!
Thank you for today’s devo. I tell my kids all the time that God made them just the way they are and not to try to fit what someone else thinks they should be but sometimes forget to remind myself that God loves me “as is.”
Thanks for the reminder Suzanne! I lost 35 lbs over 3 yrs ago and have kept it off and have continued to eat healthily and workout….yet I’m still one to pick out any and every flaw I have. Unfortunately I think it’s something many women do….let’s stop today and look at ourselves as God see us. Stop judging ourselves by the world’s view—let’s replace that with acceptance. Yes, it’s hard, but God is with us; through His strength I CAN resist the urge to compare myself to other women and I CAN resist the negative self-talk. As someone said” You can choose to be bitter or better”. I choose BETTER! 🙂
-Amy
Suzie…thank you for your words of God’s truth and not of the World’s. I’m wonderfully, uniquely, and beautifully maded by my Creator. God’s beauty is sustaining. World’s beauty is fleeting; destructive to one’s own soul.
God created every women uniquely, to His purpose and plan. If God had created every women to look like a supermodel look-a-like, God’s plan and purpose for us women would be nonexistent. We need to engrain in us…to see ourselves as God see us, beautifully and wonderfully maded. Unique! Remember, healthy body image is accepting your unique creation of God, and not of the world.
I fight everyday with the fact, I should lose 10-15 pounds off my body weight. That’s when I reinforce to myself a healthy body weight/image is more important…to see myself as God looks at me, wonderfully created. Unique design of His Hand. He is the potter, I am but the clay!
God bless this ministry,
Izzy
Thank you for reminding us that our true beauty is not just what’s on the outside, but that true beauty comes from within. We should clothe ourselves with love, kindness, and humility. God’s grace is our beauty!
Thank you for reminding me the importance of beauty within ourselves. I have noticed lines forming around different areas of my face. When I become bothered by that I remind myself God has pulled me through some very difficult times. They remind me that God loves me and I am a child of His. I bask in the glory of knowing that he has given me a beautiful amazing life.
Your devotional is one that I could really identify with today. I gave birth to twins (boy & girl) 24 years ago. My daughter is pregnant now with my 2nd grandson. I am passing this devotional on to her because we all need a little reminder about the inner beauty of being made in God’s image, especially during the latter months of pregnancy. Thanks for the encouragement for both of us!
Thank you, Father, for every comment and for the women behind those comments. Thank you for their honesty, for opening up about their struggles. Thank you for such sweet friends.
Hey ladies,
Wiping away a tear here after reading your comments. I wish I was sitting in a room with you because I have so much to say. Like, to Carol who is about to turn 50. Carol, I also struggled with that birthday. It caught me by surprise because as a cancer survivor, birthdays rock. And yet 50 was such a new number and a new season for me. It took a month after my fun skating party b-day to fully embrace that number: 50. I realized that I’m still Suzie, not a number and that every year is amazing.
And to all the moms of twins! And to the mom who had two sets of twins: I wish we could sit around and talk twins and babies, and I could hold those precious little ones since my kids are all grown up now.
Or to Jen whose adopted father held up such a high standard that she felt “less than”. I would hold up a mirror that reads “my girl” from her Heavenly Father, the One who created her and loves every aspect of who she is.
I am praying as I read, and I’m grateful that you’ve visited my blog today. I hope you come back.
Suzie
My heart is healing from some fresh wounds…loving the remembrance that every scar bears a testimony to the Healer.
Blessings,
Melinda
I have struggled with an eating disorder for the very reasons you mentioned early in the post. Thank you so much for sharing God’s word on this. I am at a point in my therapy where it is time to give it up to God and commit to seeing myself as He sees me and not the world. Thanks so much for the heartfelt reminder, that God created beauty in all of us.
Lots of comments on this one Suz! Good timing. I was just talking with a friend yesterday about a body image issue but my first desire is to be beautiful from the inside then out. Thanks for speaking from the heart!
