I’ve been thinking about how self-image has become such an important issue in our society. It seems an entire generation is in bondage to low self-esteem. The most often performed surgical procedure in our nation is cosmetic surgery. Diets to help get us to the ‘perfect size’ seem to be everywhere. The attention paid to how perfectly our eyes, noses, chin, and other body parts look is amazing. The pressure to look perfect has distress to the hearts of many. This pressure has caused so much pain to both men and women, but women in particular. A good looking celebrity appears on T.V. and immediately we begin to compare ourselves with how they look and feel pressure to look like they look. When we realize that we can’t, an inward disgust with our physical appearance starts to arise.

This self-image crisis has caused an emotional meltdown to so many. Shame comes into our hearts. We cannot be who God called us to be because somehow we think He made a mistake in how He made us. Then we sit in our pain because we don’t look like we think we should. Young girls cut themselves and mutilate their bodies because of the pain. The pain inside of them seems to grow so intensely that cutting seems to be the only way to release it. They want to be accepted so badly that it drives them to crazy limits.

My prayer for you is found in Psalm 139:14 – I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well.

The key to self-esteem is realizing no one has the perfect body, face, hair, nose, or eyes. But God made you the way you are. I’m convinced that true beauty has more to do with attitude than attributes.

Beloved, God wants you to change how you think about yourself. A friend of ours, Heather Costaras, has started a project to help women improve their self-image. You can visit this web site at:

www.beautifullifeproject.com