I've been thinking lately about how many people struggle with their image. Whether it's their weight or their appearance, so many people doubt themselves. It's heartbreaking. God created us in His like and image and we can't let society overcome His word with negative comments.

In 1 Samuel 16:7 it states:

"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

I'm speaking to both men and women when I say, LISTEN TO THIS. TAKE IT IN. The scripture says, "but the Lord looks at the heart." Outward appearance does not matter to God. He does not look at the body art you have or that you decided to lose 10 pounds. He looks within at your heart and loves every inch of you.

Struggling with self-love myself, listening to this scripture verse and really dissecting it is hard. I always feel like I'm not pretty enough or that I am not skinny enough. But God does not determine His love for you by your appearance but of your inside.

He loves you no matter your race, sexuality, or gender.

Proverbs 31:25 states:

"She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."

YOU are beautiful no matter what and God will love you up until the day you join Him in heaven and until eternity.

You can't love someone else unless you learn how to love yourself. You need to learn to listen to God and his word on how you are beautiful in every way. Self-love is, in fact, the best love because God helps us understand that.

"Self-love is the air beneath the wings of all of our relationships." - Elin Stebbins Waldal