Love you! 🙂
Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much for this post. I am having some issues with my body image. I have been struggling to lose “weight” for over a year and no matter what I did, the scale was not moving. I would look down and just feel huge and ugly. My husband is wonderful and scolds me everytime I mention it saying that I am made in the image and likness of God. Well I found out why I was having a number of problems including my body image issues. I am getting to undergo a hysterectomy at the young age of 36, for large fibroids and enlarged uterus. Your post came at the right time to remind me that none of the outer appearance things matter just my relationship with God.
Thank you! You blessed my heart.
Would love to be chosen to receive free books!
I love to read – especially when it equips our hearts and souls.
Tricia Grable
patricia.grable@wsdtx.org
or
gigglesngrace@me.com
Thank you for this great reminder, I have been starring at the 5x mirror for the past months, not liking what I see, but after reading your post it gives me inspiration of truly who I am through God’s eyes and that is much better to look at.
Thank you for this great reminder. I have struggled with an eating disorder for over 15 years and just recently gave birth to baby number 3. I have been feeling so horrible about my body and the baby weight. Thank you for reminding me that these extra pounds are a tribute to the fact that I have healthy, happy children. I wouldn’t trade that for anything! I really want to be able to see myself through God’s eyes.
Thank you Suzanne, I have also struggled with body image my whole life and at 54 am still working on believing I am beautiful to God. I would love to be lucky and win a book, they both sound great!
I am going to think of your devo every time I look in the mirror!
Hi! You are amazing! Your devotional for today was just what I needed! Thank you so much! <3
My sister and I had our youngest daughters around the same time. I was envious of how she lost all of the “baby weight” so quickly, and regained her previous slim figure, while my figure remained NOT so slim.
This only bothered me until my older daughter, who was 5 at the time, indicated that even though her aunt has gotten skinny again, she liked hugging me better because I was softer. What a compliment!
If a child can accept us as we are and even delight in our differences, we can work harder to accept ourselves as God has designed us.
I’ve been fighting my body image for years! I still have my “baby” fat too. Thank you for reminding that our true beauty comes from the inside out. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Grace
Wow, what a nice read. I used to always believe that I was to “fat” and never accepted my body. You see, I was sexually abused when I was 6 yrs old! But, when Christ saved me, this was one of the things that He helped me see that this is the way He made me, that this is the way He knitted me in my mothers womb! I was blessed to know that my Father in Heaven loved me this way, this is the way He made me. Thank you for sharing this! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! <3
My self image has been in question my entire life. I had an abusive childhood in which both of my parents seemed to take delightful pleasure in seeing which one of them could break my spirit first. I have been told (when modeling a new outfit to my dad) that I looked just the same to him, fat and ugly. If one of my parents friends took an interest in me by asking questions about school, hobbies, etc…my mother would jerk me up by my arm and very harshly let me know that no one is interested in hearing anything I have to say, especially if it was about me.
I have done all of the abusive things to my body in the past, in order to be “acceptable” and that’s even with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Medicine.
I managed to keep my “desired” figure until I gave birth to two boys who each developed multiple medical problems. My youngest son is a 24 hr/day commitment as he is autistic, a very brittle type I diabetic, has a seizure disorder, and in September of 2006, he slipped out of the house when no one was looking only to be found minutes later in our neighbors pool. He was blue, had no pulse, or respiration. I performed CPR and watched water pour out of my baby’s lungs. My husband, at the time, blamed my older son, who was 9 at the time and packed up and left. The oxygen deprivation caused a condition called dysautonomia which makes Riley’s diabetes impossible to control and interferes with his ability to control his body temperature which dropped to 71 degrees, and no that’s not a typo.
I have applied for assistance in taking care of Riley but was always met with a closed door. I finally did get approved for 14 hours of nursing help a week. I’ve been sleep deprived for over 3 years as Riley has to be medically assessed at least every two hours.
God has recently provided an approval for 10 nursing care 7 days a week, respite hours, and extra help for when I have my shoulder surgery that I’ve been putting off for over a year.
Needless to say, not being able to leave home and being exhausted constantly has caused a decline in my health which includes an unhealthy amount of weight gained. I desire to be able to look at myself and know that I am beautiful, I want to be healthy, and I want God to be the center of the process.
Thanks so much for sharing your story! I know there will be a way provided so that God’s image of me will be the center of my identity.
