In today’s society, we are shown what the “perfect body image” is all over the media. This is typically very slim, very fit and tan model-type individuals. This can range from men and women both. Seeing these images and videos can cause those of us who view them to get low self-esteem because we don’t look like that. Some even go to drastic and life-threatening measures because they believe that is what they should look like. The Bible tells us that God views us all as beautiful individuals, and it’s inner beauty that is most important.
1. “You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” — Song of Solomon 4:7
This is saying that no matter how we see ourselves, the Bible says we are beautiful and have no flaws. This is the way that God sees us and the way He wishes we could see ourselves.
2. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” — 1 Peter 3:3-4
This is telling us that our beauty shouldn’t be focused on how we look to the outside world, but how our inner self is. We should focus more on our inner beauty and how we treat those around us. Outer beauty will fade with age, but our inner self will remain the same.
3. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” — Proverbs 31:30
A woman’s charm and beauty could cause a misinterpretation of her character and cause those around her to think she is of good intentions when she isn’t. It’s the woman who fears the Lord and follows His guidance that should be praised because she is the one more likely to be of good character.
4. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” — Psalm 139:14
We praise the Lord because He made us in His own eyes and sees us as wonderful. So when we are down on ourselves, we should try and remember that all of His works are wonderful, and we are one of His works.
5. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16
This says we should not lose heart in life because even though we are growing old and our outward appearance is fading away, our inner beauty is renewed each day with our love for Christ. This is the most important beauty in our lives.
6. “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” — Proverbs 31:10
This scripture is saying that men should strive to find a wife who is of noble character because she will be worth more than the prized possessions such as jewels. Those who are kind within could be the most beautiful people in life because inner beauty will never fade.
To those who are struggling with seeing their own beauty, turn to these scriptures on your worst days, and it may just give you the encouragement to see yourself as the beautiful being that you are. We are all our own unique beauty because we are made in God’s own way and our own individual person. I hope for myself and others that someday we can see ourselves in the way that God sees us. To help raise your self-esteem, I encourage you to surround yourself with people who never put you down and always raise you up; also, keep these scriptures handy so that you may have an easy way to look at them and read them.