Guest post by Sarah Kidd
I just want to give a shout out to you girls…
I care for you. I may not speak up much or dig deep into your lives, but I watch and listen and see quite a bit. I feel for you and pray for you. You face a tough world — a world full of criticism and expectation and lies. And I just want you to know, you can choose: you can choose what you focus on, you can choose who you listen to; you can choose what you fill your heart and mind with day in and day out.
There is more to you than your image or sex appeal. There is more to you than shiny hair or a great body or an impeccable make-up routine. There is more to you than your style or the cool things you own or the crowd you hang out with. You are a beautiful human being with a strong mind and a big heart and a hungry soul. You can love and do and be so much more than pretty or sexy or popular. You are not just a body on display, you are somebody.
And God loves you and wants to do amazing things in you and through you.
There is beauty in humility. There is beauty in selfless love. There is beauty in serving others. There is beauty in a life that rises above the expected to do the unexpected.
Do not be afraid to be different. Do not be afraid to challenge the norm by being “abnormal”. You can never win in the games of comparison or trying to be perfect or just wanting to fit in. As soon as you are up-to-date, the newest thing outdates you. If you are constantly changing yourself just to please people, you will find that the one person who isn’t pleased is you. Feed your soul. Examine your heart. Nurture your mind. And let the wholeness and satisfaction and health within you be what truly shines. God loves you.
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
“For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
Need more convincing? Read Psalm 139.
A note from the Goal Accomplished Team:
Thank you to Sarah for a fantastic article! We would also like to recommend these books.