I needed to hear this today! I have been trying to lose weight for a few weeks now and keep ending in the same place where I started. I was very discouraged yesterday and when I read the devotion today I loved it! I have been spending so much time focusing on what to eat and not to eat that I’ve actually not been paying attention to all the blessings around me every day right here in my home! Thank you for the much needed reminder!
Thank you for such grace-filled thoughts! I have a 10-month-old son and just this week am celebrating losing the 52 pounds I gained while pregnant with him. But there is still quite a bit “extra” to go, and it is easy to be discouraged. Thank you for refocusing my perspective on the meaning of true beauty in God’s eyes!
Thanks for your devotion. It was just what I needed at this time in my life. I have a big 60 birthday coming up and all I see are new wrinkles and getting discouraged. Your reminder of what is really beautiful in life has helped me get over my pity party.
God Bless
This is my first visit to your blog, and I love it! I was referred from the Proverbs 31 Ministry. I will turn 50 in 13 months, so age has definitely been on my mind. Thank you for the reminder to be GRATEFUL for the story that each wrinkle tells.
I have been struggling with this issue all my life. I’ve been having a very crummy (earthly) day. I needed your words of encouragement so very much today. This too shall pass. In light of eternity, none of this will matter, none the less stress levels are at a boiling point and I needed your sweet words reminding me of who I am and who I need to turn to. Thank you for allowing yourself to be a vessel God can use to encourage others.
Wow – I so needed this today! I am really struggling with the whole body image thing right now. I stalled out after losing just a fraction of what I really need to lose weight-wise. I also have a nasty skin condition – on my face! It’s being treated (not very successfully or quickly) by a dermatologist, but every time I look in the mirror, I feel SO UGLY! Thanks for the reminder of where true beauty lies.
I would LOVE to have both of those books you’ve mentioned!!
Thank you so much for this! I’m 38 and I struggle with my whole image! From the cellulite on my legs (even though I work out) to the adult acne that I suffer from to the wrinkles that are beginning to form. This reminds me to quit focusing on what I can do to change the outside and start focusing on what I can do to change the inside! A relationship w/ my Savior should be what I focus on and not what the world says is most important!!
Thanks for the devotional on Encouragement For Today. I need to just get over some things about my body! I didn’t get this old without some scarring!
This devotional is wonderful. I am a single mom at 48 and was just telling a friend today “Who would want to be with me when I have all the stretch marks from having babyies?” Your words are so encouraging and true. I look forward to hearing from you everyday. And I would like to add that you are beautiful and a great light in my life. Thank you for keeping me focused on the Lord and what is important.
Yes, even i went through this phase. Every day when i look at myself
in the mirror, i tell myself what i see outward is not important to God. It what we are inside that matters to him most. Thanks for sharing
I don’t even know what to say, just that I look forward to heaven when we are all perfect. Sometimes the days are almost too long and the day when I will be accepted ‘as is’ can’t come soon enough. To be loved like Christ loved his church. To feel beautiful, to be wanted and needed. It’s hard to raise your children to feel confident in who they are when secretly you despise your own appearance. I feel like a fake. But I try.
Thanks for reminding us all of this much-overlooked truth! Every day I struggle (and I have this gut feeling most women would agree) with my appearance. I long to be beautiful, and I define beauty as an outward thing. So, thanks, and blessings to you!
Loved the verses you used in the devotional. They spoke to me. B
Thanks for reminding me how God sees me. I’m so thankful that God looks at our heart instead of the outside. People shouldn’t judge other people like they do. Everyone should love theirselves. God made us all beautiful!
God’s timing is amazing! Thank you!
I really appreciate your devotional and your blog! I have struggled with self-esteem issues since I was in middle school, and now as a young adult I see how these issues are still affecting me. I have just gotten married, with a busy schedule, and I have gained a little weight (my husband is fine with it, since he has gained some also lol). It’s not really noticeable, but I can tell because I cannot fit my favorite jeans anymore :-(. I have to find time to exercise, and I must discipline myself to eat healthier (pizza every week is probably not helping). But no matter what I look like, it is reassuring to know that GOD will always love me and is proud of all of the breakthroughs I have had in my relationship with Him!
Brenda is the winner of the Fit for a King book (I emailed you Brenda). Jen is the winner of The Woman I Am Becoming! (I emailed you as well, Jen).
Thanks, ladies. This discussion has given me insight into the pressures we face on this topic. I pray that we can look inside and find hope, healing, joy, peace, tenderness, and most of all a deep sense of who we are to God. You are beautiful!
Thank you so much for such a great reminder that I am who I am! We really need to accept ourselves for who we are and know that God looks at us as who we really are (on the inside, as well). We sometimes need to be reminded of this- Great blog post! As a society we have much work to do in the department of body image. God loves us for who we are!
This is something I need to remind myself of daily–God thinks I’m beautiful. How sad we must make Him when we concentrate on our physical flaws instead of the beauty He sees in us. Thank you for this devotional today. It was much needed-especially right before Thanksgiving!
I think when you go through health issues you are just thankful to be alive. The scars and the imperfections don’t matter as much as the ability to walk, see, and breathe!
I want to be pretty. I want to look as good as I can but I also want a healthy balance of accepting my imperfections. I’m constantly working on that and praying I can pass that mindset on to my two girls.
This subject is heavy on my heart…God’s word says we are worthy. God’s word says we are valuable. God’s word says we are beautiful. God’s word says we are wonderfully made. It has taken me so long to understand these truths. I spent years raveled up in an eating disorder, trying to display the perfect image to the world so that I could hide the turmoil inside of me. I am so grateful that I allowed God to pull me out of the pit I was in and realize how much God loves us!!!! Thank you for your post!
I loved it!!! I can’t wait to read it again.
Suzie. There’s more truth in your post than you realize. Society is making we women believe we need to look a certain way to be accepted. God accepts us for who we are and right where we are.
Thank You Father for giving this reminder of YOU and that we’re fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image. I pray everyone has an awesome God filled Thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Wow! This is such a timely post- God’s timing. I am totally going through a “God make-over” right now, letting God get rid of the stuff I carry around that He didn’t design me to carry and allowing Him to speak His image into me. It is taking tears, openness, forgiveness and an open mind but it is so worth it! Thanks for the chance for the giveaways and thanks for sharing your story! You have blessed me.
Blessings,
Amy
Hi Suzie, I’ve had body issues all my life. You may remember a certain boyfriend I had who used to refer to me as his elephant… lovingly of course. It is hard to go through life feeling different. Now at the age of 50 I don’t feel so different from others my age. 50 year olds come in a very diverse range of body forms. What I feel now is unhealty. Food is my demon. I can’t give over to God this part of my life, as much as I’ve tried. Satan lives in my taste buds. Pray for obedience to God’s command to treat my body as His temple. I want to be healthy to move into this second stage of my life. Thank you for your ispiration and encouragement. -Becky Young Kirk
Thank you for these wise words. I’ve also been “marked.” Only mine was in the middle of my forehead for all the world to see, plus 4 c-section scars for no one but my hubby to see! 😉
Suzie,
I have many, many emotional scars from the past, and also recent wounds which God has for the past 8 years been working to heal in me. Some go very, very deep, but His healing is going just as deep, and though it hurts, it’s a wonderful thing. He is so faithful!
What is God whispering to you about those scars? That He is enough. I am a work in progress, but I am getting there.
A few weeks ago my brother and sister-in-law prayed over me, and my brother prayed, “Lord, you have chosen this life for Meggie…” Somehow it had never occurred to me before that in His plan He would lead me to single parenting and single moms ministries because of my past hurts, and because of the scars I carry. God has opened my eyes to the pain in the pews, in the community around me.
He has healed me, and He is my praise!
Thank you for this blog post, Suzie! Sending you my love and praying God’s blessing over you!
I am a breast cancer survivor as well and when I was going through treatment I realized that I had a choice to either let my scars speak of my pain or of His glory. I made a decision that day to let them speak glory. It isn’t always easy and I don’t always get it right but most day…most days..I remember to let them speak of His glory and His goodness. He is so good to me.
calories in applesauce